Henley-on-Thames

The Royal Regatta brings crowds in July, but come any other time and you'll find a proper Thames market town that's far more relaxed than its posh reputation suggests. Yes, the Georgian facades along Hart Street cost a fortune, but the riverside charm is genuine enough.

Walking along the Thames Path here feels like stepping into a Sunday supplement - rowing clubs, elegant bridges, and that famous stretch of water where the regatta unfolds each summer. The Old Luxters brewery sits just outside town, doing excellent ales if you fancy something local. More ambitious drinkers should head to Chiltern Valley Winery & Brewery, where they've been making wine since the 1980s with surprising success.

Beyond the river, the Chiltern Hills roll away in gentle folds. Remenham Wood makes for decent walking, though it's hardly wilderness. Train connections are solid - both Shiplake and Wargrave stations link you to London in under an hour, making this commuter belt territory with weekend appeal.

The Salmon Ladder at Marsh Weir draws anglers and curious families, while history buffs appreciate The Remenham Barrier and the town's war memorial. St. Mary's Church anchors the old part of town, though Saint Mary the Virgin offers another perspective on local heritage.

Staying at nearby parks like Hurley Riverside Park or Swiss Farm makes perfect sense. You're close enough to stroll into town for dinner, but far enough out to enjoy the countryside properly. The area works well as a Thames Valley base - Reading's twenty minutes away if you need proper shopping, while Oxford beckons from the other direction.