Experience Henley joined local historian, and proud Henley native, Richard Pinches for a richly detailed walking tour that brought the town’s past vividly to life. Dressed in his signature 17th‑century costume, Richard led us on a 90‑minute journey through the streets, stories, and secrets that have shaped Henley-on-Thames for centuries.

The tour explored Henley’s earliest origins, from evidence of Bronze Age and Iron Age settlements to the Roman route that once crossed the Thames near Phyllis Court. Richard traced the town’s evolution from a busy inland port, where timber, grain and malted barley were shipped to London, to the thriving riverside destination we know today.

A highlight of the walk was the tale of Mary Blandy, Henley’s infamous 18th‑century murderess, whose story Richard recounts with theatrical flair. Her ghost is said to linger in the town, and Richard makes sure you feel her presence as you pass the places tied to her dramatic life and trial.

The tour also uncovered Henley’s role in the English Civil War, when Cromwell’s forces clashed with Royalists in 1642, leaving behind stories of skirmishes, hangings, and divided loyalties. Standing by the river, Richard explained how the iconic 1786 stone bridge came to define the town’s silhouette, and how earlier crossings, including one dating back to 1170, shaped Henley’s development. Even the Vikings make an appearance in Henley’s long timeline.

What makes Richard’s tour so compelling is his ability to weave together local anecdotes, national history, and personal passion. Every corner has a story, every building a hidden detail, and every moment feels connected to the generations who lived, worked, and celebrated here.

For anyone wanting to understand Henley beyond the festivals and regattas, Richard’s walk is a lively, immersive introduction to the town’s character, past and present.

To book a tour visit Henley History