Berkshire is famous to be one of the oldest county of England,a land with an ancient history rich of events and also known for its beautiful green countryside,large forests and with several peaceful and relaxing corners in the South East of Great Britain and of course with the chance to visit very interesting places and one of them is Ascot,a historic town linked to the Royal Family and for its famous and famed horse racing.
Located in a splendid natural environment reflecting the image of the most charming old England,Ascot is
crossed by the river Thames,historically this English territory was in the past a place of many battles,wars and disputes.The county has always been a stronghold of the English Monarchy and Ascot has always had a strong links with the British Royal History also due the proximity of the notorious Windsor Castle and for all that Ascot is part of a territory known with the name of Royal County of Berkshire.
Very close to Royal Borough of Windsor and bordered by the County of Surrey,Ascot is a small town of approximately 5,200 inhabitants,just 31,0 km from London via Brentford and Slough.The name Ascot is pretty famous all around the country,a posh place,famous residence of several VIPs.,The Beatles former members,Ringo Starr and John Lennon with Yoko Ono lived in this area,exactly in Tittenhurst Park in a splendid mansion with a huge beautiful garden located in Sunnighill part of the civil Parish of Ascot.
Ascot thanks to its prestigious name was also used as set for some famous movies as A View to a Kill part of the series James Bond with Roger Moore and Grace Jones as protagonists among others.Another famous film directed by George Cukor My Fair Lady with Audrey Hepburn a successful movie of the 60s was filmed in this English town.
Apart those historic cinematographic connections,Ascot is a charming and classy where you can see elegant cottages,stylish Victorian and Edwardian buildings,several splendid gardens and wide green areas.High Street,the core of Ascot has some shops,supermarket,cafes and a small station which connects Ascot to the capital of Berkshire Reading and to London Waterloo Station.
Apart those historic cinematographic connections,Ascot is a charming and classy where you can see elegant cottages,stylish Victorian and Edwardian buildings,several splendid gardens and wide green areas.High Street,the core of Ascot has some shops,supermarket,cafes and a small station which connects Ascot to the capital of Berkshire Reading and to London Waterloo Station.
The town has in its area a couple of agglomerations annexed to its territory called North and South Ascot, Sunnighill and Winkfield which is a district of Bracknell Forest.Furthermore the importance of Ascot is also related to the presence of two important Seniors Schools linked to the prestige of the Royal Crown and Nobility such as St.Mary School which had as student the Princess of Hannover Caroline and St.George School which had among its most prestigious pupils another Princess : Beatrice of York.
The main highlight of Ascot is undoubtedly the legendary Ascot Racecourse founded in 1711 by the Queen Anne.Ascot Racecourse is in its kind a sort of Wembley or the Maracaná for football or a Madison Square Garden for Sport and events.A legendary horse racing temple which has consecrated famed riders champions such as Piggott,O´Brien,Dettori,Cecil and Murtagh among others.
The first competition was celebrated in honour of the Queen with the name Her Majest´s Plate.In that historic and emblematic competition began the glory and the fame of Ascot and its relevant importance in this kind of events linked to its Racecourse complex.That first event had as protagonists only 7 riders with horses of 6 years of age, and the prize for the winner was equivalent to 100 guineas,the monetary unit of that time.
The first competition was celebrated in honour of the Queen with the name Her Majest´s Plate.In that historic and emblematic competition began the glory and the fame of Ascot and its relevant importance in this kind of events linked to its Racecourse complex.That first event had as protagonists only 7 riders with horses of 6 years of age, and the prize for the winner was equivalent to 100 guineas,the monetary unit of that time.
That legendary event was the beginning of a long,prestigious and famous tradition giving Ascot popularity all around the world.Ascot today continues to be a relevant appointment and place for all the most famous riders who wish and desire a triumph in that Olympe of the equestrian world.Many are the prestigious trophies celebrated in that British Hippodrome,such as the Ascot Golden Cup,a competition which is celebrated every year in June in occasion of the Royal Meeting,the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes which takes place every July,authentic classic races well known worldwide.
The Hippodrome apart those popular and prestigious trophies hosts in in total 32 races included in the International Calendar and all the races are part of the Group 1 races competitions.Although the Hippodrome is mainly linked for history and traditions to the Royal Family,the complex is managed by the company Ascot Racecourse LTD which has about 70 permanent workers and during the most important competitions the company call temporary staff for operations of maintenance,public order, cleanness,stewards and hostesses and various services to support the incoming services of the events.
Ascot Racecourse complex is also used occasionally for competitions of jumping in winter,out of the calendar of the most important appointments.The racecourse was born to host races and it continues with its genre linked to its ancient history.An old tradition in Ascot during the Great Royal events and relevant races in the official calendar is to wear appropriate clothes for the occasion.
The classic way to go to Ascot during such relevant and prestigious events are a jacket, tie and top hat for the man while the ladies must wear clothes of the great occasions and hat.Ascot is not the right place to wear slippers,shorts or daubed multicoloured t-shirts,furthermore is absolutely important to receive an invitation.The ceremonial also includes a service of luxury fine dinner with appetisers and classy aperitifs served by the best catering service continuing the noble tradition of the past.
The classic way to go to Ascot during such relevant and prestigious events are a jacket, tie and top hat for the man while the ladies must wear clothes of the great occasions and hat.Ascot is not the right place to wear slippers,shorts or daubed multicoloured t-shirts,furthermore is absolutely important to receive an invitation.The ceremonial also includes a service of luxury fine dinner with appetisers and classy aperitifs served by the best catering service continuing the noble tradition of the past.
The Royal Family continues today to be linked to that very important place,managing the Golf Club next to the Hippodrome and furthermore Ascot also hosts the Army Cadet Force a military unit known with the name 4th Platoon Ascot.
In the area you can find very comfortable accommodations to spend a pleasant stay and enjoying the English countryside,there are many interesting villages around Ascot and London is not very far.It is very easy to reach Ascot,the town is only 18 km from the International London Airport of Heatrow,via Windsor and approximately one hour driving from London by M4 and A40 motorways.
In the area you can find very comfortable accommodations to spend a pleasant stay and enjoying the English countryside,there are many interesting villages around Ascot and London is not very far.It is very easy to reach Ascot,the town is only 18 km from the International London Airport of Heatrow,via Windsor and approximately one hour driving from London by M4 and A40 motorways.
A visit to Ascot if you are in South England or in London for the history,for a visit to the Royal Racecourse and to see the places of legendary movies in a Royal land called Ascot is a great idea to know also a lovely,relaxing and interesting place,undoubetly part of the history of England.
Francesco Mari
Recommended Accommodations in Ascot(in the case want a stay and overnight in this town in alternative to London and using this town as start point of several excursions in Southern England in a sort of tailor made itinerary you can organise with a fly & drive)
Hotel Highclere
Hotel Royal Berkshire
Recommended Restaurants in Ascot
Restaurant Coworth Park
Restaurant Bluebells
Ascot Grill
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