The Centre
Located in the main High Street of this historic market town, the Heritage Centre is a museum of the town’s history from the Norman Conquest to the present day.
The Museum & Heritage Centre at Henley-in-Arden, near Stratford-upon-Avon, England is a unique facility made possible by the generosity of a former Lord of the Manor of Henley-in-Arden, Joseph Alexander Hardy of Pennsylvania and inaugurated by his daughter, Robin Hardy Freed, in November 1996.
Please take a look round our site. We look forward to welcoming you on a visit to the Centre very soon.
This Week in History
9th December 1939
The first large scale A.R.P. exercises were carried out in Henley on Saturday 9th December 1939. All the services in the town combined in demonstrating how they would deal with an emergency. Difficult problems were tackled during the two hour test as the enemy was assumed to be passing over the town in relays, dropping bombs. Events came in quick succession and despite the wind and rain interested people gathered at each scene. All the operations were followed closely by the Hon. A E Parker (Chief Warden for the County).
(Henley's Home Guard 1942)
See More Weeks In History
Thursday 31 July 2025
The Heritage Centre will be part of the National scheme: Heritage Open Days 2025
Heritage Open Days is England's largest community led festival of history and culture, involving thousands of local volunteers and organisations. Every year in September it brings people together to celebrate their heritage, community and history. Stories are told, traditions explored, and histories brought to life. It’s your chance to see hidden places and try out new experiences – and it’s all FREE.
The Heritage Open Days event runs from Friday 12th until Sunday 21st September. The centre will be open normal opening hours but will be open longer on Saturday 13th September: 12 - 4pm. https://www.heritageopendays.org.uk/submission-event/henley-in-arden-museum-heritage-centre.html
The Memorial Hall are also taking part in the Heritage Open Days scheme on Saturday 13th September 10 - 4. https://www.heritageopendays.org.uk/submission-event/henley-in-arden-memorial-hall-2025.html
We will reopen 1st April 2026.
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