alh1 via Flickr

The Henley Royal Regatta has been held every summer in Henley since 1839 - excluding during war time - for five days from Wednesday through Sunday over the first weekend in July. The regatta is a wonderfully colourful event - it’s part of the English social season, don’t you know, and is fulfilled with the appropriate sense of history, pageantry and detail. Of course it’s also very much about rowing. And racing is taken very seriously. Making for a thrilling event, and definitely one worth an effort to attend at least once in a lifetime. Our pick of the best places to stay for the Henley Regatta cover a wide range of prices and styles, so there should be something for everyone.

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Of course Henley-on-Thames itself is very busy during the regatta, but if you can it’s well worth staying all day and into the evening to really experience the charm of this event. And obviously the best places to stay for the Henley Regatta book up extremely quickly. Which is why our own Gurus spread their net a bit wider when making their recommendations. They’ve found some wonderful old traditional pubs, and some incredible county house hotels, as well as Michelin starred inns and Nancy Astor’s one time residence.

Neil Rickards via Flickr

The actual racing takes the form or a knockout competition with two crews racing side by side up the Henley course, which has always been ‘about a mile and 550 yards, from Temple Island upstream towards Henley Bridge to a point opposite Phyllis Court. Qualifying races are held on the Friday before the regatta, with the final draw taking place on the Saturday afternoon at around 3pm in the Town Hall. So if you can find accommodation for the regatta proper, you may find something for the qualifying days?

Use our guide to the best places to stay in for the Henley Regatta and start to plan your summer season!

8 of The Best Places to Stay for the Henley Regatta

For a spoiling stay

• The Waterside Inn in Bray is a fantastic choice for foodies, run by Michel and Alain Roux and with three Michelin stars, this is about as gourmet at the UK gets. The eleven rooms and suites are sumptuous and start from around £220 per night.

To Escape the Henley Regatta Crowds

• The Elephant at Pangbourne is a chic, twenty two roomed hotel in a bustling little village. The surprise is the Indian theme, with handcrafted Indian furniture, oriental rugs, and delicate fabrics. There’s an elegant restaurant specialising in locally sourced everything.
• Cliveden House is a grand neoclassical country pile, a National Trust treasure, and probably still best known for its part in the Profumo affair. But it seems like everyone who’s ever been anyone has stayed here, from Churchill to Chaplin and Lawrence to Lennon. There are 44 rooms and 15 suites, but staying here still feels like you’re staying in a country home rather than a hotel. There are original Old Masters on the walls, a spa, boats on the river, two pools and a truly wonderful afternoon tea.
• It might be a surprising suggestion, but a good place to escape the daily crowds in Henley in the evening is to stay in Reading. Here our Gurus recommend The Forbury, a stylish townhouse hotel with 23 suites and apartments and bright, modern interiors. There’s also a restaurant and a popular bar.

For great value

• The Miller of Mansfield is a traditional, ivy-covered inn in the pretty village of Goring-on-Thames. There are 15 individually designed suites, views of the river and the restaurant is well reviewed. But rooms start from around £80 per night.

If you haven’t found your idea of the best places to stay for the Henley Regatta on our Guru’s list you could:

• Expand your search to include all the best places to stay in Buckinghamshire?
• Or browse through our list of all the best places to stay in Henley? or all the best places to stay in Marlow?
• You might also want to consider our Guru's recommendations for 8 of Buckinghamshire's Best Pubs with Rooms? or 6 of the Most Romantic Hotels in Buckinghamshire?
• Or you could contact one of our friendly Gurus for personalised advice.