Ascot Tourist Information

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.