Dorchester-on-Thames

Dorchester-on-Thames has probably been continuously inhabited since the Bronze Age and has an illustrious past, but is now a quiet village with a fine abbey, antiques shops, inns and restaurants.

Its name is Roman and it was a Roman walled town. It became cathedral city of Wessex in AD 634 and later of Mercia.

The see was finally transferred to Lincoln in 1070. The church, founded by St Birinus in the seventh century, became an abbey in the 12th century when it was taken over by a Priory of Augustinian canons and the Norman cruciform church was built. But its architectural glories, including its famous Jesse Window, dated from the 14th century, when the choir was rebuilt “by a designer of great originality whose use of sculpture combined with tracery is without parallel on this scale not only in England but in Europe”, according to the great architectural critic, Nikolaus Pevsner.

Dorchester Abbey would probably have gone the same way as its conventional buildings after the Dissolution, but, in 1536, Richard Beauforest bought the church and it has been the parish church ever since.

Places To Go

Dorchester Abbey and Museum: The Abbey is open 365 days a year, 8am to 6pm and entry is free. There is a small museum in the grounds — the Old School Room is open from April to September, 2pm to 5pm, daily, free entry. For more information, visit the website: www.dorchester-abbey.org.uk

Useful Information

Dorchester on Thames Parish Council: The Pigeons, High Street, call 01865 340759, or visit the website: www.dorchester-on-thames.co.uk
Post office: 12 High Street.
Abbey Sports Centre: Green Furlong, Berinsfield. 01865 341035.
Newspapers: Oxford Mail, daily, 35p, The Oxford Times, every Friday, 80p. Website: www.theoxfordtimes.co.uk

Henley

Now a Fairtrade town, Henley is most famous for its Royal Regatta, which has been held in July since 1839 and gives an already attractive Thames-side town a carnival atmosphere in summer.

Henley grew in the 12th century at the river crossing and later became a port for the supply of timber, corn and malt to London.

Market day is Thursdays and continental markets are held throughout the year.

Places To Go

The Kenton Theatre: New Street. Live performances and films. Call 01491 575698 or visit the website: www.kentontheatre.co.uk
Regal Cinema: Boroma Way, call 01491 414150.
Bohun Gallery: Contemporary British fine art. 15 Reading Road. Closed Wednesday and Sunday. Visit the website: www.bohungallery.co.uk, or call 01491 576228.
Chiltern Sculpture Trail: near Christmas Common. Open daily, all year. Call 01865 778918.
River and Rowing Museum: Mill Meadows, call 01491 415600 or visit the website: www.rrm.co.uk
Stonor Manor House: Watlington Road, near Henley, call 01491 638587.

Useful Information

Henley-on-Thames Town Council: Council offices, Town Hall, Market Place, call 01491 576982 or visit the website: www.henleytowncouncil.gov.uk
Post office: Bell Street.
Information Centre: King’s Arms Barn, King Road, call 01491 578034 or visit the website: www.visithenley-on-thames.co.uk
Henley and District Indoor Sports Centre: Gillotts Lane. 01491 577909.
Newspapers: The Oxford Times, every Friday, 80p. Website: www.theoxfordtimes.co.uk