The fire is on, the leaves are falling and the nights are drawing in. It’s that time of year to be getting ready for Christmas and the festivities. It really is one of my favourite times of year and growing up in Henley-on-Thames made it all the more magical. Whether you are looking for crisp walks, festive cheer or good food, it is all going on in this stunning town. So, without further ado, here is my guide to Henley-on-Thames at Christmas Time.
Late Night Shopping / Christmas Festival
As a child growing up in Henley, Late Night Shopping with your friends was a rite of passage. Going to the shops on a cold evening, grabbing a hot dog and socialising was the ultimate night out. For adults though, there are plenty of things to do. There are some top food stands and live music, along with special deals from the local shops. I personally love going once a year with friends or family; it is the ultimate way to get into the festive spirit! This year, Late Night Shopping takes place on the 24th of November.
Wintery Walks
During any time of the year, Henley is beautiful. However, during the early winter is arguably my favourite time of the year to walk along the river. For starters, it is much quieter than other points in the year and you won’t find as many tourists. Secondly, grabbing a coffee and walking up to Temple Island on a cold, sunny day is just perfect. The steam rising from the river, the wildlife… It is really special. Whilst I would not recommend a Boxing Day walk here (that will be busy!), a walk on one of the days leading up to Christmas would be perfect. Other alternatives are the Warburg Nature Reserve (by Bix) and walking routes up towards Rotherfield Greys.
The Tree Barn, Christmas Common
Whoever came up with the notion of a Christmas shop in Christmas Common is a genius. Located in this picturesque village is the ultimate Christmas shop, filled with luxury nicknacks and all the tree types you could wish for. Whilst not strictly in Henley, it is only a 15-minute drive away and is the perfect way to get into the festive spirit. I would add that everyone in Henley-on-Thames at Christmas time has the same idea, so make sure that you get there early!
Christmas Lunch
Henley has some of the most incredible restaurants and pubs in the area. Because of this, Christmas Lunch here is always going to be amazing and I would thoroughly recommend it. Whether it is on Christmas Day / Eve, or simply in the weeks building up, there is really something for everyone. Here is my guide to the top pubs in the town, with some doing special Christmas menus. I would also suggest looking at the other restaurants too. Al Forno, Pachangas and Villa Marina all offer something a little bit different, with the former being a personal favourite.
Cheese Board Prep
This might seem like a weird one to include in a post about Henley-on-Thames at Christmas time, but go with me. Just outside of the town is the Nettlebed Creamery, home to the locally-famous Cheese Shed. I have written about this place in another post, but the first thing you must do is grab a toastie. They are utterly (or udderly…) delicious and are perfect on a cold day. They also sell their award-winning cheeses which would be perfect for Christmas Day in the evening. It is quintessentially British on Christmas after all!
Greys Court
The summer getaway of the Grantham family in Downton Abbey also offers a wintery wonderland to its modern visitors. From the 24th of November, Greys Court will be getting the house festive to accompany your tours. It promises to get you into the festive spirit whilst you explore the historic home, with guides also getting you into the spirit of Christmas. There will also be festive food and drink down in the café as well as decorations in the shop.
Christmas at the Kenton Theatre
Nothing says Henley-on-Thames at Christmas time like the Kenton Theatre. The fourth oldest theatre in the UK is found in the heart of the town and puts on performances each year. This year, their headline act is the Jack and the Beanstalk pantomime, which promises loads of fee-fi-fo-fun. This family-focussed event takes place throughout December and tickets range from £16.00 – £28.00 for adults. There are also a number of other shows going on during various days. Click here to go to the official website to find out more.
Santa Cruise
Hop aboard the Santa Cruise from Hobbs of Henley and set sail down the river Thames aboard the New Orleans steamboat. This event is fully family-focused and features children entertainment, including a visit from Santa Claus himself. The event runs on three different days (16th, 20th and 22nd of December) at various times and tickets can be purchased through this website. Whilst the children get entertained, the adults can relax on board the boat and enjoy the festivities.
Henley Living Advent Calendar
Each year, Henley-on-Thames runs a Living Advent Calendar this year. Each day will feature a different musical performance at various places across the town. This takes place at 18:15 each evening of December. To find out where each performance will be held, you need to check the Experience Henley App. See whether you can hear them all this Christmas.
* cover image source Headway Thames Valley
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Other posts that may help you:
- Christmas Time Around Oxfordshire: Top Events [2023]
- Top Pubs in Henley-on-Thames | Henley Royal Regatta
- What to do in Henley on Thames
Thank you for reading and I hope that you enjoyed the post! If you have any questions about anything on my list OR Oxfordshire in general please do get in touch in the comments below.
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Happy exploring,
Love Victoria X
