Bucks &amp; Oxon


<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-why">WHY?</h2>



<p>One of the loveliest riverside towns in Oxfordshire &#8211; and yes, you’ll pay for it &#8211; Henley has thrown off its blue rinse reputation in recent years and become a sought-after hub for families and urban exiles. They&#8217;re attracted to its art house cinema, gazillions of home turf festivals, the world-famous Regatta, well established literature and music fests, and its impressive foodie and shopping scene.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-eat-nbsp">EAT<strong>&nbsp;</strong></h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/09/Untitled-design-10.png" alt="The Plough at Shiplake" class="wp-image-171319" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/09/Untitled-design-10.png 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/09/Untitled-design-10-800x533.png 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/09/Untitled-design-10-1000x667.png 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/09/Untitled-design-10-400x267.png 400w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">The Plough Shiplake </figcaption></figure>



<p>You&#8217;ll never stop eating here. There’s relaxed dining at&nbsp;<a href="https://www.bistroattheboathouse.co.uk/#/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Bistro at the Boathouse</a> on the river (insist on an outdoor table, they&#8217;re way the best), brunches and family lunches at the <a href="https://www.bullonbell.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Bull on Bell St</a> pub with its vast garden area, evening cocktails and seasonal dining at <a href="https://www.orwellsrestaurant.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Hart Street Tavern</a>, fine dining at&nbsp;<a href="https://www.orwellsrestaurant.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Orwell’s</a> in nearby Shiplake (a lovely 2km walk along the river) plus <a href="https://www.orwellsrestaurant.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Plough</a>, a fabulous offering also in Shiplake, with a female owner and head chef and an inventive series of &#8216;Flight Nights&#8217; of food and drink pairings.</p>



<p>Speaking of great food, <em>Great British Menu</em> chef Dominic Chapman opened <a href="https://therelaishenley.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">his first eponymous restaurant</a> in the perfectly positioned <a href="https://therelaishenley.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Relais</a> hotel by the river this year. Atmospheric pubs include the famous <a href="https://www.theangelhenley.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Angel on the Bridge</a> &#8211; the best views in town. For cafés, there&#8217;s <a href="https://pierreponts.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Pierreponts</a> café at Olympic rower Toby Garbett&#8217;s <a href="https://tggymwellness.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">TG Gym Wellness</a>, and <a href="https://rrm.co.uk/visit/#the_rowing_room_caf" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Rowing Room Café</a> at the River and Rowing Museum &#8211; a draw for its riverside views and fab coffee.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-shop">SHOP</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1638" height="2048" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/10/450077968_953575913447065_1781433459247195743_n.jpg" alt="Busby &amp; fox rail of clothes" class="wp-image-173161" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/10/450077968_953575913447065_1781433459247195743_n.jpg 1638w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/10/450077968_953575913447065_1781433459247195743_n-640x800.jpg 640w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/10/450077968_953575913447065_1781433459247195743_n-800x1000.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/10/450077968_953575913447065_1781433459247195743_n-320x400.jpg 320w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/10/450077968_953575913447065_1781433459247195743_n-1229x1536.jpg 1229w" sizes="(max-width: 1638px) 100vw, 1638px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Busby &amp; Fox</figcaption></figure>



<p>Henley has the expected mix of high-end national staples (Waitrose, Whistles, Mint Velvet, Space NK) and independent brands. Try <a href="https://www.fluidity-f2.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Fluidity</a> for designer fashion (local celebs and TV presenters ebb flow through regularly), fashion boutique <a href="https://www.busbyandfox.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Busby &amp; Fox</a>, indie boutique <a href="https://shopnina.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Nina</a>, kids store <a href="https://www.tigersntiaras.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Tigers &amp; Tiaras</a>,&nbsp;independent lifestyle shop <a href="http://www.brookhouseinteriors.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Calvert Jones,</a> <a href="https://www.wildandrust.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Wild &amp; Rust</a> for eco buys, and <a href="http://www.brookhouseinteriors.com/">Brook House</a> for interiors. It&#8217;s always a good sign to have an indie bookshop and happily <a aria-label="The Bell Bookshop (opens in a new tab)" href="https://www.bellbookshop.co.uk" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Bell Bookshop</a> continues to thrive. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-health-amp-wellbeing">HEALTH &amp; WELLBEING</h2>



<p>The well-polished of Henley have plenty of choice when it comes to preening and buffing with tons of good hairdressers – namely <a aria-label="Elements (opens in a new tab)" href="https://www.elementshenley.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Elements</a>, an excellent Aveda salon, and Clay Salon, an elegant and breezy collective of independent hairdressers. There&#8217;s no absence of beauty and aesthetic clinics for the well-heeled including <a href="http://alchemybyeffectdoctors.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Alchemy by Effect Doctors,</a>&nbsp;which offers diagnostic blood tests, plus IV drips and booster shots if you&#8217;ve really overdone it at the festival. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-community">COMMUNITY</h2>



<p>Henley has one of the buzziest events calendars in the area (see culture below) and as such it&#8217;s a social and bustling town. Downside: parking can be a battle. Upside: you can probably make a killing on Airbnb if you&#8217;ve got a spare room or, even better, an annexe. There&#8217;s also community events like the Christmas Tree Lights switch on with Kenton Theatre panto characters, carol singing and a local concert band. It&#8217;s easy to meet people if you&#8217;re happy to muck in with organising. If you&#8217;re working remotely, there&#8217;s three serviced offices you can use – <a href="https://www.regus.com/en-gb/united-kingdom/henley-on-thames/the-henley-building-4890" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Regus</a>, <a href="https://thegreenroomhenley.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Green Room</a> and <a href="https://www.chilternhouse.biz/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Chiltern House Business Centre</a>, plus there&#8217;s the <a href="https://henleybusinesspartnership.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Henley Business Partnership</a> for networking.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-nearby-attractions">NEARBY ATTRACTIONS</h2>



<p>One of my favourite National Trusts ever, the stunning&nbsp;<a href="https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/greys-court" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Greys Court</a> (make a date for April, the bluebell wood is incredible) is just outside Henley and you&#8217;re also in a sweet spot to visit <a data-type="URL" data-id="https://www.stonor.com/" href="https://www.stonor.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Stonor Park</a>, the 850-year-old privately owned estate that offers a year round schedule of events, along with a lovely children&#8217;s playground Tumbledown Hollow.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.rrm.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The River &amp; Rowing Museum</a> in the town centre is great for kids and adults alike and has brilliant bijou exhibitions – David Hockney, Monet and Barbara Hepworth have all shown in the unpretentious space. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-culture">CULTURE</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="751" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2018/05/rowing-regatta.jpg" alt="rowing regatta summer season" class="wp-image-67986" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2018/05/rowing-regatta.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2018/05/rowing-regatta-150x113.jpg 150w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2018/05/rowing-regatta-300x225.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2018/05/rowing-regatta-666x500.jpg 666w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Royal Regatta </figcaption></figure>



<p>This is where Henley really comes into its own &#8211; there is so much going on. Every summer the famous <a href="https://henleyliteraryfestival.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Henley Festival</a> welcomes black-tie guests (dressed much like they are for the <a href="https://www.hrr.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Royal Regatta</a> in the same month) to a night of music (previous headliners on their floating stage include The Script, Boy George, and Tom Jones), vintage carnival rides, and fine dining. The 80s <a href="http://www.templeislandmeadows.com/festivals/rewind/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Rewind festival</a> is an annual sell out here.  The <a href="https://kentontheatre.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Kenton Theatre</a> has kept its old charm as the 4th oldest working theatre in the UK. It stages comedians and plays, and even hosts parts of the<a href="https://henleyliteraryfestival.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"> Henley Literary Festival</a> in October. The <a data-type="URL" data-id="https://www.picturehouses.com/cinema/regal-picturehouse" href="https://www.picturehouses.com/cinema/regal-picturehouse" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Regal arthouse cinema</a> is bang in the centre of town, much loved and utilised by the locals.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-average-house-prices-nbsp">AVERAGE HOUSE PRICES&nbsp;</h2>



<p>Overall average house prices come in at £755,192. I know, ouch, though that is down 5% on the previous year. On average in the past year, terraced properties sold for £620,994, detached properties cost an average of &nbsp;£1,097,297. Henley&#8217;s desirability remains undented.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-hot-property">HOT PROPERTY</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="659" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/10/HENLEYHOTPROPERTY-1.png" alt="Best Places to Live Henley" class="wp-image-183775" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/10/HENLEYHOTPROPERTY-1.png 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/10/HENLEYHOTPROPERTY-1-800x527.png 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/10/HENLEYHOTPROPERTY-1-400x264.png 400w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Classic Georgian family house in the heart of Henley-on-Thames with six bedrooms and garden. <a href="https://www.knightfrank.co.uk/properties/residential/for-sale/bell-street-henley-on-thames-oxfordshire-rg9/hot012463523" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">On the market with Knight Frank for £2.75m</a>. </figcaption></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-nurseries">NURSERIES</h2>



<p><a href="https://www.henleynursery.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Henley Village Montessori Nursery School</a> was rated Outstanding by Ofsted. <a href="https://www.countrysidenurseries.co.uk/nurseries/treetops-nursery/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Treetops Nursery</a> is close to the river and train station and has a soft play area. <a href="https://www.stmarys-henley.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">St Mary’s</a> features a nursery, which can help ease the transition into schooling with the familiarity of ‘big kids’ just over the playground wall. Likewise <a href="https://bucksoxon.muddystilettos.co.uk/muddy-good-schools-guide/rupert-house-school-review-henley-oxfordshire/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Rupert House</a> takes littlies from age 3 yrs and has a forest school and outdoor sports area a short walk from its town centre campus.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-schools">SCHOOLS</h2>



<p>Nurturing central co-ed prep <a href="https://bucksoxon.muddystilettos.co.uk/kids/school-reviews/st-marys-prep/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">St Mary’s</a> and buzzy <a href="https://bucksoxon.muddystilettos.co.uk/muddy-good-schools-guide/rupert-house-school-review-henley-oxfordshire/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Rupert House School</a>, as mentioned above, plus plenty of other excellent options in this well-heeled area. Check out top girls&#8217; prep school <a href="https://bucksoxon.muddystilettos.co.uk/kids/school-reviews/godstowe-school-high-wycombe-review/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Godstowe</a> (20 mins), all-rounder day and boarding prep school <a aria-label="Moulsford (opens in a new tab)" href="https://bucksoxon.muddystilettos.co.uk/kids/school-reviews/moulsford-prep/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Moulsford</a> (25 mins), which goes co-ed from Sept 2026, the mixed Catholic day or boarding <a aria-label="Oratory Prep (opens in a new tab)" href="https://bucksoxon.muddystilettos.co.uk/kids/school-reviews/oratory-prep-reading/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Oratory Prep</a> and Senior. For secondary education there&#8217;s progressive Quaker school&nbsp;<a href="https://berkshire.muddystilettos.co.uk/kids/leighton-park-school-reading/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Leighton Park</a> and academic girls&#8217; school&nbsp;<a aria-label=" (opens in a new tab)" href="https://bucksoxon.muddystilettos.co.uk/kids/school-reviews/abbey-school-reading/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Abbey</a> (both 20 mins) closer to Reading.&nbsp;</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-best-kept-secret">BEST KEPT SECRET</h2>



<p>The awesome Mary Berry is a local, and she&#8217;s very active in the community. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-commute-nbsp">COMMUTE<strong>&nbsp;</strong></h2>



<p>Henley is 33 miles and 74 mins from Henley to London – not&nbsp;<em>quite</em> direct, you need to change at Twyford (4 miles away from Henley). Season train ticket start at £4,548. Driving to London takes 1 hour 9m. Or a 20-min drive to Reading gets you on a train headed to Paddington in 25 mins, although season tickets climb to £5,044 from there.</p>



<p><em>View the full <a href="https://muddystilettos.co.uk/best-places-to-live" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Top 300 Best Places to Live</a>.</em></p>


Henley-on-Thames

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