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The Season

by Anita Hunter

The Season? Not summer, pheasant shooting or part of something by Vivaldi. I'm talking about 'The Season'. That calendar of social events chosen by the English upper classes to while away the months when the Caribbean is not a fashionable destination. Fame, Fortune and Family are all important if you want to get the right invitations to the right hospitality tents. But for the financially and genealogically challenged fear not! Most events are open to the general public. You may have to buy your own champagne and your ticket won't get you into the V.I.P. lounges but that won't stop you having a great time (weather permitting).

Some events have traditional dress codes. Sartorial conventions that hark back to the time when fashion was a domain reserved for the rich. Etiquette dictated exactly what was to be worn for a particular occasion. Today, there is rarely any necessity to dress in a particular way (unless you have an invitation to the Royal Enclosure at Ascot or the Leander Club tent at Henley). However, these events can be a great excuse to dress up. Blazers and Boaters at Henley, chic hats for Royal Ascot.

• Consider taking time out for the following:
  • The Royal Academy Summer exhibition. 1 June - 10 Aug. You probably won't see too many masterpieces but the sheer number of picture and sculptures on show make entertaining viewing. At the Royal Academy, Burlington House, Piccadilly, London.
  • The Derby. 7 June at Epsom Racecourse, Epsom , Surrey.
  • Trooping the Colour. 14 June In celebration of the Queens official birthday, the Horse Guards (the cavalry brigade of the household troops) raise the regiments' colours. The procession starts from Buckingham Palace at 10.40 a.m. and proceeds down the Mall to Horse Guards Parade, Whitehall. Tickets for the actual parade will have been allocated in advance but you can watch the procession from the Green Park side of the Mall.
  • Royal Ascot. 17 June - 20 June Ascot, Berkshire. Hats are de rigueur for Ladies Day on 19 June. Call +44 (0)1344 22211 for details of tickets and times.
  • Wimbledon Lawn Tennis Championships. 23 June - 6 July Advance tickets were allocated by ballot last year but some tickets are available each day for those who queue early. The Ladies final is scheduled for 5 July with the Men's on 6 July.
  • 2 July - 6 July Henley Royal Regatta. Take a picnic, find a riverside picnic site and enjoy the rowing. Call Regatta Headquarters +44 (0)1491 572153
  • The British Grand Prix 13 July, Silverstone. Noisy and quite expensive but a must for Formula 1 fans.
  • Hampton Court Flower Show 10 -13 July. Much larger than Chelsea, this is a definite must for gardeners. Superb location in the grounds of Hampton Court Palace. Reduced price tickets available in the afternoon. Call +44 (0)171 344 9966 for details. Tickets for the Gala Evening on 8 July cost £45 and include half a bottle of champagne, live music, Beating Retreat by the Coldstream Guards and Fireworks. Highly recommended. Call +44 (0)171 630 5999 for tickets.
  • Cowes Week 2 -9 July. Head out to Cowes on the Isle of Wight for nautical (but nice) antics.
  • Glorious Goodwood 29 July - 29 Aug. Superb location on the South Downs near Chichester, this is a great racecourse. Call +44 (0)1243 774107 for details of races and times.
  • Music on a Summer Evening. English Heritage organizes open air concerts and opera throughout the Summer. Venues include Osborne House on the Isle of Wight and Kenwood Lakeside in Hampstead. Take a rug and picnic and enjoy music (and often fireworks) under the stars. Call English Heritage for a free leaflet giving more details on +44 (0)171 973 3427.

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