Ascot
🏟️ Address: Ascot Racecourse, High Street, Ascot, Berkshire, SL5 7JX, United Kingdom Directions in Google Maps
Located just 40 km west of London in the small town of Ascot, Ascot Racecourse is easily accessible by private or public transport. Driving is a popular way to arrive at the venue with its ample parking facilities and easy access to the M25, M4, and M3. The nearby Ascot Train Station offers public transport links to London and, thus, wider national and international destinations.
Below you can find general information on travel and parking for Ascot Racecourse. Individual events may have additional/restricted services available, and so we recommend clicking through to the event and viewing the Travel & Parking tab for event-specific information.
Ascot Racecourse has over 8,000 car parking spaces in various car parks surrounding the course. Please note that most car parking is in fields and, therefore, surfaces can be uneven. Car parks in use at Ascot racedays include:
During the jump racing season (November to April), all car parking is free and available only on racedays.
During the flat racing season (May to October), prices will vary depending on the raceday. Car parking will be available to purchase online for all racedays up to 5 days before the event. After this, parking is only available on the day and should be paid in cash.
Guests arriving by taxi should be dropped off by Car Park 3 which is a 210 m (3 min) walk across the High Street from the course's main entrance. The racecourse suggests using Minicabit, a company with over 800 taxi firms across the country. It is highly recommended that you book in advance.
Station Hill Coach and Bus Station is just a 230 m (3 min) walk along the High Street and is served by White Bus routes 01, 24, 25, 26, 27, and L8 which travel to Windsor, Ascot, Cranbourne, and Sunningdale. These routes also stop at Heatherwood Hospital stops 450 m (5 min) west along the High Street.
Ascot's status as an upmarket area and its proximity to Greater London means accommodation is pretty pricey — particularly during highly-anticipated horse-racing events. Of course, Ascot delivers exactly what you pay for with ultra-luxe boutique hotels and swanky Airbnbs on its menu.
A wide selection of food and drink is offered across each enclosure. From 4-Michelin star chef Simon Rogan’s Royal Enclosure restaurant to street food set-ups, there's something for everyone with Gluten Free, vegan and vegetarian options. There are a substantial number of bars inside the grandstand and surrounding lawns.
Picnics in a hamper or cool bag/box are permitted in the designated areas on the East Trackside Lawn, the Old Paddock, and the external east end of the grandstand. Informal picnics are permitted in car parks. Barbecues and hot food are not allowed onto racecourse property.
Each adult is permitted to bring 1 bottle of sparkling wine or Champagne to accompany each picnic. No other type of alcoholic drink is permitted into the course and picnics will be searched on entry. Sealed or closed soft drinks are permitted to be brought in with a picnic.
Ascot Racecourse can be reached via South Western Railway from Reading, Guildford, and London Waterloo. Alight at Ascot station, which is 640 m (8 min) walk on spacious paved paths to the racecourse. The journey from London Waterloo takes approximately 1 hour and there are around 42 trains per day. The journey from Reading takes approximately 30 mins and there are around 58 trains per day.
There is a helicopter landing facility near the racecourse. It is not suitable for fixed-wing private aircraft. Call Fresh Air Helicopters on +44 1869 278 244 email ascot@freshair-uk.com to arrange a landing or helicopter charter.
Private Jet Charter by Victor is able to fly directly from anywhere in the world to private airport terminals at Biggin Hill, Farnborough, Luton, Oxford, or Blackbush. From these airports, a designated helicopter will be awaiting your arrival to transfer you to the racecourse.
Ascot Racecourse is just a 700 m (8 min) from the centre of Ascot and 1.6 km (19 min) from the slightly larger Burleigh. Both Ascot and Burleigh have a range of shops, accommodation, eateries, and pubs. There are also several golf courses nearby for those looking to expand their sporting experience!
There are multiple entrances at the venue which correspond to the enclosure access granted by your ticket: these entrances will be clearly signposted at the venue. Bags may be searched upon entrance to the racecourse by security staff.
Toilets are located throughout the racecourse including within each enclosure. Clear signage will be evident throughout the racecourse.
Ascot Racecourse hosts a range of horse racing events throughout the year with National Hunt (jump) racing held from November to April and flat racing held from May to October. Fixtures can be on a single day or they can last for several days, and each raceday will feature about 7 races and a wide range of entertainment, food, and drink off the track. The most famous fixture is the 5-day Royal Ascot celebration. You can see a full list of Ascot Racecourse events here.
Ascot Racecourse ticket prices vary depending on a number of factors including the event, the enclosure the ticket is for, and the seller. For example, tickets for the most premium public enclosure, the King Edward VII Enclosure offering greater access around the course will be more expensive than those for the Queen Anne Enclosure. Similarly, Queen Anne Enclosure tickets may be more expensive on a Royal Ascot raceday than at one of the smaller fixtures. Koobit compares ticket prices from primary and secondary sellers – just click through to an event and then click the Tickets tab for event-specific ticket information.
It is sometimes possible to buy tickets at Ascot Racecourse on the day of the event. However, this is subject to availability on the day and you risk not being able to enter. Buying your ticket online is generally the most reliable and convenient way to secure your tickets and ensure you get the admission you want and know the price upfront.
As it is a large and popular venue, Ascot Racecourse has a wide range of parking options, particularly for Royal Ascot. On National Hunt (jump) racing racedays - which run from November to April - car parking is free and available when you arrive at the course. On flat racing racedays - which run from May to October - prices will vary depending on the event and will be available to buy up to 5 days before the fixture, after which, parking will be subject to availability on the day and should be paid in cash on arrival.
See the Ascot Racecourse travel & parking section above for parking details and other venue travel information including public transport.
As Ascot Racecourse is on the outskirts of Greater London, there are plenty of hotel choices in the surrounding area. See the Ascot Racecourse hotels & accommodation section above to find hotels near Ascot Racecourse. You can also find additional information by clicking through to an event and then clicking the Accommodation and Destination tabs.
Gate opening times at Ascot Racecourse vary by event, but usually open around 1-2 hours before the first race. For some events, you can find the gate opening time on Koobit by viewing the event’s Schedule tab. Timings should also be confirmed on your tickets when you receive them.
Ascot Racecourse has a capacity of approximately 70,000. However, the capacity does differ between events depending on the seating configuration.
High Street, Ascot, Berkshire, SL5 7JX, United Kingdom.
