Page 89 - (DK Eyewitness) Back Roads Travel Guide - Great Britain

DRIVE 7: Through the Chilterns 87

7 Henley-on-Thames
Oxfordshire RG9 2EB
In its leafy setting on the Thames, this Georgian market town, famous
for its July Royal Regatta, offers a mix of the historical and fashionable.
A graceful 18th-century, five-arched bridge spans the river – a dynamic
and defining presence; beautiful, recreational and a haven for wildlife.

A one-hour walking tour fun Wind in the Willows Gallery.
From the car park, walk down Market Children will be enchanted by the
Street and cross Bell Street to Hart models of Mr Toad, Ratty, and Mole,
Street, dominated by the red brick faithful to the illustrations of Ernest
Victorian Town Hall 1, built in 1901. Shepard. Retrace the route to turn
Walk down Hart Street to the Church left onto Friday Street and right onto Above The 16th-century Church Loft with
of St Mary 2 with its 16th-century Duke Street, noticing Tudor House original clock, West Wycombe Below Old
stone and flint tower. The stucco 6, a venerable-looking antiques’ Granary, Henley-on-Thames
almshouses to the west date from shop – actually a pastiche built in
1830 and the red brick 1934. Cross Hart Street EAT AND DRINK
ones on the east were and go down Bell
originally built in the Street, where, on the AROUND WEST WYCOMBE
1660s and rebuilt in left, is the Bull Inn 7, Bull and Butcher moderate
This 16th-century real-ale pub, in
1884. Beside them is one of the oldest inns Turville near Fingest on the route
the Grade I listed Henley-on-Thames in Henley, with walls to Henley-on-Thames, serves dishes
16th-century Chantry House, sign up to a metre (3 ft) thick. It is such as rib-eye steak, cod in batter
overlooking the churchyard rumoured to be haunted by and hearty puddings.
Turville, RG9 6QU (9 km/5 miles from
(with Dusty Springfield’s grave) and the ghost of a young woman. Turn West Wycombe); 01491 638 283;
the river. At the bottom of Hart Street right onto New Street to pass the www.thebullandbutcher.com
look across the bridge (built in 1786) Kenton Theatre 8 (01491 575 698;
to the headquarters of the Henley www.kentontheatre.co.uk), opened HENLEY-ON-THAMES
Royal Regatta to the left and the in 1805, and the former Brakspear’s The Three Tuns inexpensive
Leander Club – the world’s oldest Brewery, opened in 1779 and now Warm town centre pub with a popular
pie menu, plus excellent beer.
rowing club – to the right. Turn right the Hotel du Vin. Turn right again 5 Market Place, RG9 2AA; 01491 4100
for a saunter down Thames Side, onto Riverside and once more, onto 138; www.threetunshenley.co.uk
passing the half-timbered Old Hart Street to return to the car park. Loch Fyne Bar and Grill moderate
Granary 3, located on the corner To extend the walk, follow the This popular restaurant and oyster bar,
of Friday Street. Next, go past the Thames Path from Thames Side part of a small chain, serves fresh and
Hobbs of Henley Boatyard 4, a south for 3 km (2 miles), crossing smoked fish, shellfish and meat options.
good place to start a motor launch the river at Marsh Lock to Shiplake. 20 Market Place, RG9 2AP; 01491 845
780; www.lochfyneseafoodandgrill.co.uk
trip or a cruise along the river. Head Or cross the bridge and walk 3 km
down Meadow Road to the River (2 miles) north to Hambleden Lock. AROUND HENLEY-ON-THAMES
and Rowing Museum 5 (open daily; For more walks and information, visit St George & Dragon moderate
01491 415 600; www.rrm.co.uk) with its www.nationaltrail.co.uk/thames-path. Cross the river and go south on A321
for 5 km (3 miles) to this riverside pub
offering pizzas, sandwiches and more.
High Street, Wargrave, RG10 8HY; 01189
Kenton 0 metres 250 404 474; www.stgeorgeanddragon.co.uk
K I N G S R OA D Bull N E W S T R E E T Thames R E M E N H A M L A N E 0 yards 250
Theatre
Inn
Church of
St Mary
Victorian
B E L L S T
Town Hall H A R T S T
G R A V E L H I L L DUKE ST W H I T E H I L L
Tudor House Old Granary
FR I DAY ST
Hobbs of
Henley Boatyard
STATIO N ROAD
G R E Y S R O A D R E A D I N M E A D O W R O A D W A R G R A V E R O A D
Thames
River and
Rowing Museum
S T . M A R K S R O A D G R O A D
Eat and Drink: inexpensive, under £25; moderate, £25–£50; expensive, over £50
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