Port Henley – Beer, Brewing and Barges

- New exhibition unveils scandals and famous faces of Henley’s thousand-year-old history -

1 March 2011: Port Henley, a revealing new exhibition that provides vivid glimpses into Henley’s history as a trading town spanning 1,000 years will take place at the River & Rowing Museum from 12 March until 10 July, including during Henley Royal Regatta week.

Making your own beer with Loddon Brewery is just one of many exciting activities on offer at this exhibition that starts in the Museum but encompasses the whole town through self-guided walking tours. Henley was once one of the most significant ports in Britain after London, providing a third of London’s grain. With success and wealth came scandal, intrigue and plotting. Against this backdrop, trade flourished with London and the wider world. Now’s your chance to explore the real Henley and uncover a few mysteries along the way. This exhibition is a must for all Henley residents!

Highlights include:

• A self-led walking tour of Henley brings to life the iconic places that captured the imaginations of Britain’s best-loved writers such as Daniel Defoe
• Make your own beer and learn about home brewing in Henley and the town’s long-established malting and brewing industries
• Learn about how luxuries such as silk and commodities such as timber were transported by river and road as ‘Floating Freight,’ both to London and the wider world
• Try your hand at calculating at a reckoning table and loading a model boat
• Discover the key people and places in Henley throughout the years – from the Reeve of Cuxham Manor to the famous malthouses
• ‘Webbs Wharf’ tells the unique story of benevolent coal trader Robert Webb, who built a reading room for his 55 workers and ran an annual garden show
• Learn about how the last cooper at Brakspears made barrels
• Gold angel coin on loan from the Ashmolean
• Hear the songs of the bargemen
  

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Press information

Rohini Bajekal 0207 221 7883 rohini.bajekal@kallaway.com

Catherine Yoxall 01491 415642 catherine.yoxall@rrm.co.uk

Notes to Editors

The River & Rowing Museum (rrm.co.uk )

The River & Rowing Museum, an independent charity, is one of the UK's leading regional and sporting Museums, attracting over 100,000 visitors a year. The Museum also has a purpose built education centre visited by over 20,000 children and adults a year. The Museum provides superb value for money. Tickets are £8 for adults and £6 for children and provide free access for one year. The Museum celebrates four themes explored through a wide variety of exhibitions and events across four galleries and special exhibitions:

• The past, present and future of the River Thames
• The historic riverside community of Henley on Thames
• The international sport of Rowing
• The Wind in the Willows
  

• The Museum, terrace café and shop are open every      day from 10am - 5.30pm in summer and 10am - 5pm in the winter
• Tickets give FREE admission for a whole year!
• Admission is just £8 for adults, £6 for children      aged four and over, FREE for children aged three and under and £6 for      senior citizens and concessions
• Free parking for visitors
  

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