What to do and where to go this season
Wondering where to see and be seen this social season? Check out our full guide to the British social calendar 2023.
Main image from Favourbrook, an Official Licensee of Royal Ascot.
The British Social Calendar 2023
Picnickers soak up the sun at Glyndebourne. © Glyndebourne Productions Ltd/ James Bellorini
Events in April 2023
Royal Berkshire Ladies Cup, 29 April
Whether you’re an experienced shot or completely new to the sport, join Purdey at the Royal Berkshire Shooting School for the annual Ladies Cup. There’s the chance to win fab prizes including an INEOS driving experience, Purdey technical tweed, Schoffel clothing, Le Chameau wellies, Gamebore cartridges and much more. purdey.com
Events in May 2023
Royal Windsor Horse Show, 11-14 May
From dressage to show jumping to the Pony Club mounted games, the Royal Windsor Horse Show is every hippophile’s dream long weekend. rwhs.co.uk
Glyndebourne Festival, 19 May to 27 August
An unmissable summer programme of opera, which takes place in the gardens of quintessential English country house Glyndebourne, in East Sussex. Don’t forget your picnic. glyndebourne.com
RHS Chelsea Flower Show, 23-27 May
The annual Chelsea Flower Show is simply a must-visit – whether you’re green-fingered or not. Cutting-edge garden design, fabulous floral displays and the latest horticultural research will all be on display. rhs.org.uk
Hay Festival, 25 May to 4 June
Every year, authors and readers descend on the tiny Welsh village of Hay-on-Wye for the annual literature festival. This year it’s digital, with a packed programme of talks, readings and workshops from the literary world’s biggest names. hayfestival.com
Photo courtesy of Jonathan Camp/Flickr
Isle of Man TT, 29 May to 10 June
Returning after two years’ hiatus due to the pandemic, the Isle of Man TT is an unmissable festival of speed. For over 100 years, it has attracted the world’s greatest – and most daring – road racers to test themselves against the island’s infamous ‘Mountain Course’ – a challenging 37.73 mile track carved out of the island’s public roads. iomtt.com
Events in June 2023
The Derby, 2-3 June
Known as ‘the greatest flat race in the world’, the Derby has been held in Epsom, Surrey since 4 May 1780. Dressing up is encouraged, with some enclosures requiring full morning dress. thejockeyclub.co.uk
Planted Country, 9-11 June
Panted installation during London Design Festival in Granary Square, King’s Cross
An unmissable programme of talks and workshops about the future of sustainability, all in the beautiful surroundings of Stourhead in Wiltshire. planted-community.co.uk
Chestertons Polo in the Park, 10-11 June
Head to Hurlingham Park in Fulham for three days of polo fun, with a faced-paced format that makes it exciting for fans old and new. And it’s not just sport to look forward to: there’s also fabulous shopping, delicious street food stands, and the buzzing Mahiki tent with live DJs. Not to be missed. polointheparklondon.com
Trooping the Colour, 17 June
The Trooping the Colour has marked the official birthday of the British sovereign for over 260 years. Over 1400 parading soldiers, 200 horses and 400 musicians come together for a display at Horse Guard’s Parade. royal.uk/trooping-colour
Cartier Queen’s Cup, 17 May to 12 June
Three weeks of prime polo action, all in the rarefied surrounds of Guards Polo Club in Windsor. The final day is open to non-members, with dress codes ranging from smart casual to formal, depending on the enclosure. guardspoloclub.com
Daylesford Summer Festival, 17-18 June
A two-day event packed with live music, delicious organic food and drink, cooking demos and creative workshops. All in honour of Daylesford’s 20th anniversary as an organic farm. daylesford.com
Royal Ascot, 20-24 June
The world’s premier flat racing meeting, when horses, trainers and jockeys from all over the world compete for more than £6m in prize money. A key date on the social calendar, it’s also a chance to dress up and show off your best hat. ascot.co.uk
The Boodles Tennis, 27 June to 1 July
An international five-day tennis exhibition held at Stoke Park in Buckinghamshire, featuring some of the sport’s biggest names, plus up and coming stars. theboodles.com
Crowds cheer on the rowers at Henley Royal Regatta
Henley Royal Regatta, 27 June to 2 July
Attracting thousands of spectators to one short stretch of idyllic Henley-on-Thames, Henley Regatta is five days of high-octane excitement on the social calendar, as rowers – from Olympic standard to school teams – compete in over 300 races. hrr.co.uk
The Cowdray Gold Cup, 27 June to 23 July
The Gold Cup is the culmination of the British Open Polo Championship, the tournament that’s held on Cowdray Park’s famous lawns every summer. cowdraypolo.co.uk
Events in July 2023
BBC Proms, 14 July to 9 September
The BBC’s eight-week musical extravaganza, held at the Royal Albert Hall, runs all summer long, and is always closed by the Last Night at the Proms, marked by rousing renditions of Land Of Hope And Glory and Rule Britannia! There’s nothing like being there in person. bbc.co.uk
Goodwood Festival of Speed, 13-16 July
A summer garden party – with added cars. Held in the beautiful parkland surrounding Goodwood House, the festival features F1 superstars, classic cars and motorsport legends, all in one place. goodwood.com
Roger Federer with the Wimbledon Cup
Wimbledon, 3-16 July
Tennis whites, ball boys, strawberries and cream… You know the drill. Wimbledon is as quintessentially British as it gets, and is a real highlight of the social calendar. wimbledon.com
British Grand Prix, 7-9 July
Silverstone is Britain’s only Grand Prix date; watch the fastest cars in the world take on its 52 laps. silverstone.co.uk
The Game Fair, 28-30 July
The annual celebration of country pursuits comes to Ragley Hall in Warwickshire in July. Yes, there’s hunting, fishing and shooting aplenty, but also live cookery demonstrations, an open air cinema and the LAPADA Pavilion of arts and antiques. thegamefair.org
Cowes Week, 29 July to 4 August
Head to the Isle of Wight for a week-long celebration of sailing, at one of the oldest regattas in the world. cowesweek.co.uk
Plays and Musicals to Book Now
Events in August 2023
Qatar Goodwood Festival, 1-5 August
Otherwise known as Glorious Goodwood, there are 14 races to enjoy across five days, plus prime eating and drinking opportunities. Summer dresses for women, and linen suits and panama hats for men are the order of the day. goodwood.com
Salon Privé Concours d’Elégance, 30 August to 2 September
This September, Blenheim Palace will welcome more than 100 of the rarest and most desirable cars and motorcycles to its lawns, as well as debuts from the world’s most luxurious marques. Champagne and shopping will also be on the cards, with brands like Boodles, Roche Bobois and Piston Gin in attendance. salonpriveconcours.com
Events in September 2023
Goodwood Revival, 8-10 September
Step back in time at Goodwood Revival, the world’s only sporting event that celebrates historical cars. It brings to life the years from 1948-66 when the Goodwood Motor Circuit was first in use, so expect an unbeatable variety of classic cars, plus glamorous outfits galore. goodwood.com
Events in October 2023
Frieze London, 11-15 October
The annual art fair presents the best of international contemporary art by emerging and established artists, alongside a programme of newly commissioned artworks, films and talks. frieze.com
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