
What is Henley-on-Sea famous for?
Henley is most famed for the Henley Royal Regatta, or the Henley Regatta as it was once known. The grand event is held every year on the River Thames and has been running since 1839. It takes place on the first week of July and is five days of rowing races and socialising.
Who is Henley?
William Ernest Henley, (born Aug. 23, 1849, Gloucester, Gloucestershire, Eng.—died July 11, 1903, Woking, near London), British poet, critic, and editor who in his journals introduced the early work of many of the great English writers of the 1890s. Son of a Gloucester bookseller and a pupil of the poet T.E.
What did William Henley do for art?
Restored to active life, Henley edited The Magazine of Art (1882–86), in which he championed the artists James McNeill Whistler and Auguste Rodin, and worked on the Encyclopædia Britannica. He became editor of the Scots Observer of Edinburgh in 1889. The journal was transferred to London in 1891 and became the National Observer.
What is Henley's famous poem?
William Ernest Henley (23 August 1849 – 11 July 1903) was a British poet, writer, critic and editor in late Victorian England. Though he wrote several books of poetry, Henley is remembered most often for his 1875 poem " Invictus ".
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What is Henley-on-Thames known for?
Henley-on-Thames is renowned for its rowing regattas attracting competitors and visitors from across the country and around the world to the beautiful riverside town. Henley's regattas really are a wonderful way to experience the beauty of the Thames and the spectacle of the British at play.
Is it worth visiting Henley-on-Thames?
Things to do in Henley-on-Thames Its historic St Mary's Church, the Town Hall, the market square, many local shops, plus its own theatre/cinema, mean Henley is a delightful place for mooching about. Best known for its annual Royal Regatta, Henley attracts some of the world's finest rowers.
Is Henley a good area?
Henley-on-Thames was voted by The Times as one of the best places to live in the country. A market town idyllically situated on one of the most beautiful and famous stretches of river in the world combines the tranquillity of the surrounding Chiltern landscape with an active and thriving local community.
Who is Henley-on-Thames named after?
Henley was a Saxon stronghold. The name Henley is thought to come from two Saxon words: Hen (old) and Ley (place or clearing). Since 1839 the town has played host, during the first week of July, to the world famous Henley Royal Regatta, one of the highlights of the British sporting and social calendar.
Can you swim in Henley?
Henley itself may be better know for rowing, but remains a popular swimming destination – further east, you can get in the water near Hurley Lock and Marlow Lock. Indeed, the Henley to Marlow stretch forms the Thames Marathon, a 14km jaunt down river that challenges the strongest of swimmers.
Can you walk along the river at Henley?
Henley is an easy town to walk around and there are some attractive short walks along the River Thames.
Is Henley or Marlow nicer?
Marlow is probably more village-y. If you're after a bit more infrastructure then Henley is probably your best bet. I prefer Henley (DP's family are from Marlow - it's nice, but has grown out of a convenient size) - but CMOT is right about the single road being an absolute nightmare.
What's it like to live in Henley in Arden?
Henley-in-Arden has been named one of the top places to live in the UK, according to Muddy Stilletos, The Urban Guide To The Countryside. The series details the 200 best places to live as decided by public vote and it seems that the commuter town of Henley-in-Arden is one of the most desirable addresses to have.
What towns are near Henley-on-Thames?
Featuring the River Thames and the Chiltern Hills, these towns and villages near Henley on Thames have much to offer.Medmenham (2 miles)Hambleden (3 miles)Sonning (4 miles)Hurley (5 miles)Bisham (5 miles)Marlow (6 miles)
What celebrities live in Henley-on-Thames?
Present famous residents of Henley and the villages around include Phillip Schofield, Rodney Bewes and Liam Gallagher, and Orlando Bloom has a property in the town. Famous former MPs for the town include Michael Heseltine and of course Boris Johnson.
Is Henley-on-Thames affluent?
According to a survey by New World Health, they found that a large number of London's multi-millionaires have their second homes in the UK. On top of that, Henley-on-Thames leads the list as their chosen location. It's easy to see why when you look at the town.
Is the Thames male or female?
Then there is the curious case of River Thames. In some languages it is masculine (Spanish) but feminine in others (French and German). Obviously in English the river has no gender, but in the 18th and 19th centuries it was referred to as Father Thames.
Can you walk along the Thames from Marlow to Henley?
A popular riverside walk between these Marlow and Henley-on-Thames. The walk follows a lovely section of the Thames Path National Trail for about 8 miles. There's locks, weirs, interesting villages and great views of the Chilterns countryside to enjoy.
Where can I walk around Henley-on-Thames?
Top trails (60)Henley-on-Thames and Aston Circular. ... Henley, Binfield Heath and Sonning Circular. ... Vicar of Dibley and Turville Circular. ... Rotherfield Greys Circular. ... Henley Hills, Great Wood and River Thames. ... Fingest and Skirmett Circular. ... The Cherry Tree Inn's Woodland and Well Circular. ... Mill End, Southend and Frieth Circular.More items...
Is Pangbourne worth visiting?
Today, Pangbourne is still a charming place, full of character, with individual shops, pubs and cafes, an ideal place to potter. Stop and watch the waterside wildlife while enjoying a pint of beer, glass of wine or why not try The Herd Restaurant, famous for its steaks.
Is Thames worth visiting?
The town is seen as a gateway to outdoor adventure, given the superfluity of rivers, volcanic mountain ranges, lakes, valleys, hiking trails, and camping sites present in the area. If you are gifted with the spirit of adventure, then Thames is a paradise you must surely visit when you are in New Zealand.
Where is Henley on the Thames?
Henley-on-Thames ( / ˌhɛnli -/ ( listen) HEN-lee) is a town and civil parish on the River Thames in Oxfordshire, England, 9 miles (14 km) northeast of Reading, 7 miles (11 km) west of Maidenhead, 23 miles (37 km) southeast of Oxford and 37 miles (60 km) west of London (by road), near the tripoint of Oxfordshire, Berkshire and Buckinghamshire.
What is the Henley Bridge?
Henley Bridge is a five arched bridge across the river built in 1786. It is a Grade I listed historic structure. During 2011 the bridge underwent a £200,000 repair programme after being hit by the boat Crazy Love in August 2010. About 1 mile (1.5 kilometres) upstream of the bridge is Marsh Lock. Henley Town Hall, which maintains a prominent position in the Market Place, was designed by Henry Hare and completed in 1900. Chantry House is the second Grade I listed building in the town. It is unusual in having more storeys on one side than on the other. The Church of England parish church of St Mary the Virgin is nearby and has a 16th-century tower. The Old Bell is a pub in the centre of Henley on Bell Street. The building has been dated from 1325: the oldest-dated building in the town. To celebrate Queen Victoria's Diamond Jubilee, 60 oak trees were planted in the shape of a Victoria Cross near Fairmile, the long straight road to the northwest of the town. Two notable buildings just outside Henley, in Buckinghamshire, are:
What is the oldest football team in Henley?
Henley has the oldest football team Henley Town F.C. recognised by the Oxfordshire Football Association, they play at The Triangle ground. Henley also has a rugby union club Henley Hawks which play at the Dry Leas ground, a hockey club Henley Hockey Club which play at Jubilee Park, and Henley Cricket Club which has played at Brakspear Ground since 1886. a new club in Henley was started in September 2016 called Henley Lions FC.
When was the church at Henley built?
A church at Henley is first mentioned in 1204. In 1205 the town received a tax for street paving, and in 1234 the bridge is first mentioned. In 1278 Henley is described as a hamlet of Benson with a chapel. The street plan was probably established by the end of the 13th century.
Where is the old bell in Henley?
The Church of England parish church of St Mary the Virgin is nearby and has a 16th-century tower. The Old Bell is a pub in the centre of Henley on Bell Street. The building has been dated from 1325: the oldest-dated building in the town.
Who designed Fawley Court?
Fawley Court, a red-brick building designed by Christopher Wren for William Freeman (1684) with subsequent interior remodelling by James Wyatt and landscaping by Lancelot "Capability" Brown. Greenlands, which took its present form when owned by W. H. Smith and is now home to Henley Business School.
Who was Esther Deuzeville?
Esther Deuzeville (1786–1851), as Esther Copley later a writer of children's books and works on domestic economy addressed to the working people, lived here with her parents until her marriage in 1809. There is a plaque to her and her family in the United Reformed Church.
What is a Henley shirt?
: a lightweight pullover shirt with a ribbed collar and a vertical opening at the neck fastened by a line of buttons The black Henley shirt was strategically unbuttoned to reveal a chest full of bad-boy tattoos and a sizable gold medallion. — Liana Satenstein He's perched on a stool in a coffee shop in Hollywood wearing a Henley, a mildly whimsical hat, and a pervasively radiant sense of health. — Zach Baron But henleys also boast a feminine side. The women's shirts are often trimmed with lace, decorative buttons or ribbon. — Marilyn Johnson
Where is the Henley Regatta?
from Henley on Thames, England, site of the Henley Regatta, a rowing event (the shirt resembles shirts traditionally worn by rowers) Keep scrolling for more.
Who is William Ernest Henley?
Full Article. William Ernest Henley, (born Aug. 23, 1849, Gloucester, Gloucestershire, Eng.—died July 11, 1903, Woking, near London), British poet, critic, and editor who in his journals introduced the early work of many of the great English writers of the 1890s.
What was the name of the literary event that Henley was associated with?
The “hearty,” realist, and imperialist writers particularly associated with Henley in the 1890s—sometimes known as the “Henley regatta” —were seen as an alternative to the Decadent writers of the period. Get a Britannica Premium subscription and gain access to exclusive content. Subscribe Now.
Who was Henley's friend in Treasure Island?
Henley’s long, close friendship with Robert Louis Stevenson began in 1874 when he was still a patient, and Stevenson based part of the character of Long John Silver in Treasure Island on his crippled, hearty friend.
Who dedicated the Time Machine to?
5. H. G. Wells dedicated The Time Machine to W. E. Henley. Many readers will encounter Henley’s name now in one of two places: in a poetry anthology containing ‘Invictus’, or on the dedication-page of Wells’s first novel, The Time Machine, published in 1895.
Who was the inspiration for the Victorian novel?
The life of Victorian writer W. E. Henley, told through five quick interesting facts. 1. William Ernest Henley was the inspiration for one of the most recognisable characters in Victorian fiction.
Who published Wells' novel?
Henley had published Wells’s novel in serial form in The New Review – one of several publications he edited – and Wells dedicated the one-volume book edition to his editor. For more information: see the W. E. Henley biography on the Victorian Web.
Who is William Henley?
William Ernest Henley (23 August 1849 – 11 July 1903) was a British poet, writer, critic and editor in late Victorian England. Though he wrote several books of poetry, Henley is remembered most often for his 1875 poem " Invictus ". A fixture in London literary circles, the one-legged Henley was also the inspiration for Robert Louis Stevenson 's ...
When did Henley die?
After Henley's death in 1903 an acquaintance in Boston wrote a piece about her impression of Henley, saying of him, "There was in him something more than the patient resignation of the religious sufferer, who had bowed himself to the uses of adversity.
What did Henley Regatta promote?
As Andrzej Diniejko notes, Henley and the "Henley Regatta" (the name by which his followers were humorously referred) "promoted realism and opposed Decadence " through their own works, and, in Henley's case, "through the works... he published in the journals he edited." Henley published many poems in different collections including In Hospital (written between 1873 and 1875) and A Book of Verses, published in 1891. He is remembered most for his 1875 poem " Invictus ", one of his "hospital poems" that were composed during his isolation as a consequence of early, life-threatening battles with tuberculosis; this set of works, one of several types and themes he engaged during his career, are said to have developed the artistic motif of the "poet as a patient" and to have anticipated modern poetry "not only in form, as experiments in free verse containing abrasive narrative shifts and internal monologue, but also in subject matter."
What books did Henley write?
Henley did other notable work for various publishers: the Lyra Heroica, 1891; A Book of English Prose (with Charles Whibley ), 1894; the centenary Burns (with Thomas Finlayson Henderson) in 1896–1897, in which Henley's Essay (published separately in 1898) roused considerable controversy.
What was the London paper Henley edited for?
The London, 1877–78, "a society paper" Henley edited for this short period, and to which he contributed "a brilliant series of… poems" which were only later attributed publicly to him in a published compilation from Gleeson White (see below).
Where was William Ernest Henley born?
Early life and education. Henley was born in Gloucester on 23 August 1849, to mother, Mary Morgan, a descendant of poet and critic Joseph Warton, and father, William, a bookseller and stationer. William Ernest was the oldest of six children, five sons and a daughter; his father died in 1868. Henley was a pupil at the Crypt School, Gloucester, ...
Where is the bust of Henley?
There is a bust of Henley in the crypt of St Paul's Cathedral.
Who runs the Henley Ale Trail?
If you’re interested in a good walk while visiting interesting buildings, meeting the locals and enjoying well-crafted ale, there’s no better way of doing it than taking part in the Henley Ale Trail, run by local pub company Brakspear. Download the trail and pick up a stamp at each of the nine pubs in order to win a prize.
Is Henley easy to walk around?
Henley is easy to walk around so a self-guided tour is an simple option. But to help you, download the leaflet and map to discover the history of the town’s buildings in this fascinating and easy walk around historic Henley. If you want to delve further take a guided tour with Henley-on-Thames Heritage, including Ghost Tours, Murders, Buildings, ...

Overview
Rowing
Henley is a world-renowned centre for rowing. Each summer the Henley Royal Regatta is held on Henley Reach, a naturally straight stretch of the river just north of the town. It was extended artificially. The event became "Royal" in 1851, when Prince Albert became patron of the regatta. Other regattas and rowing races are held on the same reach, including Henley Women's Regatta, the Henle…
History
There is archaeological evidence of people residing in Henley since the second century as part of the Romano-British period. The first record of Henley as a substantial settlement is from 1179, when it is recorded that King Henry II "had bought land for the making of buildings". King John granted the manor of Benson and the town and manor of Henley to Robert Harcourt in 1199. A church at Henley is first mentioned in 1204. In 1205 the town received a tax for street paving, an…
Landmarks and structures
Henley Bridge is a five arched bridge across the river built in 1786. It is a Grade I listed historic structure. During 2011 the bridge underwent a £200,000 repair programme after being hit by the boat Crazy Love in August 2010. About 1 mile (1.5 kilometres) upstream of the bridge is Marsh Lock. Henley Town Hall, which maintains a prominent position in the Market Place, was designed by Henry Hare and …
Property
Lloyds Bank's analysis of house price growth in 125 market towns in England over the year to June 2016 (using Land Registry data), found that Henley was the second-most expensive market town in the country with an average property price of £748,001.
Transport
The town's railway station is the terminus of the Henley Branch Line from Twyford. In the past there have been direct services to London Paddington. There are express mainline rail services from Reading (6 mi or 9.7 km) to Paddington. Trains from High Wycombe (12 mi or 19 km) go to London Marylebone. The M4 motorway (junction 8/9) and the M40 motorway (junction 4) are both about (7 m…
Well-known institutions and organisations
The River and Rowing Museum, located in Mill Meadows, is the town's one museum. It was established in 1998, and officially opened by Queen Elizabeth II. The museum, designed by the architect David Chipperfield, features information on the River Thames, the sport of rowing, and the town of Henley itself. The University of Reading's Henley Business School is near Henley, as is Henley College. Rupert House School is a preparatory school located in Bell Street.
Other sports
Henley has the oldest football team Henley Town F.C. recognised by the Oxfordshire Football Association, they play at The Triangle ground. Henley also has a rugby union club Henley Hawks which play at the Dry Leas ground, a hockey club Henley Hockey Club which play at Jubilee Park, and Henley Cricket Club which has played at Brakspear Ground since 1886. a new club in Henley was started in September 2016 called Henley Lions FC.