Party isle booze crackdown
honeypot event for the international rowing community.
It is a place where gentlemen put on ludicrously colourful blazers and ladies wear billowing summer dresses, and only the rowers pay any attention to the racing.
Pimm’s is the drink of choice, there is a posh members-only enclosure, plus a general enclosure, but you can also take your picnic to the riverbank for free. See hrr.co.uk.
The regatta is swiftly followed by the Henley Festival, which uses the exact same setup for five days of music, comedy and fireworks. Admission from £50. See henley-festival.co.uk.
Lord’s Test Match St John’s Wood, London, July 30-August 3
This year it is the turn of the Pakistanis to take on Joe Root’s team at the home of cricket.
But to be honest, the crowd is mostly here for the sunshine, conviviality and alcohol – this is a
THE Spanish clampdown on boozy behaviour will see strict new laws in Ibiza and Majorca this year. As well as banning happy hours, balcony jumping and organised pub crawls in Magaluf, Arenal and the West End of San Antonio, stadium where you can bring in your own refreshments after all.
True aficionados find it easier to stay at home and follow the game on telly.
Entry tickets are allocated by ballot and you can expect to pay upwards of £150. See lords.org.
Cowes Week Isle of Wight, August 8-15
The highlight of the yachting calendar transforms the attractively bijou town of Cowes into party central. But if you are not part of the yottie scene, and not on a boat, you could well be struggling to understand what it is all about.
More than a thousand boats contest a huge number of different race categories, but you will need to be crewing, or chartering, to see any of it.
On land, there are parades, fireworks and bands, which are the regulations will limit the number of drinks served in all-inclusive hotels to six per day.
The limit does not apply to anyone who booked a trip before January 23. Check with tour operators for details. individually priced. For full details. See cowesweek.co.uk.
Goodwood Revival Goodwood House, West Sussex September 11-13
In the grounds of this glam country house in Chichester, the Goodwood Revival recreates the postwar era on the estate’s classic motor racing circuit and on the airfield it encircles.
Classic race cars and bikes that raced at the circuit before it closed to competition in 1966 are invited, and racing is keen between very rare and hugely expensive machines. There is usually a Battle of Britain flypast, morning Spitfire patrols and low level aerobatics and a ground display of planes. Revival attire is encouraged. Tickets cost from £60.
It is one of two big events at Goodwood House, the other being July’s Festival of Speed. See goodwood.com.