Wargrave and Shiplake, two small villages either side of the Thames some three miles upriver from Henley, hold one of the largest regattas on the Thames over two days each August, with around 1000 individuals competing in 400 races for skiffs, punts and canoes using traditional rivercraft.

There are events for boys, girls, ladies, gentlemen, mixed and veterans. The course is short, around 400 yards, and downstream, but still arduous as the boats are traditional in style and therefore heavy. The liveliest events tend to be those involving punting in canoes (especially the doubles!), and the hotly contested dongola classes, which involve crews of six paddling three-foot wide punts while down on one knee.

Enthusiasts pitch their gazebos from 5am on the Friday, with a wide walkway kept clear along the riverbank for spectators to walk up and down. On the field you’ll find a shop, bar, food tent and mobile catering vans, plus of course ice creams and bouncy castles. For lots more information visit the website above.