Major city · United Kingdom
Henley-on-Thames
Go for one night, or as a day trip from Oxford or Reading: the riverside town takes half a day, the Regatta week takes all of it.
Henley-on-Thames is a small Oxfordshire town on the River Thames, best known for the Henley Royal Regatta in late June and early July. Outside Regatta week it is a quiet base for riverside walks, a National Trust house and Thames-side pubs, and it works well as a day trip from Oxford or Reading rather than a multi-night stop.
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- GBP
- Best months
- May–Sep
- avoid Regatta week if you want a quiet town and cheap rooms
- Airports
- LHR · LGW · SOU
- Nights
- 1
Rules in force · 8Non-EU visitors get 90 days in any rolling 180-day window…
- Europe ↗Non-EU visitors get 90 days in any rolling 180-day window, counted across all 29 Schengen states together — not per country; the Entry/Exit System now logs each crossing, so an overstay is detected automatically.
- Europe ↗On the first Schengen entry since EES began, non-EU travellers give four fingerprints and a face photo at the border instead of a passport stamp; there is nothing to apply for or pay in advance.
- Britain and Ireland ↗Neither the UK nor Ireland is part of Schengen: days spent here do not count towards the 90/180-day Schengen limit, and a Schengen visa does not admit you to either country.
- Britain and Ireland ↗The island of Ireland runs on two currencies: euro in the Republic, pound sterling in Northern Ireland and Great Britain. Carry a card that pays in both without fees.
- Britain and Ireland ↗Both islands drive on the left. Speed limits are in miles per hour in the UK (including Northern Ireland) and in kilometres per hour in the Republic of Ireland.
- United Kingdom ↗Most visitors who do not need a UK visa now need an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) before travelling; this includes EU nationals. Irish citizens are exempt. Check the UK government site for your passport.
- United Kingdom ↗The UK is outside the EU and the Schengen area; a Schengen visa is not valid for the UK.
- United Kingdom ↗Driving is on the left; London has congestion and emissions charges for most vehicles, so do not drive in the city.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Henley-on-Thames999 ▾
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Henley-on-Thames, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the pound sterling (GBP, £).United Kingdom-wide
- SIM or eSIMEE, Vodafone (merged with Three in 2025) and O2 run the networks; prepaid SIMs sell in supermarkets, phone shops and airport vending machines…United Kingdom-wide
- Tap waterTap water is safe everywhere.United Kingdom-wide
- TippingcheckRestaurant with table service: 10–12.5% if no service charge is on the bill; check before adding more.United Kingdom-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets G. US/Canada (A/B): adapter · UK/Ireland (G): fits · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 230 V: US 120 V-only devices (hair dryers) need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.United Kingdom-wide
- SafetyA low-crime town; the real risks are crowds and higher theft during Regatta week and the festival, plus muddy or flooded riverside paths after rain.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsPublic toilets are scarce and some charge 50p–£1 (≈ US$2) or are card-only.United Kingdom-wide
- Emergency numbers999 or 112 emergency (police, fire, ambulance) · 111 NHS non-urgent · 101 police non-urgent (not 911, 999 or 000)
- Sundays & holidaysShops in England and Wales open six hours on Sundays (usually 10:00 or 11:00–16:00 or 17:00).Shops in England and Wales open six hours on Sundays (usually 10:00 AM or 11:00 AM–4:00 PM or 5:00 PM).United Kingdom-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportLHR London Heathrow (About 20 miles / 25 min by car down the M4; also linked to Reading by the RailAir coach, about 1 h).
- Getting aroundThe centre is small and walkable: station to Henley Bridge is about 10 min on foot.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- Coffee£3–4.50 (≈ US$4–6)
- BeerPint of beer£5–6.50 (≈ US$7–9)
- SIM or eSIM, a weekeSIM or data SIM, about a week£6–12 (≈ US$8–16)
- Budget bedHostel or pub bunk bed, a night, per person£30 (≈ US$40)
- Mid-range bedPub or hotel double room, a night, per room£130 (≈ US$180)
- High-end bedPub or hotel double room, a night, per room£220 (≈ US$300)
A day, not counting the bed: Budget £55 (≈ US$75) · Mid £100 (≈ US$140) · High £180 (≈ US$250)
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- LHR London Heathrow (About 20 miles / 25 min by car down the M4; also linked to Reading by the RailAir coach, about 1 h) · LGW London Gatwick (About 55 miles / 60 min by car; trains run to Reading about twice an hour, about 1 h) · SOU Southampton (About 45 miles / 50 min by car down the M3; trains from Reading take about 1 h)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
not flagged
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
Feb
not flagged
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
Mar
not flagged
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
Apr
not flagged
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
May
Best
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
Jun
Best
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
Jul
Best
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
Aug
Best
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
Sep
Best
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
Oct
not flagged
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
Nov
not flagged
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
Dec
not flagged
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
Best: May–Sep. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)), coolest Jan (2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C) low), wettest Jan (12 rain days), driest Jun (8). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Henley-on-Thames: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
12 rd
Feb
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
10 rd
Mar
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
10 rd
Apr
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
9 rd
May
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
9 rd
Jun
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
8 rd
Jul
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
8 rd
Aug
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
9 rd
Sep
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
9 rd
Oct
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
11 rd
Nov
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
11 rd
Dec
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
12 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
The centre is small and walkable: station to Henley Bridge is about 10 min on foot. Buses 800/850 run to Reading and High Wycombe; minicabs must be booked by phone or app. A car helps for Greys Court and the villages.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Door to door: About 1.5 h by train
Train via Twyford and Reading, or drive on the A4130 and A4074
Colleges and museums; a full day or an easy overnight.
Door to door: About 30 min
Branch-line train, most services continue to Reading
Main rail junction for London, the west and the airport coach.
Greys Court
goDoor to door: About 15 min by car
Drive or taxi to Rotherfield Greys, about 3 miles west
National Trust house and garden; check opening days before you go.
Windsor
cautionDoor to door: About 1–1.5 h
Train via Twyford and Slough, or drive on the M4
Castle and river; a long half-day, better as its own trip.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Town centre (Hart Street and Market Place)
Pubs, restaurants and the river within a 5–10 min walk; the practical choice for one night.
Riverside near Henley Bridge
Thames views and the Red Lion; higher rates in Regatta week.
Reading Road / Greys Road
Cheaper guesthouses and B&Bs, 10–15 min walk from the bridge.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- £45–75 (≈ US$60–100) excl. bed
- Mid
- £75–130 (≈ US$100–180) excl. bed
- High
- £130 (≈ US$180)+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Pub or hotel double room1 × 1 night × £130 | £130 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × £100 | £200 |
| Return train Reading–Henley2 × £8 | £16 |
| Pub main meal2 × £14 | £28 |
| eSIM, about a week of data2 × £8 | £16 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | £39 |
| Trip total≈ £215 per person per day, bed included | £429≈ US$600 |
2026 estimate in pounds; flights excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Coffee | £3–4.50 (≈ US$4–6) |
| Pub main meal | £12–20 (≈ US$16–30) |
| Pint of beer | £5–6.50 (≈ US$7–9) |
| Fish and chips takeaway | £9–14 (≈ US$12–19) |
| Train Reading–Henley return | £6–9 (≈ US$8–12) |
| eSIM or data SIM, about a week | £6–12 (≈ US$8–16) |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Regatta week (late June–early July) and Henley Festival fill the town: book beds and tables weeks ahead and expect higher prices.
- Trains run on a branch line via Twyford; most services continue to Reading, with direct London Paddington trains mainly at peak times.
- Crime is low but rises when the town is packed during the regattas and festival; watch bags in crowds.
- Riverside paths can be muddy and, after heavy rain, partly flooded: check conditions before a long Thames Path walk.
Emergency numbers
- Emergency (police, fire, ambulance)
- 999 or 112
- NHS non-urgent
- 111
- Police non-urgent
- 101
Pocket card
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Henley-on-ThamesHenley-on-Thames
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
To this address, pleaseTo this address, please
Emergency
- Emergency (police, fire, ambulance)999 or 112
- NHS non-urgent111
- Police non-urgent101
Embassy
No embassies in town; the US Embassy is in London.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Train Reading → Henley: about £4–5 (≈ US$6–7) single, about 25–30 min
- Train London Paddington → Henley: about £15–25 (≈ US$20–35), about 45 min at peak times
- Taxi in town: short hops £5–10 (≈ US$7–14); book by phone or app
Say or show
- Excuse me / Sorry — Excuse me / Sorry
- Thank you — Thank you
- Please — Please
- How much is it? — How much is it?
- Can I pay by card? — Can I pay by card?
- Where is the toilet? — Where is the toilet?
English is spoken everywhere; no phrasebook needed.
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Henley-on-Thames. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: May–Sep · avoid Regatta week if you want a quiet town and cheap rooms · month by month →
- 3 airports and 3 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 4 day-trips, door to door
- 4 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Airport-to-bed contract for LHR: last trains and RailAir coach times field-checked, taxi fallback, overnight rung.
- Walking clusters with rescue anchors: station, Hart Street and Market Place, Henley Bridge and the riverside.
- Place pages with verified opening days (Greys Court, Fawley Hill Railway) and eat pages with last orders.
- Regatta-week fixtures so gates A–D can go green.
Sources
Ask about Henley-on-Thames
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