Henley-on-Thames



Henley-on-Thames is a town on the River Thames in South Oxfordshire, England. Henley is perhaps most famous as the home of the well-known international rowing tournament, the Henley Royal Regatta, held each year in late June and early July.

(NB: Henley-on-Thames should not be confused with Henley-in-Arden.)

By train
is the terminus of a railway branch line that joins the main Reading to London line at Twyford; however most branch line trains continue on to Reading. There are also direct services to London Paddington at peak times taking about 45 minutes. Train times can be found on the National Rail Planner or by calling 0845-748-4950 from anywhere in the UK.

By car
Henley-on-Thames is served by the M4 motorway which runs from London to South Wales. It is about 35 miles/40 minutes from Central London. The best junction to use is 8/9. Being close to the M4 this makes places like Reading, Bracknell, Wokingham, Windsor, Maidenhead, Slough, High Wycombe and Basingstoke all within easy reach. Henley is also located 20 miles from the M3 Motorway junction at Basingstoke. This allows fast access to Winchester and Southampton. When the M3 ends near Southampton it joins onto the M27 motorway for quick and easy access to Portsmouth and Bournemouth.

By plane
Henley-on-Thames is well served by Southern Eastern England's collection of airports and is actually under the flight-path of Heathrow. For travellers coming directly to Henley-on-Thames, the most convenient (in reducing order of convenience) are:
 * Heathrow Airport is about 20 miles/25 minutes drive straight down the M4 (westbound) motorway. Alternatively it is linked directly to Reading rail station by the RailAir express bus service running every 20 minutes or so and taking about 1 hour. Indirectly, by the Heathrow Connect train service (change at Hayes) take about 55 minutes.
 * Southampton Airport is about 45 miles/50 minutes drive away down the M3 motorway. Alternatively there is a service from Reading direct to Southampton Airport taking about 1 hour.
 * Gatwick Airport is about 55 miles/60 minutes drive away via the M23 (northbound), M25 (clockwise) and M4 (westbound) motorways. There is a through train service to Reading from a rail station in the airport terminal complex, running twice an hour and taking an hour.
 * Luton Airport is about 60 miles/70 minutes drive away via the M1 (southbound), M25 (westbound) and M4 (westbound) motorways. Luton Airport Parkway connects the airport to Kings Cross station every 35 minutes, the tube to London Paddington station.
 * Stansted Airport is about 75 miles/90 minutes drive away via the M11 (southbound), M25 (anti-clockwise) and M4 (westbound) motorways. By train you will need to catch a Stanstead Express train to London Liverpool Street station, the tube to London Paddington station.

By bus
Hurley Link 239 provides a service from Hart Street to Frascati Way, Maidenhead.

Arriva 800/850 stops at various points in the town from Reading to High Wycombe.

By boat
The nearest major ferry port to Henley-on-thames is Harbour''' which is located next to the city of Portsmouth. Destinations from Portsmouth include the Channel Islands, France, Spain and the Isle of Wight. It is about 65 miles/80 minutes straight down the M3 and M27 motorways.

Henley-on-Thames also has numerous boat trips along the River Thames to the nearby towns of Reading and Windsor.

By taxi
Minicabs which must be ordered by phone or app, Henley Taxi Services, & Chiltern Cars are the most popular services.

Get around
All locations in and around the town are walkable or drivable. During the Regatta, the Thames is teeming with classical launches, which are available for booking well in advance of events.

Buy
The town centre is a fairly typical one with most of your high street favourites.

Eat
Hart Street and Market Place, which run inland from the river at Henley Bridge are lined with restaurants, cafes and pubs.



Phone
Henley's area code is 01491 when dialed from within the UK or +441491 from outside the UK.

Stay safe
The town has a moderate amount of crime and antisocial behaviour which mainly occurs at night.

Go next
There are nice walks for people along the River Thames, to places like Reading, Maidenhead and Windsor and many lighter walks for people looking for a short pleasant walk.


 * North East to High Wycombe on the A4155 and A404.
 * West to Maidenhead on the A4130 or  along the Thames River path.
 * North West to Oxford on the A4130 and A4074 or  along the Thames River path.