Ascot Racecourse is located in Berkshire, near Windsor and London
Ascot Racecourse is famous as a world-class racecourse, attracting a wide audience; from occasional racegoers on a fun day out, to serious racing aficionados. Founded by Queen Anne in 1711, Ascot is still in Royal ownership. Located 6 miles from Windsor, the Racecourse runs both flat and jumps race meetings.
Up until 1945, the only racing at Ascot Racecourse was the Royal Ascot meeting in June. Today Ascot Racecourse has a full racing fixtures calendar, hosting major races like the King George VI, Queen Elizabeth Stakes, and Qipco British Champions Day.
Ascot's Flat Race Track
The Ascot Round Course is a right-handed, triangular circuit of 14 furlongs, with easy turns, and a run-in of 2½ furlongs. The Ascot Straight Mile Course and the Old Mile Course join the Round Course at Swinley Bottom. Ascot is a galloping course, despite the downhill run into Swinley and relatively short run-in. Since redevelopment, the turn into the straight is more sweeping. The ground in the straight drains quicker than the rest of the course, so the going can vary.
Ascot's Jump Race Track
Reopened in 2006/7 after improvements to drainage, the National Hunt Course is a right-handed, galloping track. With 10 touch fences, or 6 hurdles per circuit, and a stiff uphill 240 yard run in, the course takes plenty of jumping, suiting horses with good jumping ability and stamina. Saving ground where you can and meeting the fences right are key when you’re riding Ascot.
Royal Ascot Week
Ascot Racecourse is famous for Royal Ascot, a 5-day Festival attended by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II every day. The highlight of this truly unmissable royal race meeting is the Royal Procession with HM The Queen arriving in a horse-drawn open carriage via the Golden Gates, along the racecourse, and into the Parade Ring at 2.00pm each day.
Arguably the worlds most prestigious Flat Race meeting, attracting some of the world’s best horses & jockeys, Royal Ascot is famous for its place in the Summer racing and social calendar. Royal Ascot has pageantry, fashion, style + top-class horse racing. Nowhere does it quite so well as Ascot Racecourse during Royal Ascot week.
Each day of the 5-Day Royal Ascot race meeting contains at least one feature race, with no fewer than 17 Group Races, 3 of which Group 1 Ascot races kick-start the opening day. Racing highlights include the Golden Jubilee Stakes, the Queen Anne Stakes , the Diamond Jubilee Stakes, and the Gold Cup.
Designed to attract the top horses from around the world, Ascot Racecourse continually boosts Royal Ascot Week’s prize fund, now standing at a record $7.5 million.
Ascot Racecourse Grandstand Enclosures
Ascot Racecourse underwent major redevelopment during 2004-2005, when Royal Ascot moved to York Racecourse. On completion in 2006, the Racecourse was reopened by HM The Queen, and Royal Ascot moved back again to it’s rightful home. Since its refurbishment, the new Grandstand has positioned Ascot as a world-class sporting, conference and entertainment venue + a leading international racecourse.
The new Grandstand has two superbly appointed wings, accommodating both a new Royal Enclosure, and the new Queen Anne Enclosure. Outside, new racegoer facilities include trackside lawns, landsaped gardens, two parade rings, champagne bars, restaurants, and more.
Royal Enclosure & Queen Anne Enclosure
ROYAL ENCLOSURE: The Royal Enclosure offers exclusive Grandstand 4th floor access to the restaurants, bars, seated gantry and race viewing balconies for over 1800 guests. Royal Enclosure Gardens and trackside lawns provide a place to relax, with a choice of Champagne bars and fine-dining restaurants.
Royal Enclosure guests enjoy a unique vantage point over the Pre-Parade and Parade Rings where they can watch the Royal Procession, and see the horses before each race. There’s also a spacious viewing lawn by the winning post to watch the final moments of each race. Five exclusive fine-dining restaurants, with Michelin-starred chefs, hospitality packages, impeccable service and unsurpassed racing views, add to the enjoyment of the occasion.
QUEEN ANNE ENCLOSURE: While it does not have the exclusivity of the Royal Enclosure, the Queen Anne Enclosure still puts racegoers at the heart of the racing action with Parade Ring viewing, Home Straight viewing, and access to the ground floor of the Grandstand with 4 fine-dining restaurants.
PRIVATE BOXES, GAZEBOS & LODGES: Private boxes in the Grandstand can accommodate 10 guests or more with uninterrupted views, fine-dining menus and superb service. Private gazebos by the winning post and trackside lodges with parking berths close to the parade ring provide an exclusive entertianment space for up to 16 guests.
ARRIVE IN STYLE: Guests can arrive direct from London Waterloo or by air via private helicopter service. Car Parks 1,2, and 7 are for the sole use of Royal Enclosure members and guests, and are convenient for picnicking before the Royal Procession – a long-standing tradition of ‘berth holders’.
Go Racing @ Ascot Racecourse
BY CAR
Ascot Racecourse is located 36 miles from London (a 50 minute drive), and 15 miles from Reading, near the junction between the A329 and A330. Access from M3 (Junc. 3) and M4 (Junc. 6)
PARKING
There is plenty of on-site car parking on-site with prices from £5 for car park No’s 1,2 & 3 £5. Rest free.
BY RAIL
Frequent service from Waterloo to Ascot Station – station adjoins the racecourse.
BY AIR
Heathrow and Gatwick Airports are both convenient for the racecourse. It is also possible to land a helicopter at Ascot Racecourse subject to prior approval. To book email roo@helipad.co.uk or visit the Helipad website. Max 5 people per flight, £50 per person inc VAT.
GENERAL ENQUIRIES
For more information on race fixtures, music nights or general enquiries please call the racecourse on 0800 7227227. You can also tweet Ascot @AscotRacecourse.
TICKET ENQUIRIES
To book tickets, please call the hotline on 0800 7227227
RESTAURANT & HOSPITALITY ENQUIRIES
For more information about our world-class range of dining and hospitality facilities, email or call us on 0800 7227227
SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES
If you’re interested in sponsorship at Ascot Racecourse, send an enquiry or call 0800 7227227 to speak to a member of our Partnerships team.
VENUE ENQUIRIES
If you’re interested in hiring a space at Ascot Racecourse, whether it’s for a wedding, conference or exhibition, or require more information about the venue, get in touch by email to chris.stickels@ascot.co.uk or call 0800 7227227
OUR ADDRESS
Ascot Racecourse, Ascot, Berks, SL5 7JX
Ascot on the Map
A Very Royal Racecourse
Founded by Queen Anne in 1711, the racecourse has been in royal ownership continuously since then. Today, Ascot Racecourse is owned by HM Queen Elizabeth II.
