Henley Royal Regatta, taking place at Henley-on-Thames from Tuesday 30 June to Sunday 5 July 2026

The Henley Royal Regatta rowing event takes place on the River Thames at Henley-on-Thames in Oxfordshire, a town known for its picturesque scenery at the foot of the Chiltern Hills. It is undoubtedly the best-known regatta in the world, and a highlight of both the summer sporting calendar and the social season.

The Regatta attracts thousands of visitors over the week, and spectators are thrilled by over 400 races of an international standard, which can include Olympic rowers, as well as crews new to the event. Racing begins each morning (usually between 08:30 and 09:30) and runs into the evening, with the Sunday finals finishing by 16:30.

Whether you’re a first-timer or a seasoned Member, the Regatta is sure to offer you a great day out, with plenty of racing action, great food and drink, and an electric atmosphere.

Henley Royal Regatta attracts more than 300,000 visitors each year. This year, why not take the train to Henley-on-Thames and watch the rowing action from the riverside enclosures.

You can use the train to travel to and from Henley Royal Regatta

The Henley Royal Regatta takes place on the River Thames at Henley-on-Thames in Oxfordshire.

There is a railway station at Henley-on-Thames, which sits at the end of the railway branch line from Twyford. The Great Western Railway train journey between Twyford and Henley-on-Thames takes approximately 15 minutes, and trains on this line will have extra carriages during the event week.

To get to and from the step-free Twyford station, for your change of trains to Henley-on-Thames, there are regular trains which run between London Paddington and Reading (and beyond). Great Western Railway and Elizabeth line trains stop at Twyford. It takes between 30 and 45 minutes to get to Twyford from London, and only 5 minutes from Reading.

Which railway station should I travel to for Henley Royal Regatta?

You should go to Henley-on-Thames station. The station has step-free access, and it's a flat surface between the one station platform and the station exit.

The event's Enclosures are located on the Berkshire bank of the River Thames, the opposite bank to the town centre and railway station, but only a short distance away across Henley Bridge.

You can use the National Rail journey planner to plan your travel between your local station and Henley-on-Thames station.

Will the trains to and from Henley-on-Thames be busy?

Trains on the branch line between Twyford and Henley-on-Thames can be expected to be very busy on event days. The train operator Great Western Railway will be putting on extra carriages to cope with the additional demands of this famous event.

What tickets do I need to buy?

You’ll need to buy train tickets to make your train journey between your local station and Henley-on-Thames. If you're only travelling between London or Reading and Henley-on-Thames, you can also use Contactless pay as you go.

For the event itself, you'll need to buy a ticket to have the best experience of the Henley Royal Regatta. Although some enclosures at the event are for members and their guests only, tickets can be obtained for the Regatta Enclosure, which is open to the general public, and is the ideal place for families and people of all ages to watch the racing. There are areas along the River Thames that are free to access, but it is recommended to purchase tickets for a better experience, including riverside seating, a bar, dining options and facilities.

Can I get an Advance train ticket to travel to watch Henley Royal Regatta?

You can make your journey easier by buying your train tickets in advance.

A full range of train tickets to and from Henley-on-Thames station, including Advance tickets when available, can be purchased before your journey. Check out our Advance tickets page for more information on the savings that can be made for your trip.

Can I use my Railcard to buy train tickets?

Yes. You can use your Railcard on train tickets, including Advance tickets, for even more savings on your journey. A Railcard saves up to 1/3 on rail fares across Britain and is just £35 for 1 year. Once you purchase your Railcard, you can download your card straight to your phone – it couldn’t be easier. With average annual savings of up to £172 it pays for itself in no time. Find the best Railcard for you at railcard.co.uk.

Where can I find out more about this event, including accessibility?

Lots more information about the Henley Royal Regatta event can be found on the informative Henley Royal Regatta website.

Accessibility information for Henley Royal Regatta can be found on the event's Access for All website page.