The town is perhaps best known for the annual Royal Regatta, which attracts some of the world´s finest rowers. Other annual events such as the Henley Festival of Music and Arts and Henley Food Festival also attract thousands of people. New to Henley in 2007 was the Henley Literary Festival. And new to the town this year will be the Henley Fringe Festival. Henley is really turning in to a great place for festivals. Also very popular is the Thames Traditional Boat Rally in July.
Just a few strides from the riverbank is the very heart of Henley with its historic church, town hall and market square, the latter bustling with busy stall-holders and shoppers on market days. Henley has a monthly Farmers' Market with great local produce. We sometimes have Continental Markets as well.
Attractions include the award-winning River and Rowing Museum (where statues of Olympians Sir Steve Redgrave and Sir Matthew Pinsent greet visitors), boat trips by Hobbs, a 15th Century Chantry House, Mill Meadows, the Thames Path and the fourth oldest working theatre in the country, the Kenton. Just a short drive away,attractions such as Stonor Park, Greys Court and Mapledurham House and Watermill.
Henley has a thriving sports scene with rugby, football, hockey and cricket clubs. These clubs also have very popular junior sections for the youth of Henley. Henley has two good golf clubs near to the town centre, Henley GC and Badgemore Park GC. We also have very popular Scouts, Brownie and Guide groups, all with waiting lists.
Henley is a great place to come for a drink or a bite to eat. Both in the town centre and in the villages nearby we have some great pubs and restaurants with superb food. Henley was famous for its Brakspear's Brewery, which sadly no longer brews in the town. The old brewery is now home to the Hotel du Vin, and they have done a great jon in conversion. We do have three local brewers, Loddon, Lovibonds and rebellion in nearby Marlow.
Just completed has been a major refurbishment of our local sports centre at Gillotts School. Run by Soll Leisure we now have a sports centre and swimming pool that the town can be proud of. Henley is very popular with walkers and cyclists. There are plans to connect Henley to the National Cycle Route 4, run by Sustrans.
Henley, like many market towns, does have its traffic problems. These were exaggerated this year by major roadworks, a new traffic system and new pavements being laid! The traffic is a lot better now but we do suffer from idling cars. At the moment there is a campaign underway to improve the air quality of the town. Please see www.henleyairquality.com
