10 great British events you must be seen at this summer
Sophie Campbell is your guide to the most glamorous places to see and be seen among England’s sparkling social set this summer.
The Grand National
The sweepstakes are closed, the runners and riders are in and racegoers are descending on Aintree today for the endurance test of the year – an entire day of eating, drinking and trying not to fall over before the 5.15pm Grand National. Forty runners, 30 fences (the tallest is 5ft 3in, the same height as Frankie Dettori) and ￡1 million prize money. Got a ticket? Dash to the Red Rum Garden for a selfie with Mr Big himself, or at least with the bronze sculpture of the triple winner and legend, who is buried at the finish line. Once the National is over it’s tape-up on the social season, a tight field of sporting and cultural events cantering through summer. Hats away! (randoxhealthgrandnational.co.uk).
Chelsea Flower Show
Quick, get a ￡45 late ticket for Friday May 25 at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show. Go for 5.30pm, when you can actually see the flowers. Better still, upgrade to a Chelsea Late, with show entry, evening entertainment and jazz from Ronnie Scott’s (￡95, rhschelsea.seetickets.com).
The Derby
Will the name of the Derby winner (usually wrong) still appear on the wishing well of the Amato pub, now that it’s been reborn as The Grumpy Mole at the Amato (thegrumpymole.co.uk/epsom)? Investec Derby Festival (June 1 and 2, epsomderby.co.uk).
Goodwood
You won’t find French racegoers watching the Prix de L’Arc de Triomphe free from a hill fort – but that is what English spectators do at the Qatar Goodwood Festival. The Trundle fort is off the A286; take a picnic and study the form: the bookies are there, too. Qatar Goodwood Festival (July 31 to August 4, goodwood.com). Search “Trundle” on southdowns.gov.uk.
Royal Ascot
How much do you bet that the Harrys will be in the royal procession at this year’s Royal Ascot in Berkshire? Scrub up (beware dress codes), book into an enclosure for the finest royal landau views, and make sure you are prepared to doff your hat as HMQ rolls by. Racing Breaks (racingbreaks.com) offers Ladies’ Day packages staying at the Sir Christopher Wren Hotel in Windsor, with Windsor Enclosure tickets included, for ￡378 for two people. Royal Ascot (June 19 to 23, ascot.co.uk).
Royal Academy Summer Exhibition
A cool ￡395 gets you into the glam June 6 Preview Party for the Royal Academy Summer Exhibition. Or pay a modest fee for one of the art world’s jolliest shows, curated by Grayson Perry. June 12 to Aug 19, adults ￡18, 16 to 18-year-olds ￡11, under-16s free (royalacademy.org.uk/exhibition/summer-exhibition-2018).
19 beautiful places you won't believe are in Britain
Wimbledon
Makes you proud to be British, the daily distribution of world-class tennis tickets to those braving The Queue at Wimbledon (Centre Court tickets from ￡60). Do try Black’s Wimbledon-green tents and the Berghaus Transition 300 sleeping bag that weirdly resembles a tennis ball. Wimbledon Championships (July 2 to 15, wimbledon.com/championships).
Cowes Week
So civilised, a day trip to the Isle of Wight during Cowes Week. Stay at the Pig in the Wall (doubles from ￡135, thepighotel.com/in-the-wall) in Southampton, minutes from the Red Jet high-speed ferry to West Cowes (return fare ￡25.60, redfunnel.co.uk). Watch races all day, then zoom back at sunset. Lendy Cowes Week (Aug 4 to 11, lendycowesweek.co.uk).
Henley Regatta
There are two ends to the Henley Royal Regatta, which is still the most Edwardian of English summer season events. Dress up for the enclosures near the bridge or book a Hobbs river taxi (from ￡10 adults, ￡5 children, hobbsofhenley.com) to chunter 45 minutes to the start beside Temple Island. Oh, and beside the Barn Bar, an institution in its own right, free except on Saturday (pre-book, ￡10). Henley Royal Regatta (July 4 to 8, hrr.co.uk).
Glyndebourne
Glyndebourne? As English as it gets, but beware picnic-position blood feuds. Quote “Telegraph” for a bottle of Sussex bubbly with your deluxe double at the Ashdown Park Hotel and Country Club (￡300, ashdownpark.com). Glyndebourne Opera Festival (May 19 to Aug 26, glyndebourne.com).