It was our first official visit to the Boodles Challenge this year, held at the prestigious Stoke Park Club in Buckinghamshire. We arrived at noon and made our way through the gates towards the tennis courts. Scattered across the grounds, the marquees transform the gardens of Stoke Park into an exciting and atmospheric summer event.

Our first port of call before the tennis began was the Boodles Gallery where the sponsors display their finest products. Here we were greeted by chilled Pommery and respite from the burning hot sun. A beautiful and captivating female jazz singer filled the room with a party ambiance as hundreds of guests looked over stunning exhibits of diamond jewellery. The time of the first tennis match was soon upon us and we headed to the main court to take our seats.

The Boodles offers a unique chance to see world-class players up-close, truly enjoying the game in friendly competition without the pressures experienced in most other tournaments. Whilst Andrew Murray was missing from the line up from injury, it did not lead to disappointment as the standard of tennis was so high from both past and present stars. The small grandstand that surrounds the main court provides excellent viewpoints from all areas and the tennis was thoroughly enjoyable.

At the centre of the event, a line of grass courts provide the warm up area for the players, where guests are meters from the action whilst picnicking in the grounds. Fortnum and Mason are on site to make sure this is done in luxury and the hampers make a perfect compliment to the quintessential English afternoon. This wouldn’t also be complete without Pimms and as one would expect the supply was plentiful. With around 3 matches played per day your schedule is neatly broken up between games and sets, jugs and glasses.

If you are after something a little more special, the organsiers of the event offer a number of levels of hospitality, starting form a full lunch in the Boodles Gallery, to a £250,000 package that include tennis tuition, a professional tennis player for lunch, £100,000’s worth of Boodles jewellery and the use of a Bentley.