W

hen it comes to quintessentially English sporting events, they don’t come much more spiffing than this.

Every first weekend of July, a mixture of serious rowers, socialites and sun worshippers gather on the banks of the River Thames in Berkshire for five days of racing. In all there are 19 Cups to be won, with teams travelling from across the world to compete for the prestige of winning here.

Like those other English sporting must-sees – Wimbledon, Ascot and the cricket at Lord´s - Henley is steeped in tradition, having been an established part of the social calendar since 1839.

So if you know someone who has a friend-of-a-friend-of-an-uncle (who once rowed with a Henley boy at university), you might have a chance of a ticket for the fabled Stewards’ Enclosure, located near the finish line.

Failing that, you could always bring your picnic blanket and join the rest of us on the riverbank lining the course. It’s all terribly friendly, dear.