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London has more than its fair share of nonsensical long-running traditions. The first Coat and Badge event saw Thomas Doggett commemorating the first anniversary of King George I's coronation by organising a five mile rowing race from Fishmonger's Hall at London Bridge to Cadogan Pier. Skip forward three centuries and it's happened every year since, with the winner still being presented with a specially designed coat and badge and being presented to the Prime Warden of the Fishmongers' Company at a grand banquet. While we can't get too excited about the prizes on this one – outerwear and jewellery were clearly of more importance in the eighteenth century than they are nowadays – this event does promise a history-steeped day out, with activities and entertainment either side of the race. The HMS Belfast will signal 15 minutes before the race, which starts at 11am, and the competitors will be flanked by The Gloriana. That's the Queen's barge, in case you aren't on first name terms.