The ‘London Season’ dates back to the days when gentry from ‘the Shires’ would bring their daughters up ‘to town’ to present them to the Royal Family and hope to find them a suitable husband at a variety of ‘Debutante Balls’. Known as ‘coming out’ (with a rather different meaning than what it is today) the tradition ended in 1958 when Queen Elizabeth II decided it was too old fashioned for a modern monarchy. Given that at the final presentation in March of that year 1,400 girls curtseyed at Buckingham Palace it was all a lot of faff, albeit it caused London couturiers quite a loss of trade..
Today ‘the season’ traditionally starts at the recently finished Chelsea Flower Show – which is always a sell out and a bit of a bun fight even if you can get a ticket. It’s much better watched on the telly with Monty Don and his coterie of acolytes. Mostly now the nexus of the season for polite independently schooled society revolves around four major (for major read ‘grandiose’) sporting events where it’s more important to ‘see and be seen’ than actually enjoy the competition.
To access VIP/hard to get tickets click on the link HERE
Tennis at Queens Club June 6th thru’ 21st
Tennis at Queens Club is important because it is the first major event of the grass court season, acting as a precursor to Wimbledon, allowing top players to adapt their styles from the hard court game. It also allows young wannabees and hopefuls to stake their claim for a wildcard invitation to the main event. Technically the venue is now named The Andy Murray Arena, and the competition is now officially titled the HSBC Championships.
Tickets (hopefully) available at https://www.lta.org.uk/ or you may just pick one up on the day at the gate.
Royal Ascot – June 16th thru’ June 20th
Racing has long been the sport of Kings and Queens and nowhere does the epitome of style and bloodstock come together more conspicuously than at Royal Ascot. To be fair the standard of racing over the five days is spectacular. You won’t get into the Royal Enclosure unless you’ve been sponsored by two members – and it’s too late for that now anyway. But there are three other public areas of the course where the vibe is just as good. Dress to kill, especially on Ladies Day which takes place on Thursday (well, if you’re a lady that is!).
For tickets try https://ascot.com/royal-ascot
Wimbledon June 29th thru’ 12 July
It’s rather gobsmacking to think that the very first Wimbledon Tennis Championship took place on July 9th 1877, hosted by the All England Croquet and Lawn Tennis Club. It only featured Gentlemen’s Singles and was contested by 22 amateur players. A rather nice chap called Spencer Gore defeated William Marshall in a final watched by about 200 spectators. Fast forward 149 years (hmmm thinks, next year will be 150th – apply for tickets now!) and over half-a-million spectators watch the action across 18 championship courts (superstitiously there is no Court 13 – they are number 1 through 19!) Once again, even if you have a ticket, it’s a huge bun fight. And unless you’re on a feature court, it can be extremely hot in the sun.
This late in the day the ballots are closed and only way to get in is via a hospitality package (think ££££squillions) or by joining the legendary queue in Wimbledon Park.
Henley 30th June thru’ July 5th
Henley Regatta pre-dates Wimbledon by 38 years. It’s a completely ‘pukka’ event that attracts crews from all over the world. In the Stewards Enclosure (strictly members only) the dress code still harks back to Jerome K Jerome’s comic tale of a trip on the Thames ‘Three Men in a Boat’ – all boaters and stripey blazers. Except the one thing you’ll never see is three men in a boat as it’s all about eights, and fours and twins and single skulkers (whoopsie, scullers). It’s actually enormous fun and a mix of the hugely social and the hugely muscled. You can apply for tickets for the Regatta Enclosure or simply stroll down the towpath with an Esky of cold ones and watch from the bank.
Tickets from https://www.hrr.co.uk/book-tickets/
I CAN’T BELIEVE IT’S NOT CRICKET!
Not exactly part of ‘the season’, but the first game of cricket played at Thomas Lord’s cricket ground was played on June 22nd 1814 – so it’s the most ancient of all London’s great venues and the sport has been a great part of London summers for over 2 centuries. London’s other famous ground, The Oval followed 41 years later. Of course cricket has changed since Lord’s day (the great William Gilbert Grace would be turning in his grave) and apart from test matches we now have T20, ODI and the rather bizarre 100. The women’s game has also gained serious traction and this summer England’s Women will play the Indian women’s team in a full test match at Lord’s for the first time. Here are some notable dates.
Tickets from https://www.ecb.co.uk/tickets/england for the notable dates below.
2026 England International Fixtures
England Men v New Zealand
Wednesday 17 June: 2nd Rothesay Test – The Kia Oval, London, 11am
England Women v India
Friday 10 July: 1st Rothesay Test – Lord’s, London, 11am
England Men v India
Sunday 19 July: 3rd Metro Bank ODI – Lord’s, London, 11am England Men v Pakistan
Thursday 27 August: 2nd Rothesay Test – Lord’s, London, 11am
England Men v Sri Lanka
Sunday 27 September: 3rd Metro Bank ODI – The Kia Oval, London, 10:30am