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.”

The flag carrier will fly between London Gatwick and Entebbe four times a week, utilising its state-of-the art Airbus A330-800neo, offering convenient connections for both business and leisure travellers. 

The airport says the new route is a “significant milestone” in Gatwick’s strategy to develop routes across Africa, following the arrival of Ethiopian Airlines in November 2023, and shows the airport’s commitment to expanding its reach into high-growth markets. The flight times will also provide seamless onward connections to 14 destinations throughout sub-Sharan Africa.   

The direct link to Entebbe is expected to boost trade, tourism and investment between the UK and Uganda. In 2024, total UK trade with Uganda was valued at £606m, with UK exports to Uganda totalling £483m. With more than 200,000 Ugandans residing in the UK, the new service is poised to meet the growing demand for direct travel options, fostering closer ties between the two nations. 

Jonathan Pollard, Chief Commercial Officer, London Gatwick said: “We are delighted to welcome Uganda Airlines to London Gatwick. This new route not only strengthens our position as a key gateway to Africa but also supports our vision of fostering economic growth and connectivity, particularly among new markets across Africa, Asia and the Middle East.  

Jennifer Bamuturaki, CEO, Uganda Airlines said: “This new London route marks a major milestone in Uganda Airlines’ expansion strategy and reinforces our mission to connect Uganda to the world.  

“We are thrilled to offer UK travellers a direct, convenient path to the Pearl of Africa where they can experience unrivalled wildlife, breathtaking landscapes, and warm Ugandan hospitality. We invite the world to come and discover the magic of our country.” 

Many fliers heading from Europe to South Asia were facing longer journeys as the India-Pakistan conflict meant significant route changes.

The sudden escalation in military activity meant that Pakistan airspace was being avoided by major airlines including British Airways with a watching brief on Indian routes in case the situation deteriorated even further.

The re-routing means long journey times for passengers as well as additional fuel costs for airlines already suffering from tight margins.

Airlines avoiding Pakistan airspace include BA, Lufthansa, Air France-KLM and Emirates with approaches from the Indian Ocean necessary for important Indian destinations including Delhi and Mumbai.

A host of smaller Indian airports near the Pakistan border have been closed to comical traffic because of the simmering tensions.

The airline originally opened the route in 2019 but it was suspended shortly afterwards as the Covid pandemic took hold and it has subsequently been impacted by the military operation in Gaza which has particularly affected tourist traffic.

A statement from the airline said: “After careful consideration, our partners at Virgin Atlantic have taken the difficult decision to cancel services between London Heathrow and Tel Aviv.

“Virgin Atlantic will continue to serve Tel Aviv as the only UK airline to have a partnership with EL AL, Israel’s national carrier, on services between Tel Aviv Ben Gurion and London Heathrow.

“The codeshare partnership with EL AL offers connections between Israel, the UK and the US, specifically to Las Vegas, Miami, New York and Atlanta.

“This allows customers greater flexibility, frequencies with up to four daily flights, choice when selecting travel between Israel and the UK and reciprocal loyalty benefits.”

British Airways currently operates flights between Heathrow and Tel Aviv, while Wizz Air serves the city from Luton.

It is possible to buy flights on the Virgin website but they are operated by El-Al.

The UK’s largest scheduled coach operator has introduced faster journeys and an increase in services ahead of the Easter getaway. Tickets are available now from £7 one way.

National Express is increasing the frequency of daily services between Birmingham and Heathrow from 22 to 27 services a day. At the same time 18 of its fastest services will become even quicker than rail services, meaning customers can reach the airport in as little as 2 hours 15 minutes.

Services to London Gatwick are also increasing, arriving at the airport within 3 hours 25 minutes – shaving nearly 30 minutes off the current journey times from Birmingham.

Ed Rickard, Network Director for National Express, said: “We are thrilled to be introducing even faster, better connectivity between Birmingham, Heathrow, and Gatwick, with some coach journeys quicker than rail but at a much lower price.

“This latest investment in services from Birmingham means we are offering over double the number of services and faster journey times than any other operator, making it easier than ever for savvy holidaymakers to get to the airport. 

“Customers can skip the hassle of hauling luggage or changing trains with our direct service from Birmingham Coach Station straight to the airport terminal door. Combined with a brilliant customer experience, travellers can sit back, relax and enjoy a stress-free start to the holidays.” 

Sophie Chapman, Surface Access Director at Heathrow, said:  “As part of our commitment to reaching net-zero, Heathrow is dedicated to encouraging the use of sustainable travel options at the airport. Heathrow’s extensive coach network provides direct services to many towns and cities across the country, and we are very pleased that journey times between Birmingham and the airport are about to get even quicker and more frequent.”

Customers can expect a safe and comfortable experience on board, with leather reclining seats, free Wi-Fi on selected services, USB charging points and a generous luggage allowance of up to 20kg. 

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.