Arriving by car along the towpath for the opening performance of the 40th Henley Festival, headliners The Script gave an epic performance to kick off the festival joining the 5,000 festival goers on site, with Danny O’Donoghue immersing himself in the crowd, creating what could only be described as a black tie frenzy.

Boney M also joined in the celebrations with a stellar performance in the Pure Heaven Festival Club.

All the old favourites of Henley Festival were to be seen with the hilarious and engaging roving troupes, the fabulous performers and frenetic buzz of the Speigeltent, enough fizz flying around to sink any of the boom hugging gin palaces, slipper launches and rowing boats (too many to count), street food galore from paella to Mexican burritos , fantastic art galleries, and the comedy tent which seems to have grown epically in size.

Going local at Henley Festival (not loco, though that may be inevitable after five nights of glitzy shenanigans) has to be done. Grab a Mr Hobbs G&T or cocktail or two at the Marina Bar with Find the Hidden Garden who have only just drawn breath from Henley Royal Regatta, mosey around the lawn with a delicious scoop from Gelato Henley, and pop into the Bedouin Tent to tap your toes to the live music with an award winning Henley Distillery Gin or an ice cold Lovibonds Lucky Lager.

Everyone loves first timers and Ryan & Liam from Orwells Restaurant at The Garden Bistro were knocking it out of the park with their super delicious food, cooking over Oxford Charcoal on Big Green Eggs slinging out dishes such as their Smoked Belly Dog, Smoked BBQ Pork Ribs, Bajun Spiced Monkfish and crispy scallop bites.

Don’t forget to make room for desserts oh yes, Chocolate Caramel Crunchie and Orwells Mr Whippy Salted Caramel Hokey Pokey Ice Cream Pot are just a couple to keep your sugar levels going.

All the fun of the fairground has been opened up and is a shimmy away where you will find more top notch food traders to keep you going at Pure Heaven.

Henley Festival is the only festival in the UK to have a floating stage which is built on top of the River Thames and is also the only festival in the UK where festival goers arrive by boat. Over 5,000 people attended the UK’s most glamorous music and arts festival along the banks of the river Thames for its opening night.

If the opening night is anything to go by and you’ve managed to snaffle tickets for the remainder of the evenings, with Craig David, Tom Jones, Pete Tong, Jack Savoretti and Kathryn Jenkins along with all the other incredible bands, performers and comedians, you’re in for an awesome experience which is only what is to be expected.

Henley is without doubt the host of the most amazing and unique festivals and events. We salute you!

Images: Henley Festival