Day out from Henley

[Mataji]

I will be getting my first taste of the Thames next month when I take 3 generations of my family out for the day on a hire boat from Henley. We have the boat from 10.00 until 17.00 and it would be nice to stop, perhaps for lunch, at a pub or restaurant. We are going on a Sunday so realise that the river will be busy.
Which way would you go? Where would you moor up? Is it possible to book a mooring at a pub for lunch or do we just turn up and hope to find a place?
Any other advice on the Thames will be appreciated.
PS - I have lots of boat experience including taking sailing boats through canals so there should be no difficulties in that area, unless there are any conventions unique to the Thames. I am also considering giving up my sailing boat and getting a cruiser on the Thames so am looking forward to my first taste.

 

[Pump-Out]

What is the budget for lunch?

I'd go downstream to Marlow - that would be about two hours from central Henley. Once there there are innumerable eateries of all types and budgets. Moor at Higginson Park and walk into town.

For a pub - try the berth that is sometimes available next to St Peters St slipway. walk 50 yards up the road to The Two brewers.

If money no object - book a berth at Complete Angler and eat there.

After lunch (depending on how long you eat!) there wil be time to go on further to Bourne End and Cookham before turning.

 

[Chris_d]

As above, Marlow best option but mooring can be tricky to find. Only other option is upstream to Sonning, moor at EA moorings above Sonning lock and walk back to the Copa Club, book a table though.

 

[Outinthedinghy]

George and Dragon at Wargrave is worth considering on the River with a good terrace and a mooring. No idea about the food as never been there.

 

[Pump-Out]

George and Dragon at Wargrave is worth considering on the River with a good terrace and a mooring. No idea about the food as never been there.

I felt that was too close - Only 40 mins or so from Henley - not really worth having the boat.

 

[Mark26]

For destinations: as above

Don’t worry about the river being busy. I was in Henley this (bank holiday) weekend and it’s really not busy at all.
Have a nice day. Hopefully the sun will shine for you.

 

[Mataji]

Thanks for all the replies.

 

[Outinthedinghy]

I felt that was too close - Only 40 mins or so from Henley - not really worth having the boat.

I did wonder if they were having one of SRB Steve's boats out of medmenham. That would add an hour to the journey time.

More likely to be a Hobbs boat in which case you could have a cruise down the regatta reach, which is actually not all that terrible in terms of scenery then turn just above Hambleden lock and come back up. Get to go under the bridge twice !
That would add an hour then stop at the George and dragon then continue up to say sonning bridge and have a relaxing cruise back down the world's greatest River.

I'd be tempted to get the eating thing done in good time and not stretch things out. That way it ends up being more relaxed.

 

[zimbo]

Despite living in Henley, and owing a boat at Hambleden Marina just upstream of it, and I haven't been there in years so can't advise on the 'quality' these days (but I've heard nothing bad...), but there is a small jetty (i.e. 2/3 cruisers depending on the size of boats) at the Flower Pot pub at Aston. There is no booking facility that I know of so you take a chance.

Downstream of the Flower Pot there is nothing "riverside" until Marlow - and as per previous comments, the mooring by the park in Marlow is usually busy although as it is early in the season you may be lucky.

I stayed overnight at Bourne End Marina last September and ate/drank at The Bounty opposite the marina. There are moorings on the river in front of the pub for maybe half a dozen boats (it's actually on the riverside, check out Facebook for their page) and you can stay overnight for free if you eat there - but as ever no booking so you take a chance. The food and drink was good, it is (was?) traditional pub fare on the menu with a few quirks to add a bit of interest. I'd visit it again. It's about 3 hours from Henley, including lock transit times.

 

[Barge]

Think i would go up to Sonning and enjoy Copa, where you might even get to moor outside...

Or go through the lock and past the Bluecoat school to one of the bankside moorings and head to the Bull. The EA moorings are being re-engineered at the moment but look like they'll be a great facility when finished.