Last Saturday we planned a family day out in Melton Mowbray but by the time everyone was up and ready to go it was quite late and so we decided to stay more local and re-visit Henley-in-Arden.
Henley has a High Street which is a mile long with many interesting buildings which date back 600 years with examples of medieval and Georgian architecture. In fact, it has been called a museum of domestic architecture. Over 150 of the buildings are listed as being of special architectural or historical interest.
The Bluebell - sorry about the parked cars - they always seem a problem when it comes to taking a photo in towns and villages!
What a lovely name for a cottage and a lovely little window in the front door to match the name.
Ready for Chinese New Year.
Lanes lead off the High Street with names related to work that used to be carried out there.
The Three Tuns - there are a lot of inns along the High Street!
George House - a 16th century timber-framed building which was once the George and Dragon Inn.
The Market Cross
The original market was held at nearby Beaudesert where a castle was located built by Thurstone de Montfort - William I had decreed that all markets should, for security reasons, be held only in fortified cities, towns or castles. However, in 1220 Henry III allowed the market to be moved to Henley-in-Arden. The market cross itself is 15th century and originally stood over 22 feet high and was made of local stone. The head was four-sided with niches containing carved religious images - The Rood, The Trinity, St Peter and the Virgin and Child. Today only the base of 3 steps and a part of the shaft remain.
The White Swan - a restored 16th century coaching inn.
Henley Ice Cream
This building was once the home of William James born in Henley on 13th June 1771 and died at Bodmin on 10th March 1837. He was a lawyer, surveyor, land agent and transport visionary and proprietor of the Stratford Canal, promoter of Stratford-Moreton Tramway and instigator of the Liverpool and Manchester railway. Known as "Father of the Railway System".
Henley Heritage Centre housed in a 14th century building. This is well worth a visit but was closed on Saturday.
You don't see a Barber's sign very often these days - or not where we live.
Tumbledown Cottage - what a quaint name :)
The Church of St John the Baptist - I will do a separate post later in the week on the church interior.
Time for lunch and we had a very good meal at The Nag's Head - highly recommended and the service was excellent.
Timothy waiting for the drinks to arrive!
The Elizabethan Half-timbered Guild Hall which stands to the North of St John the Baptist.
After lunch B, D and E went for an icecream while I had a look round the church and my favourite artist's shop with work by Brian Tovey.
All photos taken by me with the Panasonic Lumix FZ330 bridge camera.
11 comments:
Thank you for sharing the photos of the buildings (looking forward to the church) they are stunning, I would looking round here. It's so good there are so many still standing and been used.
Think there should be a no car and bin day once a year, it's the bins that drive me mad!
Beautiful photos as ever and a interesting read.
Amanda xx
What a lot you pack into your days out, RR! And you always have an eye for the interesting and unusual. I have just looked at the art on Brian Tovey's site: I particularly love his animal paintings (and those wonderful chickens). Henley looks a fascinating place to visit. The closest I have (probably) ever been is Mary Arden's farm near Wilmcote. Such a beautiful part of the world in terms of landscape and architecture. I also rarely see a barber's pole these days: there was one at the end of Salubrious Passage on Wind Street (lots of Dylan Thomas links...) when we lived in Swansea. I'm so glad Timothy joined the party and was well wrapped up in his fine clothes. I look forward to learning about the church - and hope the rest of the family enjoyed their ice creams. Oh, and I don't see any signs of snow: Cambridge had a bit lying on Saturday, but nothing too much.
Looks prettier than I imagine Melton Mowbray is
Amanda Peters - Thanks so much Amanda :) Lots of the houses in Henley have been restored very well. Lots of shops etc but many residential properties too. Agreed about the cars and bins!! The more picturesque the village/town the more bins and cars there seem to be!!
Caroline Gill - Thanks so much Caroline. So glad you found his website. The chickens are great :) My son bought me a couple of prints a few years ago of his paintings - one of Solihull High Street and the church and one of "Conker Lane" in Solihull. Then when we visited his shop (again some years ago) I fell in love with a small original oil painting of primroses which son bought me for a birthday/Christmas present. Last Saturday I treated myself to a print of one of his paintings of St Michael'sChurch Baddesley - one of my favourites. Would take photos and post them but always worry about copyright!! So best not to.
Mary Arden's farm is now far from Henley. It is a rather lovely area - sometimes I should appreciate more what is on my doorstep! :)
No snow here either despite it being forecast! but we have had some heavy frosts!!
Simon Douglas Thompson - Thanks Simon. Not been to Melton Mowbray so not quite sure how pretty it is. But may be driving through there soon on the way to somewhere else so will compare :)
Lovely photos of some interesting buildings, such a lot of history within those walls. We visited many years ago (1980s) but I have very little memory of it so would love a return visit. Love the names of the cottages. I'm looking forward to your post on the church:)
Rosie - Thanks so much Rosie. I hope you get chance to return one day. There is another church a few hundred yards behind the one I visited which I haven't been too and I would like to see what remains of the castle, if anything.
What a beautiful town, the buildings remind me somewhat of Ludlow.
Toffeeapple - Thanks so much. I never thought of that comparison but you are right - I can see the similarity :)
There is some really lovely and interesting architecture in that street.
The buildings are lovely, they're just so 'English' aren't they!!
CherryPie - Thank you and yes it is a lovely town.
Pam - Thank you - yes it does show a lot of English architectural history :)
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