Few events are more quintessentially British than the Henley Royal Regatta. Founded in 1839, it’s arguably the most famous rowing event in the world, held every year in Henley-on-Thames, just west of London.
Nearly 300,000 spectators — dressed in striped rowing blazers and floral dresses — flock to watch elite and amateur rowers cross the finish line here. But the Henley Royal Regatta is more than just a sporting event; it’s a major date in the social calendar for Britain’s upper crust.
Glass of Pimm’s at the ready? Read our whistlestop guide to the Henley Royal Regatta.
Image Credit: Getty Images, Daisy-Daisy. Image Location: Henley On Thames, England
Where is the Henley Royal Regatta?
The Henley Royal Regatta takes place every year in Henley-on-Thames, a chocolate-box-pretty town in the south Oxfordshire countryside, just 1hr 15min from central London by train.
Henley was once voted one of the most beautiful towns in England by The Times — and it’s easy to see why. Traditional Georgian buildings and brick-and-flint cottages give the town a quaint feel. The River Thames — where the regatta takes place — hugs the town’s eastern fringe, backed by ancient woodland and the rolling Chiltern Hills beyond.
What happens at the Henley Royal Regatta?
Over 300 rowing races take place over six days at Henley, finishing on the first Sunday in July. You’ll see a whole range of sporting abilities — from elite athletes to students and junior teams — racing in single sculls to eight oar boats.
Generally, races start at 9am on weekdays and slightly later during the weekends, finishing around 7.30pm. The format is straightforward: two boats race each other almost 7,000 feet (2,112 meters) upstream with the winner proceeding into the next round. Sunday marks the grand final. Traditionally, only male rowers were allowed to take part in the Royal Regatta, but thankfully this changed to include women in 1981.
Image Credit: Getty Images, Robert Harding / robertharding. Image Location: Henley On Thames, England
Do you need a ticket to go to the Henley Royal Regatta?
Yes, you do. There are two places in Henley-on-Thames from which you can watch the Royal Regatta: the Stewards’ Enclosure, which is members-only, and the Regatta Enclosure, which is open to the public.
Anyone can buy a ticket for the Regatta Enclosure, but they are in high demand. Tickets go on sale in the spring, but they usually sell out months before the regatta itself, similar to Wimbledon.
The best way to secure tickets is to sign up to their mailing list. You’ll then receive an email alert when tickets go on sale to the public.
Is there a Henley Women's Regatta?
Yes, the Henley Women’s Regatta takes place around ten days before the Royal Regatta. It uses the same course along the River Thames, but it’s slightly shorter. 1,500 female rowers from all over the country come to compete. Unlike the Royal Regatta, no tickets are required; you can just turn up and watch from the riverbank.
Image Credit: Getty Images, Peter Adams
What is the dress code for the Henley Royal Regatta?
Historically, the Henley Royal Regatta was known for its very strict dress code. However, in recent years, the rules have been relaxed –– at least partially.
In the Stewards’ Enclosure, men must wear lounge suits or a jacket with trousers and a tie or cravat. Women are required to wear “dresses or skirts with a hemline below the knee”. Hats are recommended but not compulsory. Trousers weren’t allowed to be worn by women until 2021; now, trouser suits are permitted. Shorts, leggings, tracksuits, and jeans are a big no-no.
The Regatta Enclosure is far less stringent nowadays. There is no official dress code, although attendees tend to follow a similar pattern. Think summer dresses, blazers, and chinos. It’s a much more informal atmosphere than the members-only enclosure.
How do you get to the Henley Royal Regatta?
Henley-on-Thames is very easy to get to by train. From London, take the train from Paddington Station to Twyford. Change here and a few stops later, you’ll be at Henley-on-Thames station. The spectators' enclosures are less than ten minutes away on foot.
The journey time from London to Henley-on-Thames is approximately 42 minutes each way, making it an easy day trip. Head to the Trainline app for deals on tickets, plus information on train times and service updates.
Header Image Credit: Getty Images, Frank and Helena. Image Location: Henley On Thames, England