FLOATING DOWN THE RIVER

There are four sections of river bank available for boats. On the north bank, downstream of the lock and opposite Rod Eyot Islands, there is a stretch available alongside the park, useful for those with children. These have recently been repaired and have rings fitted. There are also rings in the moorings on the opposite bank downstream of the bridge. These two sections are the best for those who prefer to be within walking distance of the town.

For most of the year Henley is a comparatively quiet market town but that all changes in the first week of July. Henley Royal Regatta is an event that brings visitors from all over the world to the town. International crews compete, international visitors come to join in the social spectacle that is inextricably part of the regatta, and occasionally they may even watch the races.

The regatta developed from simple beginnings. In 1829 crews from Oxford and Cambridge Universities held their first boat race between Henley and Hambleden. Ten years later the first regatta proper was held. The event grew in popularity and importance, especially when Prince Albert became its patron in 1851 allowing it to be upgraded to the Henley Royal Regatta.

Originally it was a two day event with the course being from above Temple Island to the bridge. In 1906 it became a four day regatta followed in 1924 by the cutting of the new one and a half mile straight course. In 1986 the regatta was extended to five days to enable several events to be included, with the Grand Challenge Cup for eights being the most prized trophy. The races now start from Temple Island and end by Phyllis Court. The course takes approximately seven minutes to cover, so that most days there are two races taking place on the course with 5 minutes between each start.

Preparation starts many weeks earlier with grandstands and large entertainment marquees being erected on the river banks and booms laid to separate the race course from a narrow navigation channel in the river itself. Immediately prior to the event the swans are removed to a safe sanctuary, whilst during the days of the regatta itself caterers are kept busy supplying the many visitors, who arrive in their finery, with food and drink.

The Leander Club itself dates as far back as 1818 and prides itself on being the oldest and most prestigious rowing club in the country. Members can be recognised by the pink ties and socks that they wear and by the pink blades of their oars and sculls.

Opposite Fawley Court on a small island Sambrooke Freeman asked the designer James Wyatt to erect a summer house based on the design of a classical temple. This is now known as Temple Island, the elegant starting point of the Henley Regatta Races. It was completed in 1771.

The island was acquired on lease by the Regatta Stewards in 1987. They set about the challenging task of restoring the building. When we first saw the folly it was painted white and was visible from a long way upstream. The layers of whitewash were removed to reveal the original decorative features and the building has now reverted to a more subtle cream. However it still remains as a distinctive focal point as one looks down river and sees the folly 'dramatically set against a background of graceful trees.'(Cecil Roberts 1935)

This architecturally impressive building was designed by David Chipperfield and was officially opened by the Queen, arriving by boat, in 1998.

In its early development the town grew around a few roads which led down to the river, which was so important for trade and travel. One of these, Hart Street is probably the oldest and was once the main street. Because of our name, we wondered if it was named after a family of Harts, but it appears to be named after the Old White Hart pub. This was the oldest known pub in Henley, but it is pointless looking for it, for despite its history, it had been in existance since about 1429, sadly the brewers Brakspears closed it in 1996.

Looking up Hart street

Looking down Hart street

The Parish church of St Mary the Virgin is to be found at the river end of Hart Street. It is thought to date back to 1204, though parts have been altered and added to over the centuries. The tower, made from flint and stone, was built in 1540. It is 118 feet high.

To one side of the church, through the churchyard, can be found the Chantry House. A chantry house was one that was built to house the Chantry Priests who were paid to sing masses for the salvation of souls.There are doubts as to whether this particular building was used for such a purpose, it has been known as the Chantry House only since the end of the 19th century. however it is thought to date from about 1400.

Despite the doubts it is an interesting building to look at. From the churchyard it has two storeys whereas from inside the courtyard of the Red Lion Hotel there are three storeys, the extra storey being the lowest floor.

Also in the churchyard are two sets of Almhouses.Of the row of brick almhouses, ten were funded by Humphrey Newberry in 1664 and four by Mrs Ann Messenger in 1669. Due to disrepair all were rebuilt in the middle of the 19th century.

Bishop Longland's Almshouses are to found on the north side of the churchyard. This white stuccoed building was moved here in 1830 from its original position near the Angel Inn where they had been built in 1547. at that time the elderly men and women who lived in them would receive fourpence a week towards their upkeep.

Going up Hart Street will lead to Falaise Square (formerly the Market Place) which is dominated by the Town Hall. This is a comparatively new ediface having been built in 1901 to celebrate Queen Victoria's Diamond Jubilee. The Town Hall houses the helpful Tourist Information Centre.

New Street lies parallel to Hart Street. Here can be found the Kenton Theatre which claims to be the fourth oldest in England. It's first performance was held in November 1805, however from 1632-1790 the building was in use as a Workhouse.

On the opposite side of the road is the site of the brewery itself. Brakspear's Brewery, which closed in 2002, was the last of many Henley breweries. It had been in existance since 1779 and supplied the many pubs in Henley and the surrounding area.

As important as the river in the development of the town, is of course the Bridge. The present attractive stone bridge was built in 1786 to the design of architect William Hayward of Shrewsbury. Stone was used from Headington Quarry near Oxford. For 87 years until it was paid for, it was a toll bridge.

This is only a brief glimpse of what can be seen in Henley. There is much more, so a leisurely walk around the town can be a rewarding exercise. For those not interested in the architecture and history then there are many shops, especially for clothes and antiques, there are restaurants and of course numerous pubs where the local Brakspear beer can be sampled.