Beginner’s guide to the Henley Festival
For a week in early July, the charming market town of Henley, synonymous with the Royal River Thames throws off its genteel air and goes into to full throttle glamour.
Located on one of the most scenic stretches of The River Thames, The Henley Festival - in its 29th year - is the hottest ticket of the British Summer Social Season.
Legendary Welsh singer Tom Jones opens this year’s Festival (6 -10 July). Tickets ranging from £35 – £110 are selling out fast (book via henley-festival.co.uk).
His concert kicks off a five night, star-studded, strictly black tie event including Jools Holland, Alexandra Burke, Rumer, Blake, and ABBA Symphonic, who will be entertaining fans from a floating stage on the river.
From 6pm each evening, over twenty acts from the world of jazz, opera, classical and theatre, from the around the world, perform live. The Roving Company of Eccentrica wander the art galleries and sculpture lawns. A spectacular firework display lights up the summer skies at around 10pm every night while live musicians keep revellers in the mood to dance until 1.30am at Chinawhite night club.
What to Wear?
Think British lawn chic. The dress code for the festival is black tie, and this year is billed as the most glamorous of them all. Ladies come resplendent in sizzling cocktail dresses and jewels, or gorgeous evening gowns fit for a summer’s evening. But being entirely outdoor, bring jackets or shrugs should there be a splash of rain. Gents arrive formal in jackets and ties. Younger festival goers also put on their best bib and tucker (strictly no jeans or fleeces please).
Getting There
Only 90 minutes from Paddington London by rail via Twyford, Henley on Thames is the ideal weekend getaway. Otherwise, it is around 40 minutes from London Heathrow Airport – 90 minutes from London Gatwick. By car, is around 35 miles (or 40 mins) along M4 motorway from London and convenient for M3 to Bournemouth and south west.
For the privileged few there is a helipad at Danesfield House Hotel.
Make a Weekend of It
Henley is overlooked by beautiful Chiltern landscapes of wooded hills and green fields, ideal for walks and picnics. 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 stallholders and shoppers on market days. Browse the town's many boutiques and soak up the post Regatta buzz. Take the town’s pulse at the award winning River and Rowing Museum (rrm.co.uk, Mill Meadows, 5 mins walk from the centre and station), charts the history of the Thames and Olympic achievements of Sir Steve Redgrave and Sir Matthew Pinsent, the world’s finest rowers.
Take an organised boat trip down the regatta course, in a small cruiser, or show prowess in a hired rowing boat. Don’t forget to keep your eyes peeled for celebrities who pour into town for the festival and secure those choice moorings.
Where to Stay
The Hotel du Vin is a character property, located in the former Breakspears brewery, only 50 yards from Henley’s waterfront. Food and wine take high priority here; with al fresco tables. Parking facilities, hotelduvin.com.
The French Horn, nestling at the foot of the Chilterns at Sonning is traditional English country house, thefrenchhorn.co.uk.
Danesfield House Hotel and Spa is set in 65 acres of estate grounds with a Michelin Starred restaurant on the outskirts of town - danesfieldhouse.co.uk.
Where to Eat - Gastro Guide
During the Festival, dine in style at Albert and Michel Roux’s Riverside Restaurant (from £110, 3 courses exc wine) with a classical French menu then party late into the night at Chinawhite night club. Alternatively eat at the less formal Terrace Restaurant and Café du Soir. Or choose casual pubs in the town, like Heston Blumenthal’s pub, the Hinds Head at Henley or the charming café in the River and Rowing Museum overlooking Ratty’s Refuge.