Henley on Thames makes a good base for this route, but none of the questions relate to the riverside town. The majority of this drive is along the narrow, country lanes of hidden Oxfordshire & neighbouring Buckinghamshire.
Many of the villages it passes through are really only hamlets. While negotiating the backroads, watch out for horseriders, hikers & farming vehicles. Take your time & enjoy the variety of terrain in the countryside, so close to the Capital. Oh, & keep an eye open for that elephant!
The 17th century pub in Stoke Row, the Crooked Billet, was supposedly a hideout for the highwayman, Dick Turpin, as he allegedly was having an affair with the landlord's daughter, Bess (perhaps he named his famous horse, Black Bess, after her.....).
The unusually named 'Christmas Common' has three possible origins. It was the location of a Christmas Day truce in the English Civil War in 1643, a large number of holly trees grow in the area or, more likely, a historical connection with the local Christmas family. More recently it was used as a location for a couple of Midsomer Murders episodes.
On the subject of TV & film locations, Hambleden was used in '101 Dalmations', 'Chitty Chitty Bang Bang', 'The Avengers TV series & even used in 'Little Britain' as the Welsh village Llanddewi Brefi.
