Henley-in-Arden in Warwickshire is known as one of the prettiest towns in England: a mile-long High Street of medieval, Tudor, Georgian and Victorian architecture including 150 historic buildings, shops, pubs and restaurants, with a history dating back to the 12th century.
From duck races to ancient mounds, from summer music festivals to the famous ice-cream parlour. A glorious bakery with fresh smells filling the high street offers picnic treats, and a good old-fashioned butcher can fill your BBQ for summer feasts.
You can sleep in a 17th century pub that has been converted into luxury apartments, or an old coaching inn that still has bedrooms above the bar and beer on tap. You can glamp, bring your motorhome, stay in a tipi or sleep on a canal barge.
Treasure hunts, heritage trails and the Millennium Way beg for your walking boots, and the Bard and his influence touch the edges of this small town minus the normal tourist trappings.
Things to see and do in Henley-in-Arden
Famous Henley Ice Cream parlour is next door to the local Heritage Centre, which is free to enter and contains a host of interesting artefacts and information on this historical Warwickshire town.
Stop at one of Henley’s five public houses and enjoy a drink and some great food or visit a range of cafes and bakeries, serving fresh coffee, and pastries. Henley also boasts an array of restaurants to accommodate every taste.
Support Henley’s local independent retailers, including a bespoke ladies clothes boutique Henley Vintage, stocking both vintage clothing and home accessories.
After shopping and eating, take the family to the newly renovated Riverlands nature and play area, or for a more energetic ramble, take a stroll over the famous Henley Mount, with views reaching as far as the Malvern Hills.
How to get to Henley-in-Arden
Henley-in-Arden train station benefits from a regular West Midlands Trains service on the North Warwickshire Line. Trains from Henley-in-Arden operate every hour in each direction between Birmingham Snow Hill and Stratford-upon-Avon. Birmingham services largely continue on to Stourbridge Junction, and on Sundays, trains run to and from Worcester Foregate Street on an hourly basis.
Henley-in-Arden is situated a short drive from Junction 16 of the M40 motorway, which links London to Birmingham.
