Come and see the inside of our remarkable building, the Henley Masonic Centre- Thames Lodge, which has not normally been open to the public since our establishment in 1881. No need to just walk by!

Thames Lodge in Henley on Thames is the oldest Masonic order in Henley and was established in 1881.

A purpose-built hall was built on the Reading Road in 1890 on a site given by prominent Freemason, W. D. Mackenzie, over 140 years ago, and stands today, where all new and existing members own the building.

Membership in the late 19th and early 20th century included several of Henley’s leading townsmen and town councillors. Freemasonry was a significant factor in the town into the 20th century, with public and municipal ceremonies such as the laying of the foundation stone for the new town hall in 1899, and the opening of the War Memorial Hospital in 1922.

A prominent member of Thames Lodge was British World War One hero Major Valentine Fleming, the father of authors Peter Fleming and Ian Fleming, the latter of whom created the James Bond character. On the 20th May 1917, Major Fleming was killed in action in France. It is now over 100 years since his death.

In 2022, we have gone from strength to strength, and Henley now boasts not just Thames Lodge, but seven other Craft lodges too, also three lodges representing additional orders.

HMC is a busy place, what with ordinary meetings, rehearsals, social activities and pilates classes and local civic events too going on throughout the year.

Saturday 16 September: 1000-1600
Sunday 17 September: 1000-1600

No booking required.

Max 20 people per tour/session. 30 minutes 

Contact for the day: Geoff Walsh Secretary and Hon. Events and Building Manager Henley Masonic Centre Thames Lodge tel 07990563538