Style -- 14 hours ago
Words: Violet
Ah, Henley. What could be more quintessentially British? There’s sport, the grandeur of the British countryside in one of Oxfordshire’s loveliest towns, Henley-On-Thames, AND plenty of boozy picnics.
The first Henley events took place in 1839 and since then the rowing competition has grown into a starry fixture of the British social season. It got its ‘royal’ prefix when Prince Albert agreed to be a parton in 1851 – since then, every reigning monarch has agreed to be a patron. Not that the HRHs have much time to drop by – it’s just after Ascot and slap-bang in the middle of Wimbledon, you see.
Nevertheless, even without the presence of royalty, Henley is still a highlight on the social calendar. It is estimated that 25,000 pints of Pimms will be drunk over the course of the five day event, alongside 4,500 bottles of champagne. Punters bring picnics to nibble at the water’s edge, and there’s traditionally a bit of rivalry between long-standing families about who owns the smarted hamper. As with many British sporting events, the rowing at Henley is – although marvelous – mostly an excuse to have plenty of fun and sit outside for a few hours.
One of the most recognizable things at Henley is the dress code. Like Ascot, there is a strict code for women – at least in the Henley Champagne and Cocktail Club, which is the only bit that matters. Women have to wear skirts that fall to below the knee and are also encouraged to don hats (although the elite rowing circles aren’t so keen on anything that could obscure the view). This means that this is one occasion where men can outshine women in their dress – Henley is a cornucopia of brightly-striped blazers, look-at-me cravats and stylish straw boaters. Another fixture is toy furry rabbits which – God knows why – are traditionally associated with racing. The best place to people-spot is at the Henley Champagne and Cocktail club, where you can sip a delicious premium spirit from the unique Chase Distellery and munch on a fresh pizza at the halfway point. Henley may be a bit Brideshead for everyone’s taste – but that’s half the charm.
For more information on Henley regatta, visit hrr.co.uk
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