“When travel journalist Sophie Campbell squeezed into heels and a hat to investigate the English social season, she got more than she bargained for. Why, she wondered, were events such as the Chelsea Flower Show, the Royal Academy Summer Exhibition, The Derby at Epsom, Royal Ascot, the Henley Royal Regatta, Wimbledon Fortnight and Glorious Goodwood so formal, so fashionable and so famous?
Her hectic and sometimes hilarious journey through the English summer proved as exotic as any tribal rite of passage as she swam the River Thames in the dark, partied with owners and trainers at Ascot, camped out for Wimbledon, joined Irish Travellers at The Derby, infiltrated the parents stand at the Eton v Harrow cricket match and got caught using a mobile in the Stewards Enclosure at Henley. En route she found a fascinating and surprisingly complex social structure dating back to the time of the Stuart monarchs and involving fashion, food, art and the marriage market. The English summer will never be the same again.”
Summer of sport is CANCELLED... Wimbledon, Ascot, the Olympics and cricket face the chop as coronavirus looks set to wipe them out with Euro 2020 already pushed back to next year
The English Season
The English Season comprises a number of quintessentially British social and sporting events that take place during the spring and summer each year.
Our luxury accommodation in Eton and Windsor is set in the ideal location and provides the perfect place to reside when attending any of the English Season events.
We can arrange for tickets and event packages for our guests through our concierge services, and organise chauffer-driven transportation to the events if you would like to travel in style.
Evolving with the English nobility and aristocrats in the 17th and 18th centuries, the traditional highlights of the English Season now include the Chelsea Flower Show, the Epsom Derby, Royal Ascot, the Wimbledon Tennis Championships, Henley Regatta, Glorious Goodwood and Cowes Week among others. However, this has greatly expanded over the years to capture many fabulous events for which England is now famous.
The events are now as diverse as rowing, horse racing, classic car shows, tennis, polo, golf, cricket, motor racing and music festivals for both the young and the “seasoned”. There is something for everybody!
Many of the occasions are a wonderful excuse to dress up in tailcoats or blazers, elegant dresses and extravagant hats, and all provide the best food, champagne and entertainment available.
For a full event list and calendar, visit our English Season Calendar.
Here are the events though that we think make the perfect English Season (dates vary annually):
Cartier International Polo
Hosted by the Guards Polo Club, the Cartier International Polo Day takes place in Windsor Great Park in late July.
The Cartier International is much more than polo - guests enjoy gourmet food and exclusive shopping.
Chelsea Flower Show
Hosted in May by the Royal Horticultural Society, The Chelsea Flower Show is held at the Chelsea Royal Hospital.
Experience award winning gardens, exhibits, trade stands, cafes and restaurants.
Cheltenham Gold Cup Festival
Taking place in March - four days of the best horse jump racing at Cheltenham Racecourse – with over 220,000 attendees each year.
Cowes Week
Cowes Week is the largest sailing regatta in the world - taking place since 1826.
8,500 competitors take part in August each year - from Olympic and world class professionals to weekend sailors.
Web: www.cowesweek.co.uk
Epsom Derby
The Derby, or Epsom Derby, is a flat horse race in early June – and is Britain’s richest horse race.
Web: www.epsomderby.co.uk
Formula 1 British Grand Prix
The British Grand Prix takes place at the Silverstone circuit in July, but started at the historic Brooklands racetrack in 1927. Glamour, fast cars and VIP enclosures make this a very special event.
Web: www.silverstone.co.uk/events/2012-Formula-1-Santander-British-Grand-Prix/
Goodwood Festival of Speed
The world’s greatest car event featuring classic cars, Formula One drivers, driving experiences and more. Usually held during late June and / or early July.
Glorious Goodwood
Glorious flat horse racing spread over five days every August – along with exclusive entertainment and culinary delights.
Glyndebourne Opera Festival
The Glyndebourne Opera Festival in August is a must for all opera lovers – taking place from May through to August.
Web: www.glyndebourne.com
Henley Royal Regatta
Henley Royal Regatta is the best-known regatta in the world. Five days of rowing and VIP socialising during late June.
Web: www.hrr.co.uk
Last Night of the Proms
The Proms consists of 70 concerts in the Royal Albert Hall, London - culminating in the Last Night in September. The Last Night is traditionally a lighter evening than the other concerts and is a display of English eccentricity at it’s best.
Web: www.bbc.co.uk/proms
Louis Vuitton Classic
The Louis Vuitton Concours d'Elegance of vintage cars is held at the Hurlingham Club. It usually takes place every June.
Royal Ascot
For over 250 years, Royal Ascot has been a showcase for the best racehorses in the world. Takes place in the third week of June every year.
Web: www.ascot.co.uk
The Boat Race
First taking place in 1829, Oxford and Cambridge universities race each other on the River Thames every March or April.
Web: www.theboatrace.org
The Grand National
Taking place since 1839, the Grand National is a three-day horse jump-racing event in April and the most anticipated horse race of the year.
The Queen's Club Aegon Tennis Championship
The traditional men’s warm up tennis event for Wimbledon, taking place in June every year at the beautiful Queens Tennis Club
Wimbledon Tennis Championships
Strawberries and cream, Centre Court and the best tennis players in the world. Starts late June every year.
Web: www.wimbledon.com