Imagine stepping off a busy main road and suddenly finding yourself in a riverside haven—and yet this is precisely the main charm of Benson Waterfront Café. Located on the main Oxford to Henley Road, it’s quite easy to overlook it. Yet, a short walk around the main building brings about a dramatic transition. It’s like crossing from one world into another, from the hum of motor traffic to the gentle lapping of the Thames and the relaxed laughter of daytrippers.
Once you venture around the building, you’re greeted effectively by riverside destination complete with day boating activities (courtesy of Bygone Boating), a Hoseasons holiday park, as well as the café itself. The outdoor seating area, set on an expansive stepped terrace, offers breathtaking westward views down the Thames and across the opposite bank to the lush green countryside. Originally a modest shop and café serving holidaymakers and boaters with souvenirs and essentials, Benson Waterfront Café has since developed into an easy going, relaxed eatery. Its comfortable decking area now attracts a whole array of visitors—from friends and couples to cyclists, walkers, and solo adventurers.