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National Geographic
16-07-2025
- National Geographic
This town on the Thames is fit for royalty—but has so much more to offer
This article was produced by National Geographic Traveller (UK). The River Thames has long been the lifeblood of Henley. For centuries, it welcomed merchant ships carrying wine and grain from London. Trade with the capital transformed it into a thriving port town, Tudor and Georgian townhouses steadily gilding the streets around its medieval marketplace. But it wasn't until 1839, when oars hit the water for the inaugural Henley Regatta, that the town made the leap from prosperous port to fashionable resort. Featuring more than 400 races spread out across the first week of July, the boating event now attracts over 300,000 visitors every year, with spectators gathering for riverside picnics at Remenham Farm, Temple Island and other vantage points. It wasn't until 1839, when oars hit the water for the inaugural Henley Regatta, that the town made the leap from prosperous port to fashionable resort. Featuring more than 400 races spread out across the first week of July, the boating event now attracts over 300,000 visitors every year. The regatta remains a key cornerstone of Henley's identity, but with local chefs using British produce to put a spin on dishes inspired by distant cultures, the town is also becoming something of a culinary hotspot. What's the food & drink scene like? January 2025 saw the opening of The Duke, a cosy gastropub a few streets back from the river. All dark-wood panelling and plump, striped cushions, it specialises in small plates cooked over open-flame grills, with head chef Ryan Honey serving up dishes like lamb shoulder tacos and king prawns with yuzu and jalapeño. Steps from the riverside is Hart Street Tavern, whose breakfast menu includes a hearty full English complete with crispy hash browns. Come evening, you'll find diners tucking into cauliflower popcorn, miso Cornish cod and punchy tropical cocktails. For supplies, head to the Market Place, which hosts a farmers' market twice a month. Just off it, Pavilion is a café and deli stacked with sauces, preserves and pastas. Grab a speciality coffee from the front counter or book one of its small-group cookery classes, held in the open kitchen. With local chefs using British produce to put a spin on dishes inspired by distant cultures, the town is also becoming something of a culinary hotspot. Photograph by The Duke Pub Where can I stay by the river? Try The Relais Henley, which overlooks the pale stone of Henley Bridge. Originally a 16th-century coaching inn used to house the craftsmen working on nearby St Mary's Church, the property went on to welcome a weary Charles I, whose coat of arms still rests above the fireplace in room 108. Today, The Relais' secluded courtyard serves as the centrepiece to 40 Georgian-style rooms furnished with suede armchairs and four-poster beds. Pop down to the accompanying restaurant for dishes such as roasted monkfish in tangy ginger and lemongrass sauce. Otherwise, head to Tavern Townhouse, a Grade II-listed boutique hotel in the Market Place. Opened in October 2024, its six rooms combine heritage features with contemporary flourishes. Expect restored fireplaces, freestanding bathtubs and abstract artworks — all less than a five-minute walk from the river. What else is worth checking out? The Henley Distillery — a multi-award-winning spirits producer based on Hampstead Farm in neighbouring Binfield Heath — shouldn't be skipped. Owned and operated by master distiller Jacob Wilson and his family, the site features a tasting room set within a 200-year-old barn. Visitors can sample gins and rums around its curved bar during the distillery tour or take part in the three-hour gin-making experience, choosing from almost 100 different botanicals to craft their own blends. For those looking to venture into the surrounding countryside, there's Greys Court, a 14th-century country manor with Tudor chimneys overlooking the Chiltern Hills. The surrounding grounds feature walled gardens and two repurposed outhouses; seasonal produce is sold in the old woodshed, with the former cowshed now serving as a tearoom. Head back into town to peruse independent shops like Calvert Jones, which stocks cookbooks, handmade jewellery and luscious potted plants — or dive into Henley's rich riverside history at the River and Rowing Museum, which houses a collection of boating memorabilia alongside artworks from the likes of Henley local John Piper. The surrounding grounds of Greys Court feature walled gardens and two repurposed outhouses; seasonal produce is sold in the old woodshed, with the former cowshed now serving as a tearoom. Photograph by National Trust Images; Hugh Mothersole Published in the July/August 2025 issue of National Geographic Traveller (UK). To subscribe to National Geographic Traveller (UK) magazine click here. (Available in select countries only).
Sunday World
29-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Sunday World
Stars turn out for Joe Duffy's last show as he finally calls time on Liveline
Broadcasting legend Joe hosted going-away drinks in Dublin city centre pub The Duke on Friday night after officially signing off as Liveline host Ryan Tubridy arrived at The Duke with his new fiancée Dr Clare Kambamettu Ronan Collins believes his pal Joe Duffy did the right thing retiring from his Liveline show before he reached the age of 70 – and reveals he gave him lots of advice before he make his decision. Broadcasting legend Joe hosted going-away drinks in Dublin city centre pub The Duke on Friday night after officially signing off as Liveline host. Ryan Tubridy chose the retirement party to make his first public appearance with his new fiancée Dr Clare Kambamettu since the announcement of their engagement. A beaming Ryan called over photographers to where the couple were and said with a smile 'I presume you want a picture of the ring?!'. Sadhbh Byrne with her mum, Suzy Byrne and Mike Murphy Clare proudly showed off her sparkler, with the couple being congratulated by well-wishers. Speaking to the Sunday World, Joe's close pal Ronan says they spoke recently about life after RTÉ. Just over two-and-a-half years ago in December 2022 Ronan (72) caused shockwaves when he gave up his weekday noon slot on RTÉ Radio One. At its peak, 250,000 listeners tuned into the Ronan Collins Show. The father of three now presents a regular music show, The Collins Collection, on bank holidays and also programmes for RTÉ Gold. The one-time showband drummer decided to pack in his Radio One show having just turned 70 and being with RTÉ since 1979, replaced by former Today FM presenter Louise Duffy. 'He used to come into me every day at half 12 to do his little promo, and we had long chats about things,' Ronan tells the Sunday World. 'It was always his complete dedication that got him through. It was extraordinary how dedicated he was. 'I would have said to him even before he made the announcement, 'Joe there will come a time when this will come into your head, when it's put in your head by your family or elsewhere.' Aonghus McAnally and Brush Shields at Joe's party 'You need to get it into your head yourself, the time to finish, and stick with that'. I said 'you will find the release to be quite extraordinary and you will be able to enjoy your last weeks or months'.' Ronan believes Joe (69) has made the right decision to quit after hosting Liveline for nearly 27 years.. 'I just think it was great for him. I saw him on the Six One News today (on Friday), which even though I'm away we watched, and I just thought he looked so relaxed and calm and very happy in where he is today. That's the important thing. He owes RTÉ nothing,' he says. 'I'm away in Portugal so I didn't hear his last show, but I have spoken with Joe recently. 'I'm delighted for him that he's finished, because having experience, when you reach that age, it becomes quite a burden and it becomes very difficult to give up, so it was a very big decision and the right decision, I think, for him.' While Ronan was not able to make Joe's going-away party, some of RTÉ's biggest former and current stars turned out to say farewell on Friday. Among those at the party were Miriam O'Callaghan, Aonghus McAnally, Brush Shields, Syl Fox, John McColgan, Mike Murphy, Health Minister Dr Jennifer Carroll MacNeil, Gay Byrne's daughter Suzy and daughter Sadhbh, and Charlie Bird's widow Claire Mould. Joe was earlier in the day joined by his going-away show by his wife June and their triplet children, who are now aged 30. A number of high-profile presenters, including Katie Hannon, have been tipped to take over from Joe; however, Ronan says he believes Joe is irreplaceable. 'I mean he's going to be very hard to replace. To get somebody who's going to mould themselves into Liveline, it's going to be a tough gig because it was Joe who made it what it was. Ryan Tubridy arrived at The Duke with his new fiancée Dr Clare Kambamettu 'He put him own stamp on it (replacing Marian Finucane). I hope whoever goes in for the long term is allowed to put their own identification on it. 'He was just extraordinary the way he stuck at it for so long through thick and thin, and he and I used to have long chats.' He points out that even though Joe was on air for just an hour and 15 minutes with his show, it took up so much more of his time. 'I was out socially with Joe on a number of occasions through the years and it showed Joe's Liveline life wasn't just an hour day, it was every waking hour of the day because people were extraordinary how they came to him and he never turned him away,' he notes. Miriam O'Callaghan with Joe Duffy at Joe's party News in 90 Seconds - June 29th 'It was easy for me, I was in showbusiness, but Joe's various social stuff, that he always tried to keep at social and human stuff, and didn't allow it to be political. It was a great gift that he had.' He says that many will miss him on the radio, but argues Joe had to think of his own future. 'I think the relief showed on Joe's face today, that he has given his all and now it's time to give the same attention to his own life now, to his wife June and his kids, and do the things he wants to do now,' he adds. 'Of course, he'll find out like everybody who retirees, that there's not enough hours in the day to do all the things that you wanted to do.' Ronan has not looked back on his own departure. 'It was the second-best decision in my life,' he reflects. 'The best one was agreeing to do the job in the first place in 1979, and the next best decision was agreeing to stop, or deciding to stop. 'It was just the right time for me, two-and-a-half years ago and I believe it's the right time for Joe now, before he hits 70.'
Extra.ie
29-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Extra.ie
In Pics: Tubs and fiancee among stars who rocked up at Joe's leaving do
Ryan Tubridy and his fiancée, Clare Kambamettu, were among the stars who rocked up to Joe Duffy's farewell do. His Liveline programme was famous for its good-humoured Funny Friday episodes. So it was no surprise some of the musicians and comedians who made the show a hit turned up to raise a toast and bid farewell to Joe Duffy after he presented his last-ever Liveline on Friday. Aonghus McAnally and Brush Shiels. Pic: Michael Chester Among them were Funny Friday stalwarts Brush Shiels, Aonghus McAnally and Sil Fox. They were joined at The Duke pub, just off Grafton Street in Dublin, by Joe's RTÉ colleagues, Miriam O'Callaghan, Marty Morrissey and former broadcaster Mike Murphy. Miriam O'Callaghan and Joe Duffy. Pic: Michael Chester Former Late Late Show host Ryan Tubridy made his first public appearance with his fiancée, Clare Kambamettu, since they announced their engagement. Joe, wearing one of his trademark colourful waist coats, stopped to chat with people on the street as he arrived at his party. Joe Duffy. Pic: Michael Chester Ryan Tubridy and fiancée Clare. Pic: Michael Chester Marty Morrissey. Pic: Michael Chester Aonghus McAnally and Brush Shiels. Pic: Michael Chester Mike Murphy with Gay Byrne's daughter, Suzy, and granddaughter, Sive. Pic: Michael Chester Miriam O'Callaghan and Joe Duffy. Pic: Michael Chester
Irish Independent
28-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Irish Independent
Ryan Tubridy's fiancée shows off engagement ring at Joe Duffy's retirement party
The pair turned up to Joe's party in Dublin city centre pub The Duke on Friday night. A beaming Ryan called over photographers to where the couple were and said with a smile: 'I presume you want a picture of the ring?!'. Dr Kambamettu then proudly showed off the engagement ring, with the couple being congratulated by well-wishers. The former Liveline host, who left his show on Friday after nearly 27 years, was congratulated at the bash in The Duke by a collection of well-known faces and friends. Among those at the party were Miriam O'Callaghan, Aonghus McAnally, Brush Shields, Syl Fox, John McColgan, Mike Murphy, Marty Morrisey, Alan Hughes and Karl Broderick, Brenda Donohue, Health Minister Jennifer Carroll MacNeill, Gay Byrne's daughter Suzy and her daughter Sive, and Charlie Bird's widow Claire Mould. Joe was earlier in the day joined on his final show by his wife June and their triplets, who are now aged 30. Former RTÉ Radio and Late Late Show presenter Tubridy recently confirmed his good news on his Virgin Radio show after 'miscommunication' between him and a Co Galway jeweller. O'Dalaigh Jewellers in Clifden said Tubridy had bought the ring for a 'very special lady' and the post, which was subsequently deleted, was accompanied by a photo of the jeweller Jonty Daly and the couple posing together outside the store. Tubridy proposed to Clare by the Atlantic shore, and the couple later celebrated in local hotels. Revealing the news on his radio show at the time, Tubridy told listeners: 'I have a little bit of news that I've been keeping to myself, to ourselves.' "I'm very, very, very happy to confirm I did get engaged to my partner Clare in the west of Ireland.' Tubridy thanked a number of listeners for sending in their well-wishes following the announcement and said 'it's a very beautiful feeling' and 'a very exciting time to be alive'. "We were surrounded by gorgeous people who we didn't know, strangers in the hotel, and people who were working around the place and got a beautiful ring organised, and the weather was gorgeous,' he said of the couple's time last week. "And it's just the accumulation of a lot of lovely things happening, and I just decided now is the time. More to follow in terms of details and all the rest of it. And by the more to follow, I mean I'll tell my family first. "It's a very exciting time to be alive. I'm a very, very lucky man, and I think it's one of those beautiful moments where the world feels lighter.'
Sunday World
28-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Sunday World
Ryan Tubridy's new fiancée shows off sparkler at Joe Duffy's going-away party
A beaming Ryan called over photographers to where the couple were and said with a smile 'I presume you want a picture of the ring?!'. Ryan Tubridy arriving at Joe Duffy's farewell party with his new fiancee Dr Clare Kambamettu. Photo : Mark Doyle RYAN Tubridy chose Joe Duffy's retirement party to make his first public appearance with his new fiancée Dr Clare Kambamettu since the announcement of their engagement. The pair turned up to Joe's going-away drinks in Dublin city centre pub The Duke on Friday night. A beaming Ryan called over photographers to where the couple were and said with a smile 'I presume you want a picture of the ring?!'. A gushing Clare then proudly showed off her sparkler, with the couple being congratulated by well-wishers. The former Liveline host, who left his show on Friday after nearly 27 years, was congratulated at the bash in The Duke by a collection of well-known faces and friends. Ryan Tubridy and his fiancée Clare Among those at the party were Miriam O'Callaghan, Aonghus McAnally, Brush Shields, Syl Fox, John McColgan, Mike Murphy, Marty Morrisey, Alan Hughes and Karl Broderick, Brenda Donohue, Health Minister Dr Jennifer Carroll MacNeil, Gay Byrne's daughter Suzy and her daughter Sive, and Charlie Bird's widow Claire Mould. Joe was earlier in the day joined by his going away show by his wife June and their triplet children, who are now aged 30. Ryan Tubridy arriving at Joe Duffy's farewell party with his new fiancee Dr Clare Kambamettu. Photo : Mark Doyle News in 90 Seconds - June 28th Former RTÉ Radio and Late Late Show presenter Tubridy recently confirmed his good news on his Virgin Radio show after 'miscommunication' between him and a Co Galway that Tubs had bought a diamond ring from their store. O'Dalaigh Jewellers in Clifden said Tubridy had bought the ring for a 'very special lady and the post, which was subsequently deleted, was accompanied by a photo of the jeweller Jonty Daly and the couple posing together outside the store. Tubs proposed to Clare by the Atlantic shore, and the couple later celebrated in local hotels. Revealing the news on his radio show at the time, Tubridy told listeners: 'I have a little bit of news that I've been keeping to myself, to ourselves.' "I'm very, very, very happy to confirm I did get engaged to my partner Clare in the west of Ireland.' Tubridy thanked a number of listeners for sending in their well-wishes following the announcement and said 'it's a very beautiful feeling' and 'a very exciting time to be alive'. "We were surrounded by gorgeous people who we didn't know, strangers in the hotel, and people who were working around the place and got a beautiful ring organised, and the weather was gorgeous,' he said of the couple's time last week. "And it's just the accumulation of a lot of lovely things happening, and I just decided now is the time. More to follow in terms of details and all the rest of it. And by the more to follow, I mean I'll tell my family first. "It's a very exciting time to be alive. I'm a very, very lucky man, and I think it's one of those beautiful moments where the world feels lighter.' Co Kildare based Clare is a clinical psychologist and a former Rose of Tralee and it's believed that she and Tubridy began dating after she appeared as a guest on his former RTÉ Radio 1 One show. Her father is from India and her mum from Athy. Since leaving RTÉ, Tubs now hosts a daily show on Virgin Radio in London which is also broadcast on Q102. RTÉ was plunged into crisis in the Summer of 2023 after it admitted understating the fees for its star presenter and previous top-earner.
