Henley on Thames

Last Friday, Wil surprised me with a trip to Henley on Thames for the night. His Dad was in town, so he was able to keep Wiley. (Thanks!) It was our first time to really be alone for an extended amount of time without Wiley since we left the States. I felt like I was forgetting something, well really, someone, for all of the train ride there!

He wouldn't tell me where we were going until we got to Paddington Station and got on our train. I definitely overpacked, but what can you do when you have no idea what you need to be prepared for! Henley on Thames was so picturesque and nice. I don't think it is as rural as the Cotswolds might be, but it definitely had a small village (they actually call small towns villages.) feel which was so refreshing. We had a delicious dinner at a Spanish tapas restaurant, and we stayed at the Red Lion Hotel with a view of the Thames. We saw crew teams practicing in the morning. I should have taken a picture, but I didn't do a good job of that on our getaway. The hotel has a lot of history and a lot of antiques.

Old leather chair. I think I could live with this one.

They must have known we were American...These walls reminded me of our flag. I walked in and thought it was a bit loud and bold. Then, I thought, I wonder if this will be cute maybe in a lake house. However, when I woke up in the middle of the night and saw the walls, I decided they made me dizzy. So, maybe don't do bold red stripes in view of your bed.

View of Henley on Thames, after having a Starbucks and chocolate croissant. This is before our massages!

It was so much fun just to walk around the shops there. I found a fabulous Mulberry purse and a Theory sweater, but alas, they weren't giving those away that day. I liked the quirky antiques shop that felt like we were walking in someone's grandparents' attic. We found a little print of Henley on Thames and its bridge at an art shop, and while the town may be very simple, it will be a reminder to me of how refreshing that trip was. And how thankful I am that I have such a thoughtful husband!

Travel Notes: Easy train ride from London; We should have checked our return train times because we missed one train by 10 minutes and had to wait another 45 for the next one; Henley on Thames is host to the Royal Regatta in July (for rowing), and I really hope to get down there and see it; it seems like it would be so lovely to walk along the river in the warmer months; did not feel touristy, seemed like it would be very family friendly as we saw tons of local families. We spent one night there and most of Saturday, and I think that was a perfect amount of time. Wonderful town!