TIS the season… to book tickets for the flagship events that signal Britain’s summer Season (page 63) and they are selling fast. Some slots at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show (May 21–25), for which the first two days are members only, will have gone, but visitors are advised to check the website (www.rhs.org.uk) on May 7 for updates. Most importantly, the selling of the glorious f loral displays begins at 4pm on the Saturday.
Tickets for the Thursday and Saturday of Royal Ascot (June 18–22) are now limited, but there is availability in the Village Enclosure (from £ 85), where evening entertainment is provided by Masters of the Scene: ABBA, The Show, and in the Windsor Enclosure (£65), where there’s also live music and you can bring your own picnic (www.ascot.com). Glorious Goodwood (July 30–August 3) is always a delightful alternative to Ascot and early-bird discounts of 15% are available until May 31 (www. goodwood.com).
The public ballot for Wimbledon (July 1–14) has closed, but there’s still debentures, hospitality—and, rarely for a major sporting event —The Queue, a great tradition in itself. Early birds will have a chance to buy one of 500 tickets for Centre Court and Courts No 1 and 2 (until the last four days of the tournament) or a grounds pass (£30); organisers advise that, if you arrive by 9am, you should get in (www.wimbledon.com).
If you’d rather not queue, visit www.hrr.co.uk to book for the Henley Regatta (July 2–7, prices start at £34) or there’s thrilling high-goal polo at Guards, Windsor (www.guardspoloclub.com) —the Cartier Queen’s Cup (17–22 goals) final is on June 16—and Cowdray, West Sussex, when the international polo world descends on Midhurst for the 22-goal Gold Cup (the final is on July 21; www. cowdraypolo.co.uk). The England vs West Indies (men’s) Lord’s Test match runs this year on July 10–14 and tickets for Thursday and Friday are already sold out, but there are other international fixtur
