The Henley Regatta –
An Amazing Event
Off the water and after the
races, there is also plenty of
entertainment for families and
groups, including parties, DJ
extravaganzas, family day events
(Sunday 3rd July), as well as a
complete shopping village with
pop up shops and refreshments.
One of the UK’s most historical and memorable sporting events.
T
he Summer of 2016 is
bringing with it another
chance to be part of one of
the UK’s most historical and
memorable sporting events –
the Henley Regatta. This
amazing event began almost
200 years ago in 1839 and
has been held every year
since – with the only
exceptions being during the
two World Wars.
During its early Victorian years,
the regatta itself was a single
afternoon of racing hosted by
the Mayor and people of Henley.
However, its instant popularity,
both as a sporting event and as
riverside leisure entertainment,
meant that it quickly grew
beyond the single afternoon. By
1840, racing had already been
extended to two days, with
another increase to three days
in 1886 and then to four by
1906.
Even so, by 1928, these four
days were not sufficient to
accommodate the number of
entries or the number of races
needed to allow the event to be
completed in the time allowed,
so qualifying races in the week
prior to the regatta itself were
introduced. Yet this was still not
sufficient so, by 1986 and with
rowing still growing in popularity,
Henley Regatta was extended to
run across the five days that we
are now so familiar with, in order
that the maximum entry for
some of the most popular
events could be increased.
The rich history of the event has
seen other milestones too.
1993 saw women competing
over the full regatta course for
Traditional, interesting and exciting hospitality.
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the first time and by 2000 an
open event for women’s eights
was introduced. More new
events for both women and
men’s quadruple skulls were
then introduced the following
year, establishing women firmly
in the 21st Century tradition of
this prestigious event.
Henley Regatta 2016
The chance to see this all in
action arrives with Henley
Regatta 2016, from 29th June
to 3rd July, with the opportunity
to enjoy one of the UK’s most
traditional, interesting and
exciting hospitality venues as
well as witness an amazing
sporting event, across five days
of live sports on the water.
Visitors to 2016’s Henley
Regatta can also get involved in
the live jazz and music events,
as well as try some extremely
fine dining and drinking
opportunities. Weather
permitting, picnicking is highly
encouraged and places to picnic
include reserved spots which
offer great positions to enjoy the
races as well as al-fresco and
marquee dining. Prime areas
include the famous Temple
Islands Meadows. The meadows
lie on the banks of the River
Thames in Berkshire and take in
around half of the regatta
course, including the race
starting point.
With the regatta fast
approaching, waiting lists for
membership, which allows
admission to the high-spot
Steward’s Enclosure, are already
starting to build up and as some
Henley areas are accessible as
ticketed areas only, it’s the time
to take action if you want to
head to Henley. However,
organisational headaches can
be swapped for an easy day out
as Team Tactics can deliver the
full gambit of group or corporate
hospitality that everyone can
enjoy at the historic Henley
Regatta 2016.
Henley Regatta www.hrr.co.uk
Team Tactics http://www.teamtactics.co.uk
Five days of live sports on the water.
THE LONDON & UK DATEBOOK
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