´óÏó´«Ã½

In the midst of this summer's Olympic hype, Henley-on-Thames is hosting its very own taste of the Beijing buzz.

The River & Rowing Museum in Henley is tracing the history of Olympic British rowing and giving you the chance to sit 'In The Cox's Seat'.

The Olympic torch from the 1908 London games and the boat in which Sir Steve Redgrave won his fifth Olympic gold medal can both be seen in the range of memorabilia on show.

Olympic rowing in Henley 1908.

The exhibition displays the heritage of British rowing. Reaching right back to the beginning of the 20th century, Henley-on-Thames' rowing tradition is documented back to the 1908 London Olympics. The rowing was held in the town and four British gold medals were won.

If you have ever wondered what being in an Olympic race is really like, here is your chance…

The exhibition includes an interactive 360° panoramic feature called 'In The Cox's Seat', giving visitors the opportunity to see what sitting in a professional race boat is like.

Coxless four gold medallists at Sydney 2000.

Having one of the UK's leading regional and sporting museums on our doorstep gives us the chance to follow our athletes throughout this summer's games.

River & Rowing Museum trustee and chief executive, Paul Mainds, says: "Steps to Beijing provides a great opportunity for people to really get involved and feel part of the Beijing Olympics.Ìý

Debbie Flood and her crew at Athens 2004.

"It's an easy, accessible and fun way to learn about our past successes and to follow local British rowers as they compete in the Olympic Games."

Everybody wants to support the home team, and the Olympic Games are no exception with many British rowers living right here in the Thames Valley.

Steps to Beijing is going to follow the progress of local Olympic rowers Debbie Flood (Women's Quadruple Scull Team), Steve Williams and Peter Reed (Men's Four), Alex Partridge and Richard Egington (Men's Eight).

The Steps to Beijing exhibition runs until November 2008.

For information on admission and opening times: