Hurley brings together traces of medieval priory history and the riverside setting around Hurley Lock. Its historic heritage stretches from a priory founded in 1086 to surviving architectural features dating from around 1300. At the lock, the Thames Path, bridges and fishing take centre stage. These different themes can help you choose the focus of your stay: historic buildings, the parish church or riverside paths.
Hurley Priory and its surviving architectural features
Geoffrey de Mandeville founded a priory in Hurley in 1086. Hurley Priory is considered an outstanding example of a monastic complex surrounded by a moat and is designated a Scheduled Monument. Visible remains include a rectangular moat, fishponds and various buildings. The refectory, part of the north cloister range dating from around 1300, and the priory wall also survive.
The incorporation of some remains into the present-day village also forms part of the Priory’s history: remains of the priory buildings are integrated into private houses around the small green next to the church. The inn, The Olde Bell, dates from 1135 and was built as a guesthouse for the priory. Together, these details illustrate different stages of the village’s history, from the year the priory was founded to medieval building features and its former use as a guesthouse.
St Mary the Virgin Church
St Mary the Virgin Church adds another perspective on Hurley’s religious architectural history. It has neither aisles nor a tower; a bell-turret was added later. The building is marked by numerous Norman features. It also contains tombs of the Lovelace family. St Mary the Virgin is listed as a Grade II* building in the National Heritage List for England.
The priory and the church represent different aspects of the area’s cultural heritage: the priory is defined by its remains and the architectural form of the complex, while the church brings together architectural features and tombs. The Thames is also part of Hurley’s history. Records of a ford date back to the 6th century, and the river has always been important to the development of the village.
Hurley Lock and the Thames Path
Hurley Lock is a place to explore paths and the riverside. The Thames Path crosses the lock structure via a footbridge; another bridge leads into the village of Hurley. Beyond Marlow, the Thames Path passes through Hurley; this section runs towards Henley-on-Thames. The route and bridges offer a different perspective on the village from its medieval buildings.
From Hurley village, follow the footpath and pedestrian signs to reach Hurley Lock, a distance of about 0.1 miles. Visitors to the lock may use the public car park in the village. Fishing at Hurley Lock is permitted from sunrise to sunset. The approximate distance, village car park and permitted fishing hours are practical points to help with planning; they describe different conditions for a visit to the river.
The Hurley Regatta
The Hurley Regatta is a long-standing village community tradition on the River Thames in Hurley and has been running since 1973. Its format includes both watching and taking part, with races and challenges for people of different ages and levels of experience and confidence. Recent editions have featured raft races, bathtub races, canoe and kayak races, paddleboard races and katakanu races. The competitions held may vary from year to year, and event dates can also change. Check the dates and programme before travelling.
When choosing the focus of your trip, two clearly distinct themes are available: priory and church history, or the river, its paths, fishing hours and regatta. Those interested in architectural history can explore the specific remains and features described here. Those who want to focus on the river can use the information about Hurley Lock and the Thames Path as a guide, without assuming that the regatta follows a fixed annual programme.
Discover more destinations: Cookham, Windsor, Old Windsor, Sunninghill, Maidenhead, Sunningdale, Datchet, Wraysbury
See the regional travel guide: Windsor and Maidenhead.
