Henley Royal Regatta has always been raced over a distance of ‘about one mile and 550 yards’ from Temple Island upstream towards Henley Bridge. However, four distinct courses have been used over the regatta’s history, with smaller changes also being made incrementally.
The traditional length of the Course is 1 mile 550 yards which was the longest distance of open water that could be obtained in 1839 on the Henley Reach. The distance from the start-line to Remenham Barrier is 2,089 feet, to Fawley 3,435 feet and to the winning post 6,930 feet, which is 1 mile 550 yards.
One popular activity during the Regatta (and also throughout the summer in Henley) is hiring a boat to enjoy the views and to relax on the water with some food or drink. If you don’t have lunch plans arranged, this could be the perfect alternative during the festivities of the week.
To complete the programme by a reasonable hour, races are started at five-minute intervals. All races are held over the full Henley Course on the River Thames. The length of the Course is one mile 550 yards (2,112 metres) – upstream. All races are rowed two abreast and the winner proceeds to the next round.
five daysThe regatta lasts for five days (Wednesday to Sunday) ending on the first weekend in July. Races are head-to-head knock out competitions, raced over a course of 1 mile 550 yards (2,112 m). The regatta regularly attracts international crews to race.
1 mile 550 yardsThe traditional length of the Course is 1 mile 550 yards which was the longest distance of open water that could be obtained in 1839 on the Henley Reach. The distance from the start-line to Remenham Barrier is 2,089 feet, to Fawley 3,435 feet and to the winning post 6,930 feet, which is 1 mile 550 yards.
Attendees are only required to 'dress to suit the occasion' but denim, shorts, sports attire or trainers will not be allowed.
Yes you can see the regatta for free. Most of the riverbank is open to public access, the regatta enclosure (which is ticketed) is a small section of the actual course (which is a mile and 550 yards long) at the finish.
Tickets are available to buy on the official Royal Regatta site . Prices start from £27 for tickets to the Royal Regatta Enclosure (on Wednesday or Thursday only). Tickets for the Royal Regatta Enclosure will set you back £38 on Friday or Sunday. And, for entry on Sunday it'll cost £34.
Qualifying Races We are expecting an excellent Entry for the 2022 Henley Royal Regatta, with a good international entry. If more entries are received for any event than the number permitted, the Committee shall arrange Qualifying Races to be held in Henley-on-Thames during the afternoon and evening of Friday, 24 June.
Spectators in the Steward's Enclosure are the only visitors who have to adhere to a dress code, but you will notice that most other men will be sporting boat shoes or smart loafers without socks, while the women wear high heels or platforms.
It is free to enter and has an array of facilities including public toilets. Spectators can also access the footpath along the river so they can watch from any point along the course. Relax with a drink and some food, watch the crews compete, listen to the race commentary and take home a memento of your day out.
Stewards' Enclosure This Enclosure is open to Members and their Guests, including children from the age of ten. A Stewards' Enclosure Badge also allows access to the Regatta Enclosure.
One such place is Henley-on-Thames, an extremely desirable town in Oxfordshire that's one of the most beautiful places you can settle down in.
“As a result of the ongoing impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Committee of Management of Henley Royal Regatta has reluctantly concluded that the 2021 Regatta cannot now be held from 29 June to 4 July at Henley-on-Thames as originally planned.
This patronage means the Regatta can be called Henley Royal Regatta. During the course of its history, the Regatta has often been honoured by visits of members of the Royal Family, of which the most recent was that of H.R.H. The Princess Royal in 2010. Queen Elizabeth II attended for the first time in 1946.
Racing will commence at 9:00 on Friday and 8:00 on Saturday, with racing required to be finished by 18:00 on both days. The races are scheduled to run 4 minutes apart. ALL Heats and Quarter Finals will take place on Friday.
The provisional 2022 timings for racing are: Tuesday | 28 June - 10:00 am - 7:30 pm. Wednesday | 29 June - 9:30 am - 7:30 pm. Thursday | 30 June - 9:30 am - 7:30 pm.
Putney BridgeUniversity Boat Race Stone The University Stone is set into the towpath on Putney Embankment a few metres below Putney Bridge. The Boat Race will start from two stake boats moored so that the competitors' bows are in line with the University Stone.
Henley-on-ThamesHenley Royal Regatta, annual four-day series of rowing races held the first week in July on the River Thames, at Henley-on-Thames, Oxfordshire, England.
The regatta lasts for five days (Wednesday to Sunday) ending on the first weekend in July.
Henley Royal Regatta Headquarters by Henley Bridge. Entries for the regatta close at 6:00 pm sixteen days before the Regatta. In order to encourage a high quality of racing, create a manageable race timetable and to ensure that most crews race only once a day, each event has a limited number of places.
The change of the international distance to 2000 m and the addition of a fifth day to the regatta in 1986 allowed the Committee of Management to revisit the decision. In 1993 the regatta introduced an open Women's Single Sculls event and from 1993–6 this counted as a round of the FISA World Cup. The first winner was Maria Brandin of Sweden and she subsequently won a further four times. Fittingly, the prizegiver in 1993 was Peter Coni. In 1996, the Stewards purchased a silver cup as a challenge trophy and named it the Princess Royal Challenge Cup; it was presented for the first time in 1997.
Races are head-to-head knock out competitions, raced over a course of 1 mile 550 yards (2,112 m). The regatta regularly attracts international crews to race. The most prestigious event at the regatta is the Grand Challenge Cup for Men's Eights, which has been awarded since the regatta was first staged.
1908 Olympic Regatta. Main article: Rowing at the 1908 Summer Olympics. Henley hosted the rowing events of the London Olympic Games in mid-July 1908, two weeks after the Royal Regatta. The course was extended 270 yards (250 m) downstream and 60 yards (55 m) upstream, making it 1-mile (1.6 km) and 880 yards (800 m).
At the first regatta in 1839, the finish line was Henley Bridge itself, but it was presumably quickly realised that this had inherent problems. From 1840 onward the finish was moved downstream slightly; eventually a point opposite the lawn of the Red Lion Hotel became the standard finish line.
The Regatta Enclosure is situated immediately downstream of the Stewards Enclosure and further away from the finish. This enclosure is open to all on payment of the admission fee. Competitors gain free access to this area. There is no dresscode.
As the Regatta was instituted long before national or international rowing federations were established, it occupies a unique position in the world of rowing. It has its own rules and is not subject to the jurisdiction either of the governing body of rowing in the UK (British Rowing) or of the International Rowing Federation (FISA).
We have prepared a list of useful rowing words and phrases to help you get the most from your visit.
With the exception of the years of the two World Wars, the Henley Regatta has taken place ever since, growing from a one day, local event to a five-day rowing meet attracting top international crews and champion athletes as well as thousands of spectators.
In 1839, the mayor and people of Henley-on-Thames introduced a July rowing race as part of a fair to attract fun seekers to the town. You've got to hand it to those local boosters. They started one of the world's great rowing events for rowing crews and individual, club, school, and university rowers. With the exception of the years of the two ...
The journey takes a little over an hour and the train station is about five minutes south of the center of town. Once you arrive, just follow the crowds and the signs to the river. Trains to Henley-on-Thames leave regularly from Paddington Station in London, with connecting service through Twyford or Reading.
There are a variety of classes and combinations for men and women - eight and four-man, coxed and coxless, coxless pairs, doubles and quadruple sculls, and single sculls for men and women. Athletes include Olympic hopefuls, club rowing crews, school rowing crews, and university rowing teams. They come from everywhere.
And, although it isn't subject to the jurisdiction of the Amateur Rowing Association in England or the International Rowing Federation (FISA), it is officially recognized by them both.
If you arrive early, you can usually get a ticket for the Regatta enclosure - though you may not be able to get in for some of the major challenge races on the Saturday of the Regatta. There is no dress code for the Regatta Enclosure but people usually dress up here as well.
The Regatta Enclosure is open to non-members. Athletes taking part, along with their supporters, often watch from here. Anyone can buy a ticket to the Regatta Enclosure. Tickets are sold in advance technically up to the last week in June - but in practice, they usually sell out by late winter.
The town of Henley-on-Thames is located near the tripoint of Oxfordshire, Buckinghamshire and Berkshire. It’s considered to be one of the most beautiful market towns in England, with a quaint riverbank lined with boats, rows of boutiques and independent shops, cute cafes and traditional pubs, interesting historical buildings, and a well-maintained high street. Although it attracts tourists throughout the year, it certainly comes to life in the summer, and is brimming with festival atmosphere during the days of the Regatta. Surrounded by the stunning landscape and wooded hills, this is a great destination for hikers and fans of the outdoors.
People attend the Regatta to socialize with friends, drink and be merry, and to indulge in the very British act of eating strawberries and creams outdoors. Many also come to showcase their best summer ensembles and to admire other peoples’ outfits too. It doesn’t matter which day you decide to come.
The first event took place in July 1839, and has been running every year since (apart from during WW1 and WW2). It began as a day out staged by the Mayor of Henley, and featured a funfair and amusements for the local townsfolk. Amateur rowing races were later introduced and the competitive sport was soon the main attraction.
Although not under their jurisdiction, the races are still recognized by these federations.
At a public meeting in Henley town hall on 26 March 1839, Captain Edmund Gardiner proposed "that from the lively interest which had been manifested at the various boat races which have taken place on the Henley reach during the last few years, and the great influx of visitors on such occasions, this meeting is of the opinion that the establishing of an annual regatta, under judicious and r…
Entries for the regatta close at 6:00 pm sixteen days before the Regatta. In order to encourage a high quality of racing, create a manageable race timetable and to ensure that most crews race only once a day, each event has a limited number of places. Qualifying races are held on the Friday before the regatta. The regatta's Committee of Management decides at its absolute discretion which …
The racing can be viewed from a number of locations along both banks of the Thames. Areas open to the general public are generally on the Berkshire (towpath) side of the river. Viewing opportunities on the other side of the river (Buckinghamshire) side are limited to the Phyllis Court club, private residences and areas for corporate entertainment. A channel of the river remains open thro…
The following events took place at the 2021 regatta:
• Open Men
• Intermediate Men
• Club Men
• Student Men
• Disher Challenge Cup
• Henley Boat Races
• Henley-on-Todd Regatta
• Leander Club
• Remenham Club
• Henley Royal Regatta
• Henley Royal Regatta official YouTube channel
• Video clips of most finals & semi-finals, 1999 to 2009
• Video clips of most Henley races in 2006