The London social season dates back centuries, evolving from a time when wealthy aristocrats and their families travelled from their country retreats to the capital for a busy programme of balls, dinners and sporting events.
Today, the best of British summertime takes place in the countryside as well as in the city, with world-class events like Glyndebourne and Hay attracting thousands of visitors each year.
Here are some of the key events to discover around the UK this summer:
Chelsea Flower Show, 20 – 24 May
The annual RHS flower show in Chelsea is a highlight of the London summer calendar. Held for over 100 years in the grounds of Royal Hospital, Chelsea, the show holds international prominence, attracting garden designers from as far afield as Barbados and Japan to compete for a coveted gold medal.
Chelsea provides plenty of inspiration for amateur gardeners too, with dozens of show gardens to explore while sipping a glass of Pimm’s. The 12,570m² Great Pavilion hosts more than 500 exhibitors, and specialist nurseries often reveal new plants at the show.
Glyndebourne Festival, 16 May – 24 August
The beautiful grounds of Glyndebourne manor house in East Sussex host a world-class opera programme each summer in a 1200-seat auditorium. A long interval during each performance allows for picnics on the elegant lawn, and audience members typically wear black tie, honouring founder John Christie’s desire to show respect to the performers.
This year’s performance schedule includes Mozart’s Marriage of Figaro, the first opera ever staged at Glyndebourne.
Hay Festival, 22 May – 1 June
Historian Simon Schama and children’s author Michael Rosen feature on the lineup at this year’s Hay Festival, which takes place over 10 days in the picturesque town of Hay-on-Wye on the Welsh border.
Thanks to a vibrant programme of talks, debates and workshops, Hay has become a highpoint of the literary year, and now has a global reach, with Hay Festivals taking place in Kenya, Mexico, Spain, Peru and Colombia.
Royal Ascot, 17 – 21 June
Famously Queen Elizabeth II’s favourite race meeting, Royal Ascot dates back over 300 years. Horses and jockeys from around the world take part in 35 races over five days, competing for over £10 million in prize money.
The Royal Enclosure is particularly notable for its strict dress code – including morning suits for men and dresses below the knee for women – but formal occasionwear is required in all areas of the grounds.
Thursday is Ladies’ Day at Ascot, when the famous Gold Cup takes place. First raced in 1803, at two miles and four furlongs, this marathon race tests stamina as much as speed.
Wimbledon, 30 June – 13 July
The world’s oldest grand slam, Wimbledon takes place over a fortnight in June and July. This year, British hopeful and world number 6 Jack Draper joins a draw that includes 2024 men’s finalists Novak Djokovic and Carlos Alcaraz.
Tickets for the show courts can be hard to come by, but dedicated spectators can join the famous Wimbledon Queue in the hopes of securing a ticket for the same day. Away from the courts, the Wimbledon grounds offer a festival atmosphere accompanied by traditional strawberries and cream.
Henley Royal Regatta, 1 – 6 July
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First established in 1839, Henley is the world’s most prestigious rowing regatta. Crews from around the world compete in a series of knockout competitions on the Thames, while spectators cheer from the riverbank with a picnic. Formal hospitality is also available at the rowing clubs and enclosures along the river.
The Stewards Enclosure is a members-only area on the Berkshire bank near the finish line. A strict dress code is enforced, and mobile phones are banned.
Cowes Week, 2 – 8 August
Rounding off the British sporting summer, Cowes Week is a celebrated sailing regatta that takes place on the Isle of Wight. Over two centuries, the event has grown to host around 5,000 competitors showcasing a spectrum of abilities, from Olympic athletes to amateur yachtspeople.
The small town of Cowes welcomes more than 60,000 visitors over the course of the week-long event. Non-sailors can follow the action either on shore or on one of several designated spectator boats.
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