Henley-on-Thames
Henley-on-Thames (Oxfordshire, UK), is a small market town of roughly 11,000 people, and is located 35 miles west of London between the cities of Oxford (northwest) and Reading (south). The town lies at the foot of the Chiltern Hills where the river Thames is crossed by a stone bridge (1786). The town was originally founded as a 'river port' for the shipping of grain and timber to London as upstream was unnavigable. |
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The old town was incorporated in 1526, has a medieval church (St. Marys) and a wide market street flanked by Georgian buildings. The town serves as a shopping centre for the modern riverside resort and residential town. Henley is probably most famous for the Henley Royal Regatta, which dates from 1839 and is visited annually in July by international oarsmen, and Brakspears Beer.
The town parades a stylish range of places to eat, including tea rooms and cafes, traditional pubs and restaurants with English, continental and world cuisine on offer. The tempting array of independent shops and boutiques is complemented by shops, such as Waitrose, Tesco, WH Smith and Boots, catering for everyday needs.
The town is well positioned for both travel and commuting – Henley is within 9 miles of the M4 and M40 providing access to Oxford, Reading, London and the M25. Heathrow Airport is 25 miles east of Henley and Gatwick is easily accessible.
The town also has a railway station with regular services to London Paddington, Reading and Oxford.
To find out more on Henley-on-Thames simply visit www.henleyonthames.org
Henley Royal Regatta
The regatta (HRR) is an annual five-day event of rowing races and social gatherings. The regatta is held in the first week in July and was established in 1839. In 1851 Prince Albert became its patron and gave the event its "royal" prefix. Regattas modelled after Henley Royal Regatta (HRR) are also held in America, Canada and Australia.
Construction of the 'tent village' of HRR starts in mid-April. The site is situated over the bridge from the main centre of Henley and consists broadly of five different areas; the boat tents (closest to the bridge), a Stewards' Enclosure which is next to the boat tent area and at the finish of the course, the General Enclosure just downstream of the Stewards' Enclosure, the start complex at Temple Island and the Hospitality tents which are located across the river from the General Enclosure.
The races are held on the longest naturally straight stretch of river in Britain and the regulation course distance is 1 mile 550 yards (2,100 m; Henley Royal Regatta Bye-Laws). The most significant of the traditional Henley races are the Grand Challenge Cup, the oldest (established in 1839), which usually attracts the world's finest eights (crews using eight oars), and the Diamond Challenge Sculls (1844), one of the world's top single sculls events (one man, two oars).
Besides being a rowing event the regatta is also a social gathering and this has its own particular rules and customs. Of interest is the dress code associated with the Stewards' Enclosure. The Enclosure enforces a strict code in which woman must wear dresses with hems below the knee and men must wear jacket, collar and tie. The enclosure contains four bars, a luncheon and tea tent, and two stands. To enter the enclosure, unless you are a Steward or Stewards' Enclosure Member, you will require a Steward's Enclosure Member Guest Badge. These can be bought either from the Regatta or from members, in either case they are usually difficult to obtain. The General Enclosure has a more relaxed approach to dress, contains a bar and a small stand, and tickets can be purchased at the gate.
Further information about Henley Royal Regatta can be found at The Henley Royal Regatta Home Page - www.hrr.co.uk.
After the five day regatta event the site is then used for The Henley Arts Festival - www.henley-festival.co.uk