Ascot Racecourse

Haven’t has the chance (yet) to attend the horse racing but the grounds are spectacular. I was on one of the boxes/​hospitality rooms on the 3^rd floor and could already feel the intensity. The Parc in the middle of the racetrack is open to the public so you’ll often bump inti runners, dog walkers or football players. I’d definitely try and attend the race once in my life. It’s now on my bucket list.

I’d never been to the races before and only been to ascot for a work conference. The venue wowed me so when my bf suggested Christmas races in mid December I was keen!
What a great day out — so much fun, as long as you have a little money to play with.
At Christmas there is plenty to see and do (as well as the 5 races) with reindeer, a small fair ground for the kids, chalets with mulled wine and street food, carols etc as well as the normal bars, pizza express, pie shop etc for food.
For a late lunch we actually went for pie and the price with a pint was very reasonable.
For each race there are dozens of different betting guys (don’t know the terms) with slightly different odds that you go to to place your bet — what an atmosphere. And then the real exciting bit: the race! All good fun until your horse comes last!
A brilliant day out — we were lucky the weather held up!

I haven’t experienced any horse racing here but I went here for the Red Bull Air Race.
Apart from the tickets being horrendously expensive for any of the indoor areas (where you don’t necessarily get a better view of the action) it’s an excellent day out.
Parking is well organised, the events are marshalled well and the whole place feels classy.
The food could be a bit better (frankly for a ticket that cost £180 I would expect food to be included) but all in all it’s a really nice experience.

One of those things you have to put on your bucket list. It was a real experience to visit and hobnob with all sorts of Brits and quite a few foreigners. We saw the Queen and the Royal Family arrive (the Royal Races last Tuesday), and from out grandstand area we could see all the crazy wealthy folks in their top hats and tails — and dresses with elaborate hats or fascinators — losing their money just as we were losing ours.
It was a fun day, everything there ranges from expensive to ridiculous but memorable. Allow plenty of time to get there by car, and consider taking a picnic — but honestly sitting by my car in the huge parking area and drinking champagne, while being cost-​effective, didn’t seem to «fit» with the ambience there. Although some guys in top hats were doing so! I guess the nouveau riche :)
For my American friends, remember that grandstand in Britain means just that — STAND. After decades of softening up in the US I was thinking we would get seats — but no!
Will I go again — quite possibly — it was fun I must say…

Visited Ascot for the Royal races recently. Absolutely fantastic way to spend the day (weather permitting!) Facilities are well organised and clean. Not being a gambler placing bets was a little intimidating at first but soon got the hang of it (bubbly wine may have helped!) would highly recommend for a change of scene from the london buzz. Trains direct from waterloo — pack a picnic and away you go!

It would be wrong to refer to Royal Ascot as a business. Even though the Racecourse Administrators would view it in another light. Particularly during Royal Ascot week held in the middle of June each year. It is a must on the British Racing Calendar, as well as a national event where people who normally do not gamble tend to go into a bookies shop and place a wager. Royal is added to this meeting at Ascot because it’s not only endorsed by the Queen and her Family going as far back as her Great Great (and Great again for good measure) Gandmother. But usually the Queen has one of her own horses in an event during that week and wouldn’t miss the race meeting for all her Castles in the UK. Well, shall we say, half of them?
Thoroughbred horses from all over the world make an annual pilgrimage to this event. The prestige alone is worth the extravagant plane fare. It is the British equivalent to the USA’s Breeder’s Cup and the Australian Melbourne Cup Spring Carnival. In other words, huge prize money is up for grabs by horses who are top class at certain distances. IE; In recent years the sprint races have been dominated by the Australian horses. This year the most famous guest horse is the American, ‘Animal Kingdom’ winner of the richest race in the world, ‘The Dubai Cup,’ and the ‘Kentucky Derby’. ‘Frankel’ was here for the first racing day last year and now the unbeaten ‘Frankel’ is retired. With the death of his trainer, the famous Sir Henry Cecil only last week, it could well make it a black armband day.
Apart from the millions of pounds on offer for the five day event, it is also a showcase for members of the ‘Human Kingdom’ to dig out their top hats and tails or Sunday best. Don’t even think of wearing jeans unless you only want to go into the cretin’s area way back from the REAL action in one of the back paddocks out there yonder. If you are DOWN there, the Queen may send a token smile in your general direction and maybe a Royal wave, as will all the other toffs, but as racing in the UK is still the ‘Sport of Kings and wealthy Queens’, if you are even thinking of going, make sure your Bank Robbery or Brinks Heist comes off first and someone directs you to Saville Row or Bond Street in London for the days attire. You’ll need a great designer to attack your person with enthusiasm if you want to be noticed. Which is half the reason why thousands flock to the picturesque racecourse in the first place.
If you are a man and the tailor asks you which side you wear your pants, make sure you look that one up on Google first, rather than face certain embarrassment. Being a girl, luckily, I don’t have to face such awkward questions. In the fashion stakes, a lass has better choices. A sharp hat or a bowl of fruit on your head is always a sure fire winner (without having to even place a bet) And any flirty skirt with a finely trimmed split in it, as long as you are wearing expensive shoes and other accessories, and that gets you down the straight and into the Winner’s Circlea long with a winning smile. No shortage of English gentlemen waiting to open that door, either! For sure, men have to cover their derrière with suit tails if they want to be in the ‘Elegant’ Members Stand, but in a woman’s case, given the figure, she can almost flash her rump without much, if anything, to cover it. The course officials have lightened upa tad. I understand now days you are permitted to even show off a shoulder blade. Or is that just too wicked?
This top class racing event is certainly a Fast Fillies game.
Like Barnam used to say to Bailey. ‘We have the greatest show on earth!’ No idle boast!
Will I give a tip for 2013? The King’s Stand Stakes on the Tuesday will have no ‘Black Caviar’ in it this year. That unbeaten Australian Champion has since retired, but ‘Shea Shea,’ the South African Champion, is one fast four legged piece of work and should be favourite. Then again, the Aussies have ‘Sea Siren’ in the race at long odds and she, like ‘Black Caviar’ knows how to get to a winning post swimmingly with great alacrity, as she’s no floater. My advice, you might have more fun watching this on Chanel 4, TV rather than being squashed in like a well dressed sardine, stuck in amongst thousands of boisterous, champagne fueled wanky-​poos of horse loving revelers, as you only get to see what shorter people usually only hear. Whereas, the many cameras covering the track, probably gives you the best view of them all. It is up to you to brave the day’s outing with BIG shoulder pads. Let’s face it, the best thing that could happenyou could pick a winnerthe worstyou could loose those finely nipped and tucked pants!

A perfect way to spend a Saturday. I was blessed with premier admission tickets so we got to have a higher/​posher view of the race but the compromise of that is that you cant bring your own food and drink into the fancy premier grass area.
So, things to remember for next time:
Buy the cheap tickets, invite all your girlfriends, dress up super fancy, rent an outrageous hat if you can’t afford one, bring a picnic and a bottle of wine (one per person is allowed!) and just watch the races! Bet on a few if you’re feeling cheeky.
Super fun. Something that was on my to-​do list while living here.

There are races on other occasions, but the big event is Royal Ascot — if only for the toffs in morning dress.
There are trains to Ascot from Waterloo every half hour or so but be warned they are packed. Better leave lots of time both to buy your tickets and to catch one when it arrives at quay, so that you can have a seat.
Short walk to the racecourse. I would advise to buy your tickets a few weeks or months in advance, but there are touts for those willing to take the risk.
Going on Saturday is a great day out and a «must» for foreigners in England. There is the party atmosphere, the dresses, the betting…
I would say there is no need, for a first visit, to buy tickets in the grandstand. The silver ring is as much fun, no need to dress (which is very specific, it’s not only one more occasion to wear that little black dress — for girls, of course :-) and betting is much simpler since bookmakers display their prices.

This racecourse is great, it looks very chic.
The atmosphere is always good with a variety of people.
They also do great family days and lots of different events.

I used to live in Ascot and it was a nightmare trying to drive around when the races were on. I recommend walking if your local or get a taxi or train if your not, not easy to get a bus to the town in Ascot, the nearest you can get too with ease is Heatherwood Hospital. Not worth the hassle trying to drive and you can’t get a parking space with ease either. very expensive for food and drink so recommend you bring stuff with you.
Make sure your dressed to perfection, loads of dressed up people here with suits and posh dresses and hats. You will feel out of place if you do not dress up. Bring loads of money as you will need it.

I attended Royal Ascot not to watch a horse race, but instead to attend a business briefing in the Ascot Pavilion.
The Pavilion is quite large as a business venue with a capacity of over 1,000 people. We had the upstairs as a seminar venue, and the lunch and coffee breaks were held downstairs. The tea and coffee were unremarkable; the biscuits were perhaps the highlight. The lunch on the other hand was very good for a mass-​catered event. A small bowl with mini sausages on a bed of mashed potato; vegetarian pasta, garlic and peppers option; plus a large collection of wraps and sandwiches. There was only one pudding, but it was a rather nice chocolate brownie with strawberry yoghurt smoothy.
After the main event we went for drinks in the back of the stands, and that is a very impressive building: from the road side it looks rather like a football ground, but inside looks like a smart modern airport, see the pictures.
Ascot is a huge venue, but there appeared to be lots of parking and the railway station is in walking distance. I’ve never been to a race meet, but I’d be interested in going to Ascot now.

Royal Ascot meeting in June is an English institution, part of the social season, perhaps the recent changes to the course have lost something but I think its getting sorted after a couple of years.
Tuesday and wednesday are quieter, thursday (‘Ladies’ Day) can be a bunfight.
It’s all a nonsense really, but a very pleasant one, everybody dressed up, lots to drink, hopefully sunny weather. I’m not sure everybody sees the races.
If you can get organised to go in the Royal enclosure do, it has better facilities and a certain style.
Clearly lots of celebs to see.
Catering has generally improved, especially sandwiches etc., but the salt beef was a little chewy and had to be returned.

Amazing structure
Lovely location
Great Racing
Plenty of bars and places to eat