The London Social Calendar, 1897

by Kimberly Keagan

London's Social Season was fluid, depending on weather and hunting. The season typically coincided with the opening of Parliament, when its members would file into London from their country homes.

Social events, however, weren't in full swing until Easter, when people started to filter in from their country estates. In 1897,  the year of Queen Victoria's Jubilee, the annual exhibition at the Royal Academy of Art was considered "official" opening of the season. 

MARCH
26th The Grand National horserace in Aintree, near Liverpool

JUNE
2nd Epsom Derby Day
15th - 18th Royal Ascot
21st - July 1st Lawn Tennis Championships at Wimbledon

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APRIL
3rd The 54th Annual University Boat Race between Oxford and Cambridge

​Church Parades in Hyde Park​

JULY
14th - 16th The Henley Royal Regatta

MAY
3rd Opening day of the 129th Exhibition of the Royal Academy of Arts
22nd Ladies Driving Competition at Ranelagh

AUGUST
2nd Closing Day of the Royal Academy of Arts Exhibition

The season comes to a close and people take advantage of the last days of summer along the coasts of England and France. 

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