For some of us the Henley Regatta is a less well known event than say Royal Ascot, however I have to say there is much more evidence of tradition and class at Henley.
It is an event that for the English upper class has become about being there to be seen and socialize rather than to watch the rowing.
What you will not know about this event is that it is all about having a splendid picnic in the car park! No truly, this is the thing to do. Out come picnic tables (proper wooden ones, not the fold away camping type), sun umbrellas, chairs, Crystal glasses, family china and the most superb food. Oops and lets not forget the Pimms and champagne!
Car parks are highly sort after and are allocated to members of the Stewards Enclosure. So the more important or rich you are the better the parking spot.
My colleague Mark kindly invited us to join his pals in the car park where his friend Will had a rather well positioned park. We were lucky enough to arrive in time for pudding and had the pleasure of pavlova with a lemon/cream filling. Thumbs up to Will’s mum for whipping up their picnic and including enough for us.
About Henley Royal Regatta:
Henley Royal Regatta is a rowing pool event held every year on the Thames where it passes the town of Henley-on-Thames. The regatta lasts for 5 days (Wednesday to Sunday) and races are head-to-head knock out competitions, raced over a course of 1 mile, 550 yards.
The first regatta was held in 1839 and has been held annually ever since, except during the two World Wars. It became a royal regatta in 1851, when Prince Albert became the first royal patron.
There are basically two main enclosures apart from the club enclosures. The Stewards enclosure is and the Regatta enclosure.
The Stewards Enclosure is open only to members (max 5,000) and their guests and the waiting list for membership is several years long. Men are required to wear a "lounge suit, blazer and flannels, or evening dress, and a tie". Women are required to wear a dress or skirt that covers their knees, and are "encouraged to wear a hat". Anyone not suitably dressed can be refused entry, no matter their prestige in rowing or elsewhere. The use of mobile phones is also prohibited.
The Regatta Enclosure is open to all on payment of the admission fee and there is no dress-code. However most people get into the spirit and dress up. Yep that was us!
Mark (wearing traditional cap and blazer) and Corinna
See more photos here:
A picnic fit for kings
Entry by badge not ticket
Baby Mozart time...clearly Rose is enthralled
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