Henley has officially been crowned the UK’s poshest town – according to a recent article from the Telegraph (also featured by Secret London too). While we’re all for celebrating Henley’s riverside charm and iconic events (we did choose it as the first town to feature in an Ace Places pack, after all!), we also want to reassure anyone planning a visit:
Yes, you can absolutely wear jeans.
Henley isn’t about stiff collars and dress codes – it’s a town full of character, creativity and community. On any given day, you’ll see people in jeans, trainers, cosy knits and dog-walking gear. No top hat required.
That said, there are a few times of year where Henley embraces a more formal dress code:
🎩 Henley Royal Regatta (late June/early July) – if you’re lucky enough to be in the Stewards' Enclosure or watching from Phyllis Court, there’s a traditional dress code: jackets and ties for men, and dresses or skirts below the knee for women.
🎻 Henley Festival (the week after Regatta) – this one’s full-on black tie. Time to dust off the dickie bow or bring out your ballgown!
🪩 Rewind Festival (August) – not posh, but definitely themed. Fancy dress is the order of the weekend – think 80s throwbacks, glitter, neon and wigs galore. It’s one of the most fun weekends to be in town.
But beyond that? Henley is relaxed, welcoming, and down-to-earth. Whether you're browsing the shops, heading to the pub, or taking a riverside stroll, wear whatever makes you feel comfortable.
The good news is all of these events feature in the Henley Playing Cards, so buy your pack before you arrive and you'll know all of the best places to check out whilst you're here.
And if you're curious about what else Henley is famous for (spoiler: it’s not just the Regatta), check out our blog post here:
Leave a comment
All comments are moderated before being published.
This site is protected by hCaptcha and the hCaptcha Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.