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Lying
just 6 miles from Windsor Castle, the small town of Ascot
was originally called East Cote, meaning 'Eastern Cottage'.
Like
neighbouring Virginia Water and Sunningdale, Ascot is noted
for its magnificent displays of trees and flowering shrubs.
The town
is home to Royal Ascot, arguably the most famous racecourse
in the UK, and often the reason for a visit here.
In 1845
a railway was opened in Ascot to serve the racecourse. Most
commercial development in the town has grown up around the
racecourse. Today there is a frequent rail service between
Waterloo and Reading and residents now commute both directions
to work.
Royal
Ascot racing began at Ascot in 1711, after Queen Ann ordered
the races to be transferred here from Datchet Meads. When
George II came to the throne in 1760 Ascot became the most
important racecourse in England after Epsom.
Continued
royal patronage meant that Ascot increased in popularity and
today it is a major event in the social calendar.
Ascot
stages 25 days of racing each year but the most famous of
these is The Royal Meeting, held in June. During the Royal
Meeting the Royal Family drive along the course at around
2.00 pm in open, horse-drawn carriages to the cheers of the
race-goers.
Gold
Cup day (the third day) is the busiest of the week. On this
day, also known as Ladies Day, all ladies entering the Royal
Enclosure must wear a hat that covers 'the crown of the head'.
In June
2006 Ascot Racecourse reopened after a £200 million redevelopment
programme, the most extensive project of this type in Europe.
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Ascot
