Henley-on-Thames Town Council Green Spaces and Parks
Henley-on-Thames has a wealth of recreation areas, green spaces and parks. These include:
Freeman’s Meadow
A recreational area and town green located next to The Fairmile that includes a children’s playground.
Makins Recreation Ground
A recreation ground located on Greys Road just above the Scout Hut.
It includes a children’s play area, a concrete multi-wheeled facility (skateboard park) and outdoor gym equipment.
Mill & Marsh Meadows
A large riverside recreational area that includes a fantastic toddler play area as well as an older childrens’ adventure playground (reopened in June 2024), public toilets and acres of open space. There is also a wildlife walk, and the riverside towpath to Marsh Lock. Click here to read The Mill and Marsh Meadows Management and Maintenance Plan 2021 – 2026.
Gillotts Field
Henley Town Council purchased Gillotts Field in the early 1990s for public recreation and has subsequently been registered as a Town Green.
Adventure Golf
This new facility was launched April 2022 in place of the putting green. Featuring miniature versions of all the big sites in Henley – including Kenton Theatre, St Marys Church, George Harrison’s House, Temple Island. Taking you through 18 holes of miniature golf. More information here
Please contact Henley Information Centre for more information on all our parks and recreation facilities: Tel: 01491 576982.
If you’d like to hire a space in our parks, download a booking form.
In addition, the Town Council manages the Sports Facility at Jubilee Park.
Freemans Meadow
Freemans Meadow is an informal open space just minutes from the town centre. Tucked away behind residential roads, the park has a variety of mature trees and a large field for play. An easy 10-minute walk or bike ride from the town centre. It can be reached via Northfield End to the north of the town. There are joining paths off the Fairmile and Luker Avenue too.
- Dedicated play area for toddlers and children
- Swings, zip wire
- Ball games allowed – Football posts for a kickabout.
- Walk the dog
- Picnics (no BBQs please)
There are no public toilets on site. The nearest public toilets are found a short walk away at the Kings Road Car park.
Makins Recreation Ground
Our upgraded play park has picnic tables and benches, as well as a large field, outdoor gym and skatepark and comes with a lovely view! Plus in 2024 a basketball hoop was installed.
Makins Recreation Ground is located on Greys Road just above the Scout Hut.
If you are arriving by car, there is a small car park on the town side of the park, street parking on Greys Road above The Close or alternatively the Greys Road Car Park is a 7-minute walk away (RG9 2AA).
- Dedicated play area for toddlers and children
- Take your first steps (or pushes) to skateboarding or improve your skills at the skatepark – suitable for skateboards, BMX bikes and scooters.
- With a pull up bar, cross trainer, exercise and hand bikes and leg and chest press machines, the gym is for the whole community to get fit for free
- Ball games allowed – Football posts for a kickabout and a basketball hoop.
- Picnics (no BBQs please)
There are no public toilets on site. The nearest public toilets are found a short walk away at the Greys Road Car park (RG9 2AA).
Mill and Marsh Meadows
Mill and Marsh Meadows form the principal recreational park in Henley, with Green Flag status, and are located adjacent to the River Thames upstream of Henley Bridge.
The towpath bordering the park on the eastern side, forms part of the Thames Path – a national trail which stretches 184 miles from the Thames’s source in the Cotswolds to the Thames Barrier in London.
You will find a toddler play area, an adventure playground, adventure golf, a bandstand (with live music on Sundays in the summer), canoe hire, café, bowling club and flower beds dedicated to Henley’s twin towns.
Marsh Meadows is more informal in nature comprising rough grass, trees and hedges and a wildlife area which contains a small reed bed, shallow ponds and a wet, flower rich, meadow conservation area.
The park has held the prestigious Green Flag Award since 2014 recognising it as one of the best green spaces in the country!
If you are arriving by car, access is by Meadow Road which leads directly into the Pay and Display Car Park.
Mill and Marsh Meadows is accessible via public transport with bus stops and train services within minutes of the park.
Public toilets for ladies and gents, plus a toilet for the disabled and family room, are provided on the ground floor of the Leichlingen Pavilion, adjacent to the pay and display car park. These are open 7 days a week from 8 am to 5 pm in summer and 8 am to 3.00 pm in winter and are maintained by Henley Town Council.
Gillotts Field
Henley Town Council purchased Gillotts Field in the early 1990s for public recreation and has subsequently been registered as a Town Green.
In the year 2000, local people planted 2000 native trees and shrubs to mark the Millennium and in 2001, a wildlife hedge was planted along the eastern boundary.
It is a lovely spot to walk your dog – but please clean up after them!
Adventure Golf
Take the plunge on a journey around Henley right here on the bank of the River Thames. With 18 holes of adventure golf fun, you’ll navigate your ball around Henley’s landmarks. Play past Friar Park, the home of Beatles’ member George Harrison, and over his iconic Fender Stratocaster; see the beautiful Temple Island; be careful not to lose your ball in the Thames as you hit it over Henley Bridge; have a photo with Matthew Pinsent and Steve Redgrave and see one of their actual rowing boats.
Henley Outdoor Sports Centre
Henley Outdoor Sports Centre (including Jubilee Park),
Reading Road,
Henley-on-Thames,
Oxfordshire.
Bookings: Enquiries
email enquiries@henleytowncouncil.gov.uk
Tel: 01491 576982 (Henley Town Council)
Bandstand Concerts by the River
The bandstand at Mill Meadows is available for hire (free of charge) for muscial concerts on Saturdays or Sundays throughout the summer.
For further information about Music by the River, please contact the Henley Information Centre.
Henley Bowls Club
Henley Bowls Club is based at the Leichlingen Pavilion in Mill Meadows and welcomes visitors and new members. All are welcome to their Monday evening summer coaching sessions and social activities in the winter.
For further information on the Bowls Club please click below
