Henley Four Oaks

JudenSteve
JudenSteve Forum Participant Posts: 169
edited October 2016 in UK Campsites & Touring #1

Just wondering what it's like might give it a go next weekend and we are after a site where we can park the car for a couple of days and walk into town, any thoughts ? Thanks.

 

Comments

  • Tinwheeler
    Tinwheeler Forum Participant Posts: 23,155 ✭✭✭
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    edited October 2016 #2

    It's a fairly typical CC site.

    It depends how far you can comfortably walk as to whether it suits for walking into the town. It was too far for us but younger, fitter people do it. 

    Parking in the town can be a problem.

  • DavidKlyne
    DavidKlyne Club Member Posts: 13,872 ✭✭✭
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    edited October 2016 #3

    Its certainly an easy walk into the town with a pavement all the way. My only problem with that site is the road noise especially if you are unlucky enough to get a pitch along that side of the site. Further into the site it won't be such a problem. There
    are some pictures of the site
    here
    . The last time we stayed at Henley we used
    Swiss Farm
    , because Four Oaks was fully booked and we were going to the Olympic Rowing, which is next door but set further back from the road. Henley is a very nice place to spend a few days or longer.

    David

     

  • cyberyacht
    cyberyacht Forum Participant Posts: 10,218
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    edited October 2016 #4

    It's good for red kites as well. We were there about this time last year.

  • JudenSteve
    JudenSteve Forum Participant Posts: 169
    edited October 2016 #5

    We are ok for the walk into town Tinwheeler and as for Swiss farm it's all booked up. According to google earth it's about a mile into town so easy enough weather permitting of course.

  • Kennine
    Kennine Forum Participant Posts: 3,472
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    edited October 2016 #6

    Easy flat walk into the town.  The site itself is next to a main road and the traffic noise polution can be off-puting  starting at around 06.00 Hrs.-- If possible I would recommend you pitch as far away from the road as you can. 

    We were there for the Henley regatta a couple of years ago. Great atmosphere in the town. 

  • EasyT
    EasyT Forum Participant Posts: 16,194
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    edited October 2016 #7

    Last time we were there we were on pitch 60 and the noise did not bother us at all. About 0.4 miles into Town. Easy walk

  • IanH
    IanH Forum Participant Posts: 4,708
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    edited October 2016 #8

    As other have said, the walk into town is easily do-able.

    We've been twice and last time we were on one of the pitches nearest the road. There was definitely a fair amount of road noise, but it was bearable. Further into the site and you would avoid this small problem.

    Although you don't want to use your car, if you change your mind on that, there are lots of places to visit by car - nice towns as well as several NT properties.

  • Wildwood
    Wildwood Club Member Posts: 3,585
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    edited October 2016 #9

    We have used it and and had no problem with noise but did pitch right at the back. The town is walkable provided you have no dissabilities.

  • EasyT
    EasyT Forum Participant Posts: 16,194
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    edited October 2016 #10

    Bus stop not far from memory if needed

  • cyberyacht
    cyberyacht Forum Participant Posts: 10,218
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    edited October 2016 #11

    I've just measured it on Google Earth. From the gate at the corner of the site to the Market Square is 1260metres. Swiss Cottage is 1100 meters from where the touring pitches start, so not a lot of difference.

  • SUBBY
    SUBBY Forum Participant Posts: 36
    edited October 2016 #12

    the walk into town is my wife has a dicky hip and she make it. As for the road noise even by the road is barely noticeable I would be uncomfortable without traffic noise anyway Subby

  • chasncath
    chasncath Forum Participant Posts: 1,659
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    edited October 2016 #13

    As EasyT has said, there's a bus stop near the campsite entrance. Henley in one direction, Marlow in the other.

  • KeefySher
    KeefySher Forum Participant Posts: 1,128
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    edited November 2016 #14

    There is free car parking at the playing fields by Marsh Lock that gives you a chance to walk across the river below the weir, or downstream to the rowing museum.

    Drive toward Marlow and park for free in the Hambleden car park and walk back across the weir and downstream to the Flower Pot for lunch.

    Luxters winery is a good tour to do.

    The main bus service from High Wycombe to Reading runs the A4177, the road past the caravan site so you can get the bus at any time

  • little boy blue
    little boy blue Forum Participant Posts: 19
    edited November 2016 #15

    Great site to walk into Henley.  15 minutes walk, lots of places to eat and drink.  Busses from bus stop 5 minutes away go to Marlow, High Wycombe or Henley, Reading etc.  Nice walks either cross country or once in Henley, either towards Marlow or towards
    Sonning along the river.  

  • DEBSC
    DEBSC Forum Participant Posts: 1,364 ✭✭
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    edited November 2016 #16

    Only been there once, about three years ago. The only pitches left were those near the road, it was summer but it was far too noisy to be able to sit outside the van. Wouldn't go back to this site while there is a chance of having to have a pitch near the
    very noisy traffic.

  • mbee1
    mbee1 Forum Participant Posts: 557
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    edited November 2016 #17

    The road noise can be very intrusive but didn't bother us.  From memory the HS pitches are the ones near the road. The grass pitches are further away but will be out of use now.  Pleasant and flat easy walk into Henley. 

  • JudenSteve
    JudenSteve Forum Participant Posts: 169
    edited November 2016 #18

    We have it booked and aim to get there at 12.00 to have a chance of getting a better spot, not too worried about road noise this time of year as it'll be too cold to sit outside and after a few beverages i'll be out like a light.Smile Thanks for your help folks.

  • Rubytuesday
    Rubytuesday Forum Participant Posts: 952
    edited November 2016 #19

    We have it booked and aim to get there at 12.00 to have a chance of getting a better spot, not too worried about road noise this time of year as it'll be too cold to sit outside and after a few beverages i'll be out like a light.Smile

    Write your comments here...it won't matter what time of the year it is , it's a major road so there will always be road noise and if out walking in the dark take extra care cars are travelling extra fast they want to get home quicker in Autumn/winter enjoy
    your stay Henleys is a lovely place Smile

  • Kennine
    Kennine Forum Participant Posts: 3,472
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    edited November 2016 #20

    Yes there is considerable road noise at Henley , but to put it into perspective, the train noise from the adjacent main rail line at Berwick Seaview is much louder. . So if you like and can bear the noise at Seaview, the road noise at Henley will not be
    an issue.

  • DavidKlyne
    DavidKlyne Club Member Posts: 13,872 ✭✭✭
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    edited November 2016 #21

    Unless its changed since we were last there it is the actual road surface that causes the noise. Most of the noise could be resolved by a better, smoother surface. It could also be reduced if the Club in stalled a fence along the length of the site next to the road. I would have thought that neither would be massively expensive and I am surprised the Club have not taken action even if it meant sharing the cost of resurfacing. However I expect if would not produce any more revenue for the site as its often fully booked so I doubt any money will be spent!!!

    David

  • cyberyacht
    cyberyacht Forum Participant Posts: 10,218
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    edited November 2016 #22

    There must be about two dozen of the HS that are away from the road and another dozen that are not right next to it so it's unlikely to be problematic, particularly at this time of year with the windows shut, your blown air heating roaring away and the TV running at full volume. Wink

  • KeefySher
    KeefySher Forum Participant Posts: 1,128
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    edited November 2016 #23

    There must be about two dozen of the HS that are away from the road and another dozen that are not right next to it so it's unlikely to be problematic, particularly at this time of year with the windows shut, your blown air heating roaring away and the TV
    running at full volume. Wink

    and in my case, taken my hearing aids out, silence is golden Tongue Out

  • IanH
    IanH Forum Participant Posts: 4,708
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    edited November 2016 #24

    Unless its changed since we were last there it is the actual road surface that causes the noise. Most of the noise could be resolved by a better, smoother surface. It could also be reduced if the Club in stalled a fence along the length of the site next
    to the road. I would have thought that neither would be massively expensive and I am surprised the Club have not taken action even if it meant sharing the cost of resurfacing. However I expect if would not produce any more revenue for the site as its often
    fully booked so I doubt any money will be spent!!!

    David

    I agree  David.

    The tarmac surface of the road is very coarse and doesn't really need to be. It's the sort of surface that's normally used on steep hills or areas subject to regular freezing......neither of which apply here.

    We found that, even on a pitch next to the road, with the door shut it wasn't a huge problem.....but sitting outside was a bit wearing.

  • JudenSteve
    JudenSteve Forum Participant Posts: 169
    edited November 2016 #25

    Well it was a lovely site in a good position just outside Henley and barely a 15 minute walk to all the action, the road noise wasn't a problem but then again with the cold weather all doors and windows remained shut with us on the inside but as mentioned
    above the noise would be an issue in the summer months when you'd want to sit outside more.

  • Dunclair
    Dunclair Forum Participant Posts: 127
    edited November 2016 #26

    We were there last week. We had a HS pitch well away from the road and didn't really hear it. We did hear planes though in the early morning. I'm not sure which airport they were using but it seemed to stop about 9 am.

    Henley is lovely, as is Marlow. Even though it was cold and wet, we enjoyed our stay. The walk along the Thames riverbank from the town bridge to the lock is very enjoyable, even in the rain. Interesting to see how others live. In an agent's window we saw
    a derelict house advertised for £1 million!

    If you are not a motor homer and like to use the 25K plus car you bought, the car park behind the Waitrose supermarket is large and cheap. Buy some not-cheap stuff in Waitrose and the car park is free. (Cheaper to pay the car park fee!)

     

  • Shaun1958
    Shaun1958 Forum Participant Posts: 8
    edited November 2016 #27

    We are here at the moment on pitch 79. Fairly close to the road but it is cold and we are in the motorhome so any road noise is not a problem. If it was warm and we wanted to relax outside it may be a problem! Lots of walking available locally. The road
    to Henley itself can be a problem after rain as the council have allowed the drains to become blocked and I did get splashed as couple of times by careless drivers. The town itself is nice enough and worth a wander around.

    The site is nicely kept with a clean, bright shower block.

    All in all, well worth a visit.

  • IanH
    IanH Forum Participant Posts: 4,708
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    edited November 2016 #28

    Shaun - yes, we also got soaked by an ignorant car driver, while walking into Henley. So much so that we had to turn back to get changed! Sad

    Dunclair - I believe the airliners are from / to Heathrow and I enjoyed watching them pass quite low overhead. Laughing