Peter Dench

the english summer season

Once bastions of gentility and the preserve of toffs, events of the English summer season like Epsom, Royal Ascot, Cartier Polo and the Henley Royal Regatta are now a free-for-all, rewriting the rules of society.  

A copy of the book is available here 

A full edit of the reportage is available from Getty Images 

shot on OLYMPUS 

  • A young woman smokes a cigarette straddled across a man's lap on Ladies' Day at Epsom.Ladies' Day is traditionally held on the first Friday of June, a multitude of ladies and gents head to Epsom Downs Racecourse to experience a day full of high octane racing, music, glamour and fashion.
  • Jethro and Kitty from Stratford on Ladies' Day at Epsom.Ladies' Day is traditionally held on the first Friday of June, a multitude of ladies and gents head to Epsom Downs Racecourse to experience a day full of high octane racing, music, glamour and fashion.
  • Woman chatter between the horse raing at Royal Ascot.One of Britain's most well-known racecourses, Ascot holds a special week of races in June each year called Royal Ascot, attended by The Queen. The week has become Britain's most popular race meeting, welcoming around 300,000 visitors over five days, all dressed up in their finest clothes and hats.
  • A groupf of German friends play a beer boat drinking game.Henley Royal Regatta is a rowing event held annually on the River Thames by the town of Henley-on-Thames, England. It was established on 26 March 1839.
  • A man utilises his jacket pocket as a holder for his packet of chips.Ladies' Day is traditionally held on the first Friday of June, a multitude of ladies and gents head to Epsom Downs Racecourse to experience a day full of high octane racing, music, glamour and fashion.
  • A woman with a Chanel bag socialises with friends at Epsom.Ladies' Day is traditionally held on the first Friday of June, a multitude of ladies and gents head to Epsom Downs Racecourse to experience a day full of high octane racing, music, glamour and fashion.
  • Less than lady like behaviour on Ladies' Day at Epsom.Ladies' Day is traditionally held on the first Friday of June, a multitude of ladies and gents head to Epsom Downs Racecourse to experience a day full of high octane racing, music, glamour and fashion.
  • Surrey Boy; a tattoo of allegianc to the county by one male visitor to Epsom.Ladies' Day is traditionally held on the first Friday of June, a multitude of ladies and gents head to Epsom Downs Racecourse to experience a day full of high octane racing, music, glamour and fashion.
  • The mother of the bride on Ladies' Day at Epsom.Ladies' Day is traditionally held on the first Friday of June, a multitude of ladies and gents head to Epsom Downs Racecourse to experience a day full of high octane racing, music, glamour and fashion.
  • A young woman on her cell phone holds a jar of Pimm's.Ladies' Day is traditionally held on the first Friday of June, a multitude of ladies and gents head to Epsom Downs Racecourse to experience a day full of high octane racing, music, glamour and fashion.
  • Visitor to Epsom take evasive action during a downpour.Ladies' Day is traditionally held on the first Friday of June, a multitude of ladies and gents head to Epsom Downs Racecourse to experience a day full of high octane racing, music, glamour and fashion.
  • A well dressed guest at Glyndebourne on the opening night of the 2017 opera season. Glyndebourne is an English country house, the site of an opera house that, since 1934, has been the venue for the annual Glyndebourne Festival Opera.
  • Visitor to Epsom take evasive action during a downpour.Ladies' Day is traditionally held on the first Friday of June, a multitude of ladies and gents head to Epsom Downs Racecourse to experience a day full of high octane racing, music, glamour and fashion.
  • Champagne bottles keeping cold in a water feature in the gardens of Glyndebourne. Glyndebourne is an English country house, the site of an opera house that, since 1934, has been the venue for the annual Glyndebourne Festival Opera.
  • Performers from the opera, Hipermestra by Francesco Cavalli, mingle with visitors ahead of the evening performance. Glyndebourne is an English country house, the site of an opera house that, since 1934, has been the venue for the annual Glyndebourne Festival Opera.
  • Visitors to the Veuve Clicquot bar located next to the bandstand at Royal Ascot.One of Britain's most well-known racecourses, Ascot holds a special week of races in June each year called Royal Ascot, attended by The Queen. The week has become Britain's most popular race meeting, welcoming around 300,000 visitors over five days, all dressed up in their finest clothes and hats.
  • The RHS Chelsea Flower Show, is a garden show held for five days in May by the Royal Horticultural Society in the grounds of the Royal Hospital Chelsea in London.
  • Dubarry of Ireland boot stall at The RHS Chelsea Flower Show, a garden show held for five days in May by the Royal Horticultural Society in the grounds of the Royal Hospital Chelsea in London.
  • Punters study the form and observe the horses at Royal Ascot.One of Britain's most well-known racecourses, Ascot holds a special week of races in June each year called Royal Ascot, attended by The Queen. The week has become Britain's most popular race meeting, welcoming around 300,000 visitors over five days, all dressed up in their finest clothes and hats.
  • Two women greet each other among the crowd on Ladies' Day at Epsom.Ladies' Day is traditionally held on the first Friday of June, a multitude of ladies and gents head to Epsom Downs Racecourse to experience a day full of high octane racing, music, glamour and fashion.
  • Miss Annette Glynn with a glass of wine at Royal Ascot.One of Britain's most well-known racecourses, Ascot holds a special week of races in June each year called Royal Ascot, attended by The Queen. The week has become Britain's most popular race meeting, welcoming around 300,000 visitors over five days, all dressed up in their finest clothes and hats.
  • Peter McNally Esq doffs his top hat to greet one guest at a champagne luncheon prior to the Royal Ascot meting in the No 1 Car Park for guests of George & Tatiana Piskov & Liz Brewer.One of Britain's most well-known racecourses, Ascot holds a special week of races in June each year called Royal Ascot, attended by The Queen. The week has become Britain's most popular race meeting, welcoming around 300,000 visitors over five days, all dressed up in their finest clothes and hats.
  • A woman with a drink and cigarette at Royal Ascot.One of Britain's most well-known racecourses, Ascot holds a special week of races in June each year called Royal Ascot, attended by The Queen. The week has become Britain's most popular race meeting, welcoming around 300,000 visitors over five days, all dressed up in their finest clothes and hats.
  • Peter McNally Esq at a champagne luncheon prior to the Royal Ascot meting in the No 1 Car Park for guests of George & Tatiana Piskov & Liz Brewer.One of Britain's most well-known racecourses, Ascot holds a special week of races in June each year called Royal Ascot, attended by The Queen. The week has become Britain's most popular race meeting, welcoming around 300,000 visitors over five days, all dressed up in their finest clothes and hats.
  • Rowing club colours worn by spectators at Henley.Henley Royal Regatta is a rowing event held annually on the River Thames by the town of Henley-on-Thames, England. It was established on 26 March 1839.
  • Opera enthusiasts picnic on the lawn at Glyndebourne's under-30s promotion night.Glyndebourne is an English country house, the site of an opera house that, since 1934, has been the venue for the annual Glyndebourne Festival Opera.
  • Visitors to the Veuve Clicquot bar located next to the bandstand at Royal Ascot.One of Britain's most well-known racecourses, Ascot holds a special week of races in June each year called Royal Ascot, attended by The Queen. The week has become Britain's most popular race meeting, welcoming around 300,000 visitors over five days, all dressed up in their finest clothes and hats.
  • No socks and loafers is the fashion choice by one group of male friends on a day out at Epsom.Ladies' Day is traditionally held on the first Friday of June, a multitude of ladies and gents head to Epsom Downs Racecourse to experience a day full of high octane racing, music, glamour and fashion.
  • A young female visitor to Epsom shows evidence of using fake tan.Ladies' Day is traditionally held on the first Friday of June, a multitude of ladies and gents head to Epsom Downs Racecourse to experience a day full of high octane racing, music, glamour and fashion.
  • Wearing high heels takes its toll on one visitor on race day at Epsom.Ladies' Day is traditionally held on the first Friday of June, a multitude of ladies and gents head to Epsom Downs Racecourse to experience a day full of high octane racing, music, glamour and fashion.
  • Henley Royal Regatta is a rowing event held annually on the River Thames by the town of Henley-on-Thames, England. It was established on 26 March 1839.
  • Georgie Lowe (left) and Lucy Walker, who row for Oxford Brookes University Boat Club, on the bank of the Thames at the Henley Royal Regatta.Henley Royal Regatta is a rowing event held annually on the River Thames by the town of Henley-on-Thames, England. It was established on 26 March 1839.
  • Cartier employees wait to open car doors for visitors to the prestigious VIP marquee.The 2017 Cartier Queen's Cup Final was played at the Guards Polo Club located in Windsor Great Park.
  • Simon Todd wearing the blazer of RUMSBC, a mixed club that rows from the University of London boathouse on the river Thames, at the Henley Royal Regatta, a rowing event held annually on the River Thames by the town of Henley-on-Thames, England. It was established on 26 March 1839.
  • A man wearing the club tie and blazer of Emmanual Cambriddge Boat Club at Henley Royal Regatta, a rowing event held annually on the River Thames by the town of Henley-on-Thames, England. It was established on 26 March 1839.
  • Miles Watson wears a jacket with the colours of Bewl Bridge Rowing Club. It is one of only two that exist and was presented to Watson on his 21st birthday for services to the club.Henley Royal Regatta is a rowing event held annually on the River Thames by the town of Henley-on-Thames, England. It was established on 26 March 1839.
  • A man wearing a Leander Club tie and Cambridge University Lightweight Rowing Club blazer at the Henley Royal Regatta, a rowing event held annually on the River Thames by the town of Henley-on-Thames, England. It was established on 26 March 1839.
  • Henley Royal Regatta is a rowing event held annually on the River Thames by the town of Henley-on-Thames, England. It was established on 26 March 1839.
  • Crowds gather to watch the horse racing on Ladies' Day at Epsom.Ladies' Day is traditionally held on the first Friday of June, a multitude of ladies and gents head to Epsom Downs Racecourse to experience a day full of high octane racing, music, glamour and fashion.
  • VIP gueats socialise in the Cartier marquee.The 2017 Cartier Queen's Cup Final was played at the Guards Polo Club located in Windsor Great Park.
  • VIP guests socialise in the Cartier marquee.The 2017 Cartier Queen's Cup Final was played at the Guards Polo Club located in Windsor Great Park.
  • Young polo enthusiasts sit in the boot of a car.The 2017 Cartier Queen's Cup Final was played at the Guards Polo Club located in Windsor Great Park.
  • An elderly woman wearing Chanel earing protects herself from the sun at the polo.The 2017 Cartier Queen's Cup Final was played at the Guards Polo Club located in Windsor Great Park.
  • Visitors to Royal Ascot sing patriotic songs around the bandstand at Royal Ascot.One of Britain's most well-known racecourses, Ascot holds a special week of races in June each year called Royal Ascot, attended by The Queen. The week has become Britain's most popular race meeting, welcoming around 300,000 visitors over five days, all dressed up in their finest clothes and hats.
  • Friends take a selfie on a visit to Epsom.Ladies' Day is traditionally held on the first Friday of June, a multitude of ladies and gents head to Epsom Downs Racecourse to experience a day full of high octane racing, music, glamour and fashion.
  • Revellers at a party hosted by the Chinawhite nightclub at Henley.Henley Royal Regatta is a rowing event held annually on the River Thames by the town of Henley-on-Thames, England. It was established on 26 March 1839.
  • Revellers at a party hosted by the Chinawhite nightclub at Henley.Henley Royal Regatta is a rowing event held annually on the River Thames by the town of Henley-on-Thames, England. It was established on 26 March 1839.
  • Revellers at a party hosted by the Chinawhite nightclub at Henley.Henley Royal Regatta is a rowing event held annually on the River Thames by the town of Henley-on-Thames, England. It was established on 26 March 1839.
  • Revellers at a party hosted by the Chinawhite nightclub at Henley.Henley Royal Regatta is a rowing event held annually on the River Thames by the town of Henley-on-Thames, England. It was established on 26 March 1839.
  • Friends try to keep dry from the rain under balnkets at Henley.Henley Royal Regatta is a rowing event held annually on the River Thames by the town of Henley-on-Thames, England. It was established on 26 March 1839.
  • A couple hug after a day watching the rowing at Henley.Henley Royal Regatta is a rowing event held annually on the River Thames by the town of Henley-on-Thames, England. It was established on 26 March 1839.
  • A man with his pint rests on the grass at Royal Ascot.One of Britain's most well-known racecourses, Ascot holds a special week of races in June each year called Royal Ascot, attended by The Queen. The week has become Britain's most popular race meeting, welcoming around 300,000 visitors over five days, all dressed up in their finest clothes and hats.
  • A verse from the British national anthem for those who forget the words on a screen at Royal Ascot.One of Britain's most well-known racecourses, Ascot holds a special week of races in June each year called Royal Ascot, attended by The Queen. The week has become Britain's most popular race meeting, welcoming around 300,000 visitors over five days, all dressed up in their finest clothes and hats.
  • intro
  • ukraine: sun, sea & sandbags
  • pridnestrovian moldavian republic
  • king charles III coronation
  • mourning queen elizabeth II
  • queen's platinum jubilee
  • boardmasters festival
  • sun, sea & covid-19
  • lockdown fanatical football fans
  • the tale of the tape
  • trans-siberian world cup
  • a1: britain on the verge
  • the english summer season
  • dench does dallas
  • football's hidden story
  • the british abroad
  • england uncensored
  • alcohol & england
  • advertising & commercial
  • films
  • portraits
  • singles
  • tearsheets
  • written articles
  • shop
  • ***archive
    • abu dhabi corniche
    • arab london
    • day off in the lives of europe
    • dench does lockdown
    • fashion faces
    • fashionUK
    • female fitness uk
    • freshers
    • great british bed + breakfast
    • heatwave uk
    • household cavalry
    • italy in decline
    • laiba & robyn
    • last resort revisited
    • leicester city fc
    • liverpool fc training at melwood
    • match of the day at 50
    • miami
    • royalUK : william & kate
    • royalUK : harry & meghan
    • schooldisco.com
    • sport in osire refugee camp
    • trawlermen
    • whitby goth festival
    • zabaleen of garbage city
  • private galleries
  • biography
  • contact