The Red Lion Hotel Regatta Hospitality
The Henley Royal Regatta was first held in 1839 and, in the years since, has become both a world renowned rowing event and quite simply the quintessential image of the southern British Summer.
The Red Lion Hotel, Bar and Restaurant offers one of the most prestigious locations overlooking the River Thames just a few yards from the Royal Regatta finishing line. The hotel's breath-taking views of the river and it's close proximity to the buzzing town centre make it the ideal spot to enjoy the weeks races and festivities.
Enjoy the Regatta in style in one of our newly refurbished, river-view rooms with free parking and a 24 hour residents bar! Finish your day in the only Champagne Bar in Henley at the Red Lion serving only the finest selection of chilled bubbly as the Sun goes down.
For an unforgettable corporate hospitality event or private Royal Regatta experience, be sure to call our Regatta Coordinators, who will be happy to discuss your personal requirements, on 01491 572 161 or email: events@redlionhenley.co.uk
Not quite what you had in mind? We are happy to tailor make our packages to suit your personal requirements and ensure that your Regatta experience truly is everything it should be!
Click here to download a PDF of the brochure.
1886 - Henley in July by Joseph Ashby-Sterry
O, COME down to Henley, for London is horrid;
There's no peace or quiet to sunset from dawn.
The Row is a bore, and the Park is too torrid,
So come down and lounge on the "Red Lion" Lawn !
Then, come down to Henley, no time like the present,
The sunshine is bright, the barometer's high -
O, come down at once, for Regatta-time's pleasant,
Thrice pleasant is Henley in laughing July !
Now, gay are the gardens of Fawley and Phyllis,
The Bolney backwaters are shaded from heat;
The rustle of poplars on Remenham Hill is,
Mid breezes ęstival, enchantingly sweet !
When hay-scented meadows with oarsmen are crowded -
Whose bright tinted blazers gay toilettes outvie -
When sunshine is hot and the sky is unclouded,
O, Henley is splendid in lovely July !
Ah me ! what a revel of exquisite colours,
What costumes in pink and in white and in blue,
By smart canoistes and pretty girl-scullers,
Are sported in randan, in skiff, and canoe !
What sun-shaded lasses we see out a-punting,
What fair gondolieres perchance we espy.
And house-boats and launches all blossom and bunting -
O, Henley's a picture in merry July !
If it rains, as it may, in this climate capricious,
And Beauty is shod in the gruesome galosh;
While each dainty head-dress and toilette delicious
Is shrouded from view in the grim mackintosh !
We'll flee to the cheery "Athena" for shelter -
The pâté is perfect, the Giesler is dry -
And think while we gaze, undismayed at the "pelter",
That Henley is joyous in dripping July !
The ancient grey bridge is delightful to moon on,
For ne'er such a spot for the mooner was made;
He'll spend, to advantage, a whole afternoon on
Its footway, and loll on its quaint balustrade !
For this of all others, the best is of places
To watch the brown rowers pull pantingly by,
To witness the splendour, the shouting, the races,
At Henley Regatta in charming July !
When athletes are weary and hushed is the riot,
When launches have vanished and house-boats are gone,
When Henley once more is delightfully quiet -
'Tis soothing to muse on the "Red Lion" Lawn !
When the swans hold their own and the sedges scarce shiver -
As sweet summer breezes most tunefully sigh -
Let us laze at the ruddy-faced Inn by the River,
For Henley is restful in dreamy July !
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