Everything You Need To Know About Royal Ascot

Royal Ascot is one of the most iconic and prestigious horse racing events in the world, attracting thousands of spectators each year. Held at Ascot Racecourse in Berkshire, England, it combines top tier racing with royal flair, making it an unforgettable experience for all who attend. Whether you’re a seasoned racing enthusiast or new to the sport, Royal Ascot offers a unique blend of tradition, style, and excitement.

Royal Ascot attracts the best horses, jockeys, and trainers from around the world, and the event is famous for its competitive fields. Some of the most famous races include the Gold Cup, Queen Anne Stakes, and King’s Stand Stakes.

Ladies in dresses and fascinator hats at the Royal Ascot horse racing event in hospitality drinking Champagne and chatting

Royal Ascot History

Royal Ascot's history dates back to 1711 when it was founded by Queen Anne. The event was born out of her love for racing after she spotted a plot of land near Windsor Castle that she thought would be perfect for a racecourse. The first race meeting was held that year, and since then, it has grown into one of the most prestigious events in the racing calendar. Over the centuries, Royal Ascot has remained closely tied to the British Royal Family and Queen Victoria helped to shape it into the grand occasion it is today. The royal connections and their attendance really adds to making it an iconic blend of sport, style, and tradition.

Guests overlooking the Parade Ring at Royal Ascot from the hospitality area during the event

The must-knows of Royal Ascot

• The event is home to some of the most prestigious races in the world, including the Gold Cup, the Queen Anne Stakes, and the King’s Stand Stakes. These races attract the best horses, jockeys, and trainers from across the globe.
• Royal Ascot is renowned for its fashion and style. Attendees are expected to adhere to a strict dress code, with men donning their best morning suits and women in their finest elegant dresses, often accompanied by extravagant fascinator hats. The fashion aspect adds a sense of occasion, making it a truly stylish event.
• Held over five days in June, Royal Ascot offers a packed schedule of racing, with each day featuring a mix of top-class events. It’s a celebration of the very best in thoroughbred racing.
• Each year, more than 300,000 people attend, making it one of the largest sporting events in the UK and attracts racegoers from all over the world.
• The British Royal Family’s involvement is one of its defining features. Each year, the monarch, and various members of the royal family attend, often arriving in horse-drawn carriages in a grand procession.

The bar area inside the Furlong Restaurant hospitality space at Royal Ascot

Elevating The Glamour: VIP Hospitality Experiences

Village Restaurant

Located in the centre of the track, the Village Restaurant offers a lively experience and inventive dining experience featuring colourful interiors. The private viewing area will be hard to leave with its unrivalled views - the only thing to pull you away might just be the Village Enclosure featuring live music and the four course munch and afternoon tea!

Furlong Restaurant

The Furlong Restaurant is a spacious fine-dining experience, featuring inviting lounge-seating areas and an expansive deck offers exceptional uninterrupted views of the finishing straight. Both grazing and seated menu concepts elevate this relaxed atmosphere along with live cooking from chefs’ stations, all to be enjoyed alongside an impressive selection of Champagne and tipples.

Man and lady smiling whilst sat down at their table at Royal Ascot horse racing event

Gallery Restaurant

Experience dining at the Gallery, a new restaurant offering a more formal but relaxed dining style to share with family, friends and colleagues. Enjoy a private lunch, afternoon tea and a range of delicious drinks from the bar. A private veranda offers seating areas only metres from the track, so you can have clear and elevated views of the Royal Procession and all the action on the Home Straight.

Lawn Club

Situated in a private enclave of the Queen Anne Enclosure, this beautiful marquee offers informal dining in a modern, intimate setting just metres from the track. Enjoy the Royal Meeting and access to the Queens Anne Enclosure facilities, stroll towards the Parade Ring and Winners’ Enclosure to view the horses and soak up the atmosphere as the champions return. You and your guests can dine on a three course buffet, afternoon tea, complemented with a selection of wines and beers.

Don’t miss your opportunity to enjoy the pinnacle of horse-racing with your closest guests and feel like a V-VIP – get your outfits ready and book now!