Event of 1839: The first Henley Royal Regatta is held on the River Thames, in Henley-on-Thames,

Background. Henley Royal Regatta is a British rowing event held annually on the River Thames near Henley-on-Thames. The event originated from local interest in boat races on the Henley reach. In March 1839, a public meeting in Henley Town Hall discussed establishing an annual regatta. Captain Edmund Gardiner argued that such an event would benefit the town and provide amusement for the public, leading to the first staging in 1839.

Establishment. The regatta was first staged in 1839. The initial success of the event led to its expansion from one day to two days in the following year. The Grand Challenge Cup for men's eights, the most prestigious event, has been awarded since the regatta was first staged. The course was raced over a distance of about one mile and 550 yards from Temple Island upstream towards Henley Bridge.

Course. At the first regatta in 1839, the finish line was Henley Bridge itself. However, this location had inherent problems, so from 1840 onward the finish was moved downstream slightly. Eventually, a point opposite the lawn of the Red Lion Hotel became the standard finish line. The original name pre-dating Royal patronage was simply Henley Regatta.