You’ll be familiar with Royal Ascot, the Royal-infused horse-racing festival taking place over five days each June. There are plenty of historical horse racing events, but even by the lofty standards of the sport, Royal Ascot stands out.

Racing has been held at Ascot Racecourse since all the way back in 1711 when it was founded by Queen Anne, and it has retained its royal connection ever since. Royal Ascot, the weekly horse-racing festival held at the racecourse, has been held yearly since 1911.

Despite its connection with the country’s elite, the event is very much open to the public, and it’s only an hour away from London. Have you got the hint yet? In this feature, we’ll run through all you need to know about attending your first Royal Ascot races.

The Key Details

Your first decision will be to figure out what day you will attend Royal Ascot. The event takes place over five days, from Tuesday – Saturday, each June. This year, Royal Ascot will be held from June 20th – 24th.

If you’re happy to soak up the atmosphere of the festival, then you can get a ticket for any day and be confident that you’ll have a great time. But, if you’re looking to experience the best horse racing, get a ticket for Thursday, otherwise known as Ladies’ Day. This is when the Gold Cup, the festival’s most prestigious race, is held.

Grab Your Friends

Yes, Royal Ascot offers world-class racing, but it’s also a notable social event. In fact, as well as being one of the country’s leading sporting events, it’s also a major part of the British social calendar. It’s a group-friendly event, so why not grab some friends?

Royal Ascot is an excellent opportunity to get dressed up, have fun, and do something a bit different. One word of advice, though: keep your group size manageable. The festival can be very busy, and your trip will become more stressful than it needs to be if you’re trying to keep tabs on a large number of people.

Getting to Royal Ascot From London

Royal Ascot is conveniently located close to London, so you’ll have no problem getting there on your chosen festival day. Trains take around 50 minutes and depart from

London Waterloo. Driving is another option; it takes around an hour, and there’s plenty of parking available, but book ahead to ensure you have a spot.

The Horse Racing

Ascot Festival is a significant event on the horse racing calendar, so it’s recommended that you read up on general horse racing tips before you attend. While even newcomers to the sport can enjoy the festival, you’ll get the most from the experience if you know which horses are racing and use an Ascot free bet offer to back your selection for victory.

In the weeks leading up to the races, plenty of expert tips will be available online, so you can make an informed decision, even if it’s your first time watching horse racing in person.

Key Tips For Visiting Royal Ascot

Royal Ascot is set up to allow visitors to have a good time. Still, it’s worth remembering some handy tips that’ll help make your trip run smoothly from beginning to end.

For instance, having a big, energy-filled breakfast is recommended before you set off to the racecourse. You can buy food inside the venue, but it’s much easier if you’re not battling hunger as soon as you arrive. You’ll also be on your feet a lot, perhaps even all day, so wear comfortable shoes. You’ll want to look good, but not at the cost of your poor feet!