Henley
One of the highlights of the English summer season, the Henley Royal Regatta (called ‘Henley’ for short) is an annual rowing regatta in Henley-on-Thames, England. The event takes place every year around the first week of July. To help you get the most out of a day at the races, here is a helpful guide.
What are the Dates of the Henley Royal Regatta?
The event takes place annually over five days, from a Wednesday in late June or early July until the following Sunday.
Eating and Drinking at Henley
There are plenty of concession stands selling food and drinks at Henley. Bars and restaurants line the river, and hospitality packages are available for those that want sit-down meals and afternoon tea. If you drive, consider bringing a picnic to eat in the car park or along the river.
As far as drinks go, Pimm’s and champagne are the most common drinks consumed at Henley, and can be purchased at any of the bars along the river.
How to Watch the Rowing at Henley
The rowing races take place on the Thames, and the course is around 2,112 metres long. From the starting point to the finish, the river is lined with enclosures, shops, hospitality tents, and concession stands. Some of these are open to the general public, while others require pre-paid badges in order to use their tables, chairs, and other facilities.
Additionally, there is a thin strip of land along the river where people sit and watch the races. Picnics can be brought and enjoyed here, and the atmosphere is generally lively. If you go to the Henley Royal Regatta on the Saturday, make sure to arrive early if you plan to sit along the river. The area gets very crowded, and it can be difficult to find a place to watch the races if you arrive too late.
The Enclosures at Henley
There are two main enclosures at Henley, the Stewards’ Enclosure and the Regatta Enclosure. The former is very exclusive, and entry is only open to members and their guests. It has a strict dress code, and women’s dresses must be below the knee.
The Regatta Enclosure is open to the public and has a slightly more laid-back atmosphere. There is no dress code, but people still generally wear suits and dresses.
You can find more information about tickets and badges for the enclosures at Henley here.
How to Watch the Rowing at Henley
The races take place from around 7:00am until just before 7:30pm, so it’s easy to watch the regatta all throughout the day. You can purchase a programme with the schedule in it when you arrive, or just listen to the announcements at the start of each race to find out which teams are competing.
How to Get from London to Henley for the Regatta
The easiest way to get from London to the Henley Royal Regatta is to take a train from Paddington station. The train station in Henley is located right by the Thames, and it is easy to walk from there to the races.
If you travel by train, be sure to arrive at Paddington with plenty of extra time before your train departs, especially if you go on the Saturday. Queues for the ticket machines and counters are long, and the platform for trains to Henley is one of the farthest away from them, so it’s easy to miss your train if you don’t arrive in good time. You can find out more about trains from London to Henley here.