Wondering what to do in the season of fabulous fixtures? Here are the key dates for Britain's most iconic events, plus the best places to stay
Wherever you venture across the British Isles, you are never far from a PoB Hotel. This thoughtfully curated collection of the nation’s most elegant addresses spans historic estates, riverfront lodges and boutique countryside retreats, each rooted firmly in its surroundings.
In 2026, PoB Hotels is taking a delightful detour into history, where the past isn’t just a memory – it’s a feeling. Across the PoB Hotels collection, guests can sleep where kings once rested, admire architectural flourishes that have endured for centuries and wander through kitchen gardens where heritage fruits and vegetables are being carefully revived.
That’s why their theme of the 2026 edition The Handle – a complimentary coffee table book produced by PoB – ‘Now & Then’, is so fitting. It celebrates the dialogue between past and present that runs through Britain’s landscapes, traditions and hospitality. From historic manor houses to rewilded estates and restored townhouses, PoB Hotels offer a chance to experience both strands at once.
From the floral spectacle of the RHS Chelsea Flower Show to one of the longest-running sporting events in the world, here is your social season calendar for the year ahead – along with the finest PoB Hotels to rest, recharge and reflect after the excitement.
Green-thumbed or not, when the Royals attend a garden show, you know it’s a goodie. The annual Chelsea Flower Show takes over not just Chelsea but the whole of London every spring – and if you have a wardrobe of florals ready to go, it’s the place to be seen. Think cutting-edge garden designs, fabulous flower displays and the latest in horticultural research, all brought to life with tasty treats and plenty of fizz.
When you’re in town to celebrate all things horticulture, where better to stay than just a short stroll from the show itself? The Hari offers a stylish, contemporary retreat in the heart of Belgravia, just moments from the Royal Hospital Chelsea. Combining sleek modern design with boutique warmth, this chic hotel provides the perfect base for Flower Show festivities; best enjoyed with a floral-inspired cocktail on the terrace
The summer social season kicks off in opulent style at Glyndebourne, which brings the East Sussex countryside alive with the sound of opera. Dating back to 1934 and boasting a black tie dress code, each year a programme of five or six productions showcasing the finest singers, conductors and directors, spanning both beloved repertoire and occasionally adventurous rarities.
Set amid nine acres of beautiful grounds, Ockenden Manor is the perfect amuse bouche for your trip to picture-perfect Glyndebourne, just over a 30-minute drive away. The Elizabethan country house is home to an outstanding spa, historically appointed bedrooms and an award winning restaurant, all wrapped in glorious South Downs views.
There are plenty of dates in the horseracing calendar, but when it comes to the social calendar, Royal Ascot is a must. The world’s premier flat racing meeting, horses, jockeys and trainers are all vying for a £6m prize. But in the enclosures it’s all champagne, fascinettes and celeb spotting. That’s why Royal Ascot is the very best of all: there’s a royal procession to enjoy, too.
Ascot Racecourse is easily accessible from London; in fact, you’ll spot a throng of racegoers donning their gladrags on the tube throughout the races. The Athenaeum Hotel & Residences is close to both Paddington and Waterloo stations, where services can whisk you to Ascot, or it’s just an hour by car. Then back home to Mayfair, where the 162 rooms, suites and residences boast contemporary-glam interiors.
Tennis whites, ball boys, strawberries and cream… The Wimbledon Tennis Championships need no introduction. As quintessentially British as it gets and taking place over the course of a fortnight, the hard-fought, hard-won matches are the main draw, but Wimbledon dressing (and eating, and drinking) is a sport in itself. You’ll see whites galore plus flamboyant accessorising – when your eyes aren’t glued to the court, that is.
Finding a luxurious London hotel during Wimbledon is no easy feat as the rich and famous flock to the capital from all four corners of the globe for the two-week Championship. Our top pick is The Athenaeum Hotel & Residences, which hides from the SW19 hubbub. The reservations team is ready to book you a car (45 mins) or hop on the tube (54 mins), while the hotel itself offers a Wimbledon-affiliated afternoon tea, complete with scrumptious scones and plenty of cream.
This could be the chicest event in the summer sporting calendar. Well, it’s certainly the splashiest. Attracting thousands of spectators to one short stretch of idyllic Henley-on-Thames, Henley Royal Regatta boasts six days of high-octane excitement as rowers – from Olympic-level to school teams – take to the water across more than 300 races. It’s as much a social affair as it is a sporting one: ex-rowers, life-long enthusiasts and newbies alike can dress up, grab a picnic, sip a cocktail and shout ‘well rowed!’ at the passing boats, all without knowing a single rule of the river.
Combine your Henley adventure with a trip to the capital, which is just less than an hour away on the train. There’s no better place to stay than Knightsbridge’s The Capital Hotel, which epitomises English elegance on your very English trip. Its 73 rooms, suites and apartments balance the tranquility of a residential street with the bustling city location right beside Harrods and Harvey Nichols
Boasting seven decades of motorsport history, if you’ve always enjoyed Formula 1 racing from afar, the British Grand Prix at Silverstone is the place to tap into the fastest sport on the planet. And from Lewis Hamilton to Lando Norris, George Russell to Ollie Bearman, there are plenty of Brits to cheer on from the sidelines. Off the track, enjoy concerts, racing simulators and plenty of tasty dining from street food to fine dining.
Set within 10 acres of lush grounds and surrounded by stunning Warwickshire countryside, Mallory Court feels a world away from the Silverstone hubbub, despite being just a 45 minute drive from the tracks. With fine dining, a mindful spa and recently refreshed country-cosy bedrooms, it’s a real countryside escape.
Taking to the Isle of Wight’s waters every August, Cowes Week is one of the oldest regattas in the world – and in its 200th year, 2026 is the perfect time to visit this seaside extravaganza. Sun- and sea-soaked and centring on the thrilling world of competitive sailing, more than 1,000 boats typically make their way to Cowes for the extravaganza, which commences every morning at 10am with the bang of an old school cannon.
Just across the bay, pretty Hampshire awaits, with the idyllic The Montagu Arms hidden in the village of Beaulieu. Expect lush gardens and delicious dining, all set within the New Forest. Just 33 country-charming bedrooms create a village-within-a-village feel, dotted as they are through the house and gardens.
Stars are born at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, from The Mighty Boosh and Phoebe Waller-Bridge to Richard Gadd’s Baby Reindeer and an early version of the global hit musical SIX. From budding comedians and street performers to show-stopping theatrical productions, you never know what you’re going to see in Edinburgh in August; it’s one of our favourite times to explore the gothic city.
For a unique experience, board Fingal, a floating hotel with beautifully styled cabins and decks, moored in Edinburgh’s historic Port of Leith. Alternatively, the sumptuous 17th-century mansion Prestonfield House boasts cocooning, characterful interiors, nestled in the shadow of Arthur’s Seat, just minutes from the city’s historic Old Town.
Fife’s Braemar Gathering has been a highlight in the sporting calendar for almost 200 years – and it can trace its roots back 700 years further. Held at The Princess Royal and Duke of Fife Memorial Park each September, expect to see everything from bagpipe playing to hammer throwing and sword dancing, with members of the Royal Family often spotted among the crowds.
When in Fife, The Fife Arms is a must-visit – and coincidentally this historic Cairngorms coaching inn is just a five-minute walk from the Games. Opened in 2019 by the now-King, this hotel, which holds 2 Michelin Keys, has redefined Scottish hospitality in recent years with its world-class art collection and maximalist interiors by Russell Sage.
We like to think of Goodwood’s annual vintage motorsport celebration as a summer garden party with added petrol. Held in the beautiful parkland surrounding Goodwood House, at Goodwood Revival, spectacular fashion and classic cars combine in an exhilarating three-day affair. But it’s not all cars and fumes: visitors can enjoy a campervan parade, decadent dining, historic aircraft displays, retro fairground rides, live music, talks with big-name drivers and more.
Hidden in rural Midhurst, West Sussex, tranquil Park House Hotel & Spa is located just 15 minutes from action-packed Goodwood. Wind down in homely countryside bedrooms and an oasis of an award-winning spa with its menu of soothing treatments – and fuel up in the bright and airy conservatory, the historic dining room or, since it’s July, out on the sun terrace.
DISCOVER MORE
Whatever the occasion, you’re always set with a PoB Hotel.
Explore the full collection at pobhotels.com
Order your complimentary copy of The Handle direct to your door here.
DISCOVER MORE
Whatever the occasion, you’re always set with a PoB Hotel.
Explore the full collection at pobhotels.com
Order your complimentary copy of The Handle direct to your door here.
