Top places to live in Warwickshire Henley-in-Arden

The one-mile long High Street here is a conservation area with more than 150 buildings of historic interest, close to the lush ancient Forest of Arden and Stratford. Part of our Top 200 Places to Live series.

Henley-in-Arden High Street

WHY?

Not to be confused with Henley-on-Thames, this is one of Warwickshire’s oldest market towns dating back to the 12th century. The unspoilt high street has more than 150 buildings of historic interest, including the timber-framed Guild Hall, a community hub. Henley’s extremely close to Stratford-upon-Avon (8.5 miles), the thriving market town of Alcester (8 miles) and Studley (7 miles). Its central location, avenue of elegant Cotswold stone houses, lively pubs, great schools, and picturesque canals make it an appealing place to live.

EAT

Try Cheal’s of Henley for fine dining, The Butcher’s Social and Dolce Caffe for fresh Italian coffee. In nearby Studley, Bumbles Coffee House and Zero Waste Store is lovely, as is Studley Castle. Slightly further afield is the Garden Restaurant at Hiller’s Farm Shop, Fleur de Lys, Lowsonford on the banks of the Stratford Canal and The Crabmill at Preston Bagot.

SHOP

Local high street independents include Henley Vintage, Henley House, and Studio 34. We’re also fans of Warwickshire Artisans, Giftivity and Henley Chocolates at Yew Tree Farm Shopping Village, Hillers Farm Shop, in Alcester, KLR Interiors for kitchen/bedroom design and Bonds Lifestyle.

NEARBY ATTRACTIONS

Wootton Park is a stunning rural setting in nearby Wootton Wawen village for weddings, glamping with hot tubs, well-being retreats, horse-riding and wake-boarding. Then there’s Warwick Castle and the RSC in Stratford on the doorstep. Stratford-upon-Avon canal and its towpaths are pretty, peaceful, spots for walks and narrow boat trips with Edstone Aquaduct in Henley being one of the longest cast iron aqueducts in England.

The National Trust’s beautiful heritage properties in Warwickshire include Charlecote Park, a Victorian country house and landscaped deer park that is an easy drive away. Compton Verney Art Gallery and Park, with brilliant bijoux exhibitions – Canaletto, Magnum Manifesto and a Lucas Cranach digital tour to name but a few – is close too. Summer exhibition On Colour has been postponed until 2021.

AVERAGE HOUSE PRICE

£387,012 in the past 12 months. Semi-detached properties were most popular in Henley-In-Arden selling for an average of £368,233. Detached properties sold for around £534,850, with terraced properties fetching £377,222. Good local estate agents in the area are Vaughan Reynolds, John Earle, John Shepherd and RA Bennett.

HOT PROPERTY

Launch property gallery

SCHOOLS

There are three outstanding grammar schools: Alcester, King Edward VI School, Stratford, and Stratford Girls’ Grammar. The independent Henley-in-Arden Montessori Primary School sits alongside Henley-In-Arden CE Primary School, Henley-in-Arden School, and St Mary’s RC Primary School. Independent options include: Warwick Independent Foundation schools, The Kingsley School, Leamington Spa and Princethorpe College near Rugby.

BEST KEPT SECRET

Henley Ice Cream parlour. Not only can you mull over 50 different traditional flavours made on local Midlands farms but tuck into hearty breakfasts, lunches and afternoon teas – all in a gorgeous 16th-century timber building packed with history. The original family ice cream company opened in the 1930s and went on to be voted the best in the UK – it’s now independently run by a mum and daughter.

COMMUTE

It’s around 2.5 – 3 hours by rail from Henley train station to London Euston; or the alternative is 1hr 20 minutes from Warwick Parkway to London Marylebone. The fastest driving route is on the M40 and takes just over 2 hrs, traffic dependent.

View the full Top 200 Best Places to Live