Some of them require you to dress up, which can be part of the fun, but others are easily casual. It’s the event that matters – and as long the notoriously unpredictable weather is on your side is easy to immerse yourself in the age-old traditions of England.

Here’s a short list of some of the best events in 2025

Glastonbury Festival 25-29 Jun

http://glastonburyfestivals.co.uk

One of the world’s most famous popular music festivals dating back to 1970. A bit of a squeeze for the most popular acts with around 200,000 attending. But it’s set on 1500 acres of farmland so there’s plenty of room to pitch a tent and enjoy the slightly hippie-ish culture. Acts this year include Neil Young, Rod Stewart, Kaiser Chiefs and Superegrass.

Henley Royal Regatta 1-6 July

http://hrr.co.uk

The world’s most famous regatta set on a wide and straight section of the River Thames. There’s over 400 races of international standard but it’s just the backdrop to a fabulous social day out involving food, conviviality and an opportunity to immerse yourself in this event which dates back to 1839. There’s lots of private enclosures and corporate entertaining near the finish line but the nice thing about Henley is that it’s possible to view it free of charge from the bank slightly downriver.

Wimbledon Championships 30 June – 13 July

http://Wimbledon.co.uk

The oldest and arguably most prestigious tennis tournament in the world. The only major tournament played on grass and with a history dating back to 1877. It’s full of tradition – an all-white dress code, minimal advertising and a requirement for modest, polite behaviour from the spectators. Members of the royal family are often in attendance and, needless to say, it’s difficult to get tickets for the key, centre court matches. But its possible to queue up and get admission on the day for some of the minor games. Be warned – you won’t be alone doing this.

Formula 1 British Grand Prix 3 – 6 July

http://silverstone.co.uk

First held in 1926, it’s been an important event in the motor racing world since 1950. Set on the Silverstone Circuit, Northamptonshire, it’s a key date for petrol heads with the the noise, the smells and the presence of the sport’s best racers all adding to the thrill of the competition. There’s a variety of tickets all available online with prices dependent on the particular day and culminating in the final Formula 1 world championship race on the last Sunday.

Cowes Week 2 – 8 August

http://cowesweek.co.uk

One of the largest and longest-running sailing regattas set around the lively town of Cowes on the Isle of Wight. Dating back to 1826, it involves around 40 daily races and 2500 competitors. But sailing is only one part of the story and there’s a host onshore events with a nautical theme ranging from parties to live music. Needless to say, nowhere near Heathrow or Gatwick and involving a ferry journey across the Solent. Easy to watch the competitions from the banks and it attracts around 100,000 visitors. Hotel rooms are at a premium.

Henley Festival 9 – 13 July

http://henley-festival.co.uk

Officially the Henley Festival of Music and the Arts it’s Britain’s only black-tie festival. Set on the site of Henley Regatta, run the previous week, it’s an eclectic mix of music, art exhibits, roving performers and some superb outdoor restaurants. Some the world’s major acts have performed there including Sir Elton John , the Beach Boys, Dame Shirley Bassey, Sir Tom Jones. This year Diana Ross is scheduled to appear.

The 4:34am train is now the first service of the day to reach Heathrow, arriving just 15 minutes after departure and running non-stop to the terminal—perfect for passengers with tight check-in times, easing the stress of early-morning travel.

By booking 45 days or more in advance, travellers can snap up a one-way ticket for just £10.00, making Heathrow Express the go-to choice for those seeking speed, comfort, and reliability without the hefty price tag. With children under 15 travelling free, it’s an even smarter, cost-effective option for families.

Aoife Considine, Business Lead at Heathrow Express, said: “By looking closely at how and when our passengers travel, we identified a clear need for earlier services to help people reach 6am departures. Our new 4:34am train is designed to make those early flights easier to catch. With just a 15-minute journey from Central London to Heathrow, it’s a smarter and more efficient way to travel, helping you arrive calm, prepared, and with time to start your day right. It also offers a reliable and sustainable option for Heathrow colleagues commuting to earlier shifts, supporting both operational needs and our wider environmental goals.”

But a word of warning – check with your airline to ensure it’s feasible and make sure you have plenty of time to undertake the exercise. There’s nothing worse than missing your connection, especially if your luggage IS on board. You also need to ensure you have the right paperwork in terms of passports and visas to make your return as trouble free as possible.

Assuming all is correct, here’s a top list

Windsor Castle: relatively close to Heathrow although needs a taxi there and back. Famous throughout the world as the country home of the British monarchy. Lots of exhibitions and historical elements as befits the world’s largest occupied castle.

Windsor Great Park: adjoining the Castle but stretching for thousands of acres in a mainly south westerly direction. The late Queen Elizabeth was a regular horse rider on the estate well into her 90s. Great for a breath of fresh air during a break in a long flight.

Runnymede: also a taxi ride but relatively close. Arguably the birthplace of democracy (the Greeks may disagree) where the Magna Carta was signed but also of huge international significance with an American air force war memorial. Very pretty spot on the banks of the Thames.

Eton: adjoining Windsor and home to the famous public school which educated prime ministers and royalty. Lovely historic buildings and well worth a gentle amble or a visit to one of the welcoming restaurants.

Paddington: Not everyone’s choice but hey, if you like a railway station, an easy visit. The Heathrow Express takes just 15 minutes from Terminal 5 or the Central Area. Have a wander around the platforms and watch trains depart for the west country as Brunel did in the 19th Century. Some lovely canal-side restaurants a few minutes walk away from the station concourse.

Bond Street: Get on the Elizabeth line and head to what is arguably London’s smartest shopping district of Mayfair. Some of those shops will give your bank account a bit of a bashing so be prepared.

Hyde Park: a brisk walk from Paddington takes you to central London’s largest park – a substantial 350 acres of greenery with the Serpentine lake at its heart. Some nice cafes overlooking the lake.

Soho: Take one more stop on the Elizabeth Line and get out at Tottenham Court Road station for an easy walk down to Soho the centre of London’s creative industries. Feel the buzz of the film industry in action and maybe even spot a celebrity or two in its narrow streets.

China Town: keep walking south from Soho and you won’t miss China Town. More restaurants than you can imagine and an aroma of delicious food that pervades the whole area which reflects Britain’s links with its former colony of Hong Kong.

Westminster: A tube, bus or taxi from Paddington and you reach Westminster, the seat of the UK government. Big Ben, the Houses of Parliament and a multitude of government offices create an atmosphere of work in progress. It’s possible to get a tour of the Parliamentary building but this really needs to be arranged in advance.

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Conceived as a civilian airport in the late 1940s it has grown incrementally over the following decades with all the challenges that entails. Compared to the purpose-built airports of the Gulf and many other recently developed countries it has no central concept and is essentially a collection of very different terminals built at different times over the decades.

It does of course have distinct advantages. It is closer to the heart of its nation’s capital than most other similar airports with a superb selection of transport links, from the fast and comfortable Heathrow Express (15 minutes to Londons’ Paddington Station) to the slower but equally efficient underground service for the more budget conscious. Plus assorted taxis and buses.

As one of the first privately-owned national airports, it reflects its commercial heritage with some of the best airport shopping available in the world. There’s a multitude of eating and drinking outlets – from basic grab-and-go cafes to high-end eateries with Michelin-starred names on the welcome board.

But the key to Heathrow is knowing which terminal you’re going to use. For most people it’s not a problem but transiting between terminals can be a trek and its wise to allow plenty of time if this is part of your journey.

Terminals two and three are in the airports central area and can be connected by foot, even though it can be a bit of a challenge for the less mobile.

Terminal four and five need some form of transport. It’s possible to connect via the Heathrow Express but there are also many buses, both and airside and landside and all of them are free. Just remember to allow plenty of time if you are transiting between terminal as part of your journey.