From the Chairmen and Committee of the Thames Traditional Boat Festival: 19th May, 2026
It is with enormous sadness that we write to let you know that the Committee of the Thames Traditional Boat Festival has taken the incredibly difficult decision to postpone this year’s Festival.
Over recent months, we have been asked to understand and respond to significant new requirements relating to the riverbanks at Fawley Meadows, where the Festival takes place. In seeking to control the naturally changing banks, the Environment Agency has compelled the landowners, Henley Royal Regatta, to introduce changes that for the first time in well over a century, will prevent vessels from mooring along the riverbank at Fawley Meadows. While we knew that bank works were underway, it was only last Friday that we were informed we would no longer be permitted to install our usual temporary pontoons. Until then, we had been working closely and constructively with Henley Royal Regatta to identify a safe and workable solution.
Following many discussions and revisions, a possible way forward had almost been agreed involving the installation of T-shaped floating pontoons held away from the banks with piles and accessed by raised walkways. Although this would have transformed the appearance and costs of the Festival waterfront beyond anything seen before, we were determined to find a way to continue. However, Friday's new demands would have required the installation of a continuous floating pontoon system along the entire upper and lower meadows: a distance of approximately half a mile. Quite apart from the estimated additional cost of around £65,000: This was deemed by the Committee to be very unsafe, it would certainly have been very unstable!
In addition to the mooring issues; extensive areas of the site remain in a poor condition following the works. Large sections nearest the river are currently loose earth and shingle, while areas of the Upper Meadow are still effectively mud. Although grass seed has been sown, it is simply unrealistic to expect a safe and usable surface to establish itself within the remaining eight weeks before the Festival. Any resulting damage would also become the responsibility of the Festival to rectify. Quite apart from the financial implications, the TRAD is not Glastonbury: we don't believe our supporters would want to wallow in mud should there be a little rain. Even last week, dry as it was, our boots were caked in mud as we took our photos. (see below)
We did investigate alternative venues, as we have done previously, but unfortunately there is simply no other suitable site capable of accommodating The TRAD, particularly at such short notice.
This is a devastating outcome for the Committee and for everyone connected with the Festival, particularly as this year’s event was shaping up to be one of the very best we have ever staged. It is no easy decision to let down so many loyal supporters, volunteers, boaters, suppliers, bands, caterers, exhibitors and the providers of our new riverside pub — Rebellion, Oaken Grove and Henley Distillery — many of whom will have turned down other valuable opportunities in order to support the Festival. We know many people will be deeply disappointed and upset, and we offer our most sincere and heartfelt apologies to everyone we were looking forward to welcoming in July.
If you have invested in the Festival in any way, through ticket purchases, moorings, trade stands or other bookings, we will be in touch over the coming days regarding reimbursements or transferring bookings to 2027. We beg your patience while we work through what is, for a very small volunteer team, an enormous administrative task. As many of you know, the Thames Traditional Boat Festival is organised by a Committee of just six volunteers, all of whom give their time throughout the year, in addition to working extremely long hours during setup, the event itself and breakdown. Unlike many events, the Festival pays no salaries and income has always been focussed on hosting the event itself, while slowly building a reserve to help underwrite setup costs and unforeseen challenges. This situation is entirely beyond our control, and despite every effort made over recent months, we have ultimately been left with no viable option other than cancellation/postponement.
We very much hope that everyone who has supported the Thames Traditional Boat Festival over the years will continue to stand with us and return next year, when we are confident the Festival can once again take place in the spirit, setting and atmosphere that make it so special.
With our sincere thanks and very best wishes,
Judy, Lady McAlpine and Adam Toop and all of the The Thames Traditional Boat Festival Committee
The Steam Boat Association of Great Britain