Hidden Henley

Glance through the carriage arch where The Old White Hart used to be (now Zizzi) and you will see this easily missed mythical male deer sculpture on the roof opposite. In her Henley guide book of 1866, Emily Climenson says about this place “The White Hart in Hart Street is another ancient inn. There was a gallery running round the yard at the back and tradition relates that from thence the inhabitants were accustomed to witness the spectacle of bull and bear baiting”.

The origin of this Grade II listed building is medieval, with parts dating to around 1300 and some of the outside walls are built of Tudor brickwork. The cost of transporting bricks back then would have necessitated using a brickyard fairly close. Nettlebed, perhaps? Some better informed reader may be able to advise. During the 18^th century it was probably the town’s most important coaching inn with stabling for up to 73 horses and saw as many as 18 coaches stop daily on routes between London and major cities like Oxford.

A little more recently, an advertisement reproduced in Views of Henley-on-Thames by Margaret Shaida promotes it in this way: “accommodation for boating parties, motorists, cyclists and fishing parties. Headquarters of Cyclist’s Touring Club and the National Automobile Society, and the Headquarters of the Henley Angling Society. Garage and pit. Livery and bait. Garage to accommodate between 40 and 50 cars. Open and closed carriages. Terms on application to W. Fox.”