Highlights of the British social season

The British social season can provide perfect opportunities for corporate entertaining, especially for international companies hosting senior executives and VIPs from further afield who may never have experienced these summer season delights. 

The Royal Windsor Information Centre team can help you source and book accommodation, events, dinners and meeting spaces and introduce you to event organisers, tour guides and more so you can deliver a showcase package for your guests.

Our destination has a wealth of top country hotels, unique and modern conference venues, Michelin-starred restaurants and international events that will dazzle. If you're responsible for booking company events and meetings this year, let us help you find the perfect spot to wow your guests.

Royal Windsor Horse Show – May  

Royal Windsor Horse Show is the UK’s largest outdoor premier Show and takes place in the private grounds of Windsor Castle. The Show hosts 5* International Show Jumping (which is the highest level possible) as well as 4* International Dressage and 4* International Carriage Driving. There are also national classes in Show jumping and Windsor is one of the UK’s premier Showing events.

Cartier Queen's Cup polo – May to June

Attracting the world's greatest players and their first-class string of ponies. Add to that Cartier's impressive VIP guest list, fabulous Clubhouse hospitality and the stunning backdrop of Windsor Great Park and the Cartier Queen's Cup has all the hallmarks of being a key event in the English social season.

You can catch many other polo match fixtures at Guards Polo Club, Smiths Lawn in Windsor Great Park between April and September.  

Royal Ascot – June

The Royal Meeting’s spectacular heritage, unlike any other, has made the event at Ascot Racecourse anticipated and revered the world over. From the arrival of the royal procession to the communal singing around the Bandstand, with top-class races between, each of the five days is unforgettable.

A choice of enclosures each with an individual character or numerous hospitality packages allow you to curate your own truly special occasion. Event upgrades include enclosure tickets, corporate boxes, private dining and gazebo for small parties. With a choice of packages - a luxurious marquee in a prime trackside location, adjacent to the Royal Enclosure Gardens with spectacular head-on views down the finishing straight you can add champagne on arrival, three-course à la carte luncheon with a formal table service and extensive cocktails menu. This really is a top-notch event with an endless choice of ways you can make your guests feel like royalty!

The Royal Berkshire Hotel is just over a mile away from Ascot Racecourse. It’s a beautiful, luxurious country house hotel with the warmest of welcomes. The 15 acres of manicured grounds include a private walled garden, fountain plaza, sun-drenched terrace and pristine and flat lawns. Out of Royal Ascot season, it’s ideal for corporate and private events too. 

The Fourth of June – June  

This is a unique annual celebration for scholars and their families at Eton College, the world-famous boys’ school just over the bridge from Windsor. Since the early 1800s, The Fourth of June celebrates the birthday of George III, a great supporter of the school, with a grand festival of speeches, cricket and the procession of boats. The highlight of the day takes place on the River Thames crews of each boat stand and raise their flower adorned boaters to cheer the Queen, the School and the memory of George III whilst shaking the flowers from their boaters into the river. In years gone by it was a public event viewed from The Brocas in Eton, but is now a much more private affair. Nevertheless one with a fascinating history! You can visit the Eton College Collections to see more about the school.

Henley Royal Regatta – June/July   

Henley Royal Regatta is undoubtedly the best-known regatta in the world. It is a highlight of both the summer sporting calendar and the social season. The Regatta attracts thousands of visitors over a five-day period. Spectators are thrilled by over 200 races of an international standard, which can include Olympic rowers as well as crews new to the event. The ticketed enclosures have a strict dress code which sees rowing alumni in striped blazers and rowing club colours, while ladies are encouraged to wear hats and dresses or skirts with a hemline below the knee. Outside of the enclosures, further down the river to the start of the race, there are corporate hospitality tents and riverside picnics.  

Travel to the ultimate rowing event of the year in style with luxury boating company Hobbs of Henley. Whether you’re travelling as a member of the public or would like to charter a boat for a corporate event, get in touch with Hobbs for the ultimate river taxi service.

Windsor Festival – September    

The festival encompasses music, talks, walks & tours, exhibitions and open houses featuring world-class musicians, authors and speakers. A truly wonderful festival of the arts staged in unique venues across Windsor for over 50 years.  

Situated right in the heart of Windsor, opposite Windsor Castle you can choose from The Castle Hotel and Macdonald Windsor Hotel. Both will give you beautiful views from luxury bedrooms!

Sample itinerary for a VIP guest or senior executives:

Enjoy a quintessentially English day out Ascot Racecourse for Royal Ascot or an Ascot Race Day. Breakfast on the terrace at the Royal Berkshire Hotel, meeting space in their boardroom or lounge as required. Depart late morning for a day of racing at Ascot Racecourse.  Private luncheon booked at Ascot Racecourse.  

Sample itinerary for event bookers and corporate groups:

Catch a day of action watching Polo and enjoy lunchtime dining at Guards Club in Windsor Great Park. Follow it up with an afternoon of learning to play Polo at Coworth Park, Ascot as a team-building event.  

Sample itinerary for associations and membership groups:

Catch a train to Henley-on-Thames for a day out at Henley Regatta (end of June/early July) and walk along the towpath to soak up the atmosphere of this event. Book seats with Hobbs of Henley for a buffet lunch and afternoon tea on board a boat for a different perspective. Hobbs run boat trips all year round and offer a range from self-drive motor boats to large catered events aboard luxurious passenger vessels.  

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