A Day at Royal Ascot – A Bucket List Experience from a Kentucky Horse Lover

As lifelong horse lovers from Kentucky, home of the Kentucky Derby, we’ve always dreamed of attending Royal Ascot, one of the most prestigious horse racing events in the world. When we realized our June trip to London and Edinburgh aligned with the race week, we knew we had to go. Horse racing meets royal watching? Heaven.

And truly, Royal Ascot is the Kentucky Derby meets Downton Abbey, a perfect mix of sport, pageantry, and old-world elegance.

What Is Royal Ascot?

Ascot Racecourse was founded by Queen Anne in 1711 and has since been associated with British royalty and high society. The official “Royal Ascot week” began in 1911, and many of the race names reflect the royal connection – Queen Anne Stakes, Prince of Wales’s Stakes, Diamond Jubilee Stakes, and more.

The Royal Enclosure, now the most exclusive area of the racecourse, dates back to 1807, when it was created to host King George III’s family and household. By the mid-1800s, after a visit from Nicholas I of Russia raised concerns about security and order, the area was physically enclosed and it has remained a regal, invitation-only section ever since.

For visitors used to American racing, Royal Ascot is something else entirely. In the U.S., horse racing tends to center around marquee events like the Kentucky Derby, with a more casual, betting-focused crowd. British racing, by contrast, especially at Ascot, is wrapped in tradition, etiquette, and social prestige. From the top hats and morning suits to the Royal Procession itself, it’s as much about ceremony as competition. And the racing itself is different, too. It is run on turf, not dirt, and the track isn’t flat or oval like most U.S. courses. At Ascot, some races finish up a long, punishing uphill straight, while others twist through sweeping turns or run along a winding mile-and-a-half course with no two races looking quite the same. And yes, the horses run clockwise, not counterclockwise.

When Does Royal Ascot Take Place?

Royal Ascot typically runs from Tuesday to Saturday in mid-June. In 2025, the final day wrapped up on June 21st. Each day begins with gates opening around 10:30 AM, followed by a Royal Procession at 2:00 PM and the first race at 2:30 PM. Seven races run daily, ending around 6:10 PM.

Ticket prices start at £37 (about $50 USD) for the Windsor Enclosure, with hospitality packages in areas like The Vista running upwards of £2,200 per person. Honestly, for the sheer atmosphere, it’s a deal, especially if you’ve ever priced seats at the Kentucky Derby!

Planning for Royal Ascot

The dress code at Royal Ascot is famously strict and gloriously fun. It varies by enclosure, with the Royal Enclosure being the most formal:

Women must wear formal daywear: dresses or skirts just above the knee or longer, with straps at least one inch wide. Hats or headpieces with a solid base of at least 4 inches are required.
Men must wear morning dress: black, grey, or navy, with a waistcoat, tie (no cravats), top hat, and black shoes.

I purchased our Queen Anne Enclosure tickets ahead of time on the official Ascot website (which I highly recommend. The enclosures sell out early! You’ll also want to grab any add-on amenities early as well). The Queen Anne area also has a dress code, though slightly more relaxed than the Royal Enclosure.

I won’t lie . . . I love the English emphasis on etiquette, decorum, and manners just a bit, and Royal Ascot embraces it all with pride. Word is, the dress code hasn’t changed much in 200 years!

Travel Tip: My daughter and I brought our own Kentucky Derby fascinators created from a local shop back home. We packed them in oversized Ziplock bags with handles, and airline attendants were kind enough to hang them in the coat closet.

Getting There

We took a late morning train from London to Ascot, which was fast, clean (think more European rail than American subway), and incredibly well-organized. It’s like arriving at Disney World for grown-ups in hats.

From Mayfair, we had two main routes:

Via Paddington: Elizabeth Line from Bond Street to Paddington (7 min), then transfer to a train to Ascot via Reading (~1 hour total).
Via Waterloo Station: Direct train to Ascot (~55 minutes).

Helpful Tips:

Book advance train tickets for lower fares (£12–£14 one-way).
Consider a Network Railcard for a third off regular prices.
Arrive 15–20 minutes early—stations are busy, especially during Royal Ascot week, but we found getting there ahead ensured we had a seat.

Best Tips for Enjoying the Day

Pack Comfy Shoes
Inside the gates, we bought charming foldable ballet flats in a small pouch, labeled “Royal Ascot,” no less! They saved our feet and have since made it into my go-to Derby Week bag.

Stake Out a Home Base
In the Queen Anne Enclosure, we found a table near the paddock, food stalls, drinks, bathrooms, and betting windows. It also gave us a great view of people coming and going from the Royal Enclosure escalators. It’s prime people-watching, you all!

Don’t Miss the Royal Procession
Around 2:00 PM, the British Royal Family arrives in horse-drawn carriages. While we were hoping for William and Kate, we saw Princess Anne, Prince Edward, and Sophie (whom I adore!). It truly felt like stepping into a historical novel.

Food & Drink at Royal Ascot

Food and drink are an event in themselves and navigating it well adds so much to the ease of the day.

Our Experience
We camped out near a bar serving full bottles of chilled champagne in portable ice bags. Our drink of the day! We also befriended some lovely English ladies who introduced us to Pimm’s, which quickly became our “second drink” of choice.

Dining Options

Fine Dining & Hospitality
Available with pre-booked packages (book early!). Includes multi-course meals, champagne, and private seating areas.
Casual Food Stalls
Scattered around the enclosures, offering gourmet burgers, fish & chips, seafood, sandwiches, and more. All choices are fast food, but were as delicious as a great restaurant.
Paddock Food Court
Central location, great variety, and faster queues, perfect for grabbing a quick bite between races.

Drinks

Bars Are Everywhere
Champagne and Pimm’s reign, but you’ll also find beer, gin carts, prosecco pop-ups, and soft drinks. The official drink this year was the Ascot Spritz. Here’s how to make this beautiful violet Schweppes cocktail!
Reusable Cups
Drinks are served in branded cups which are fun souvenirs.
Timing is Everything
Skip long lines by grabbing food or drinks just after a race ends or before the Royal Procession.

Insider Tip: While outside food isn’t allowed, we slipped a granola bar or two in our bags, just in case. Let me tell you . . . they came in handy!

What to Expect During the Day

Here’s a general outline of how the day unfolds:

Gates Open: Around 10:30 AM. Arrive early to find your way, snap photos, and secure a good spot.
Lunch & Drinks: From noon to 1:30 PM is the sweet spot before the royal arrivals.
Royal Procession: At 2:00 PM sharp, carriages roll past the grandstands to cheers and waving flags.
Racing Begins: First race at 2:30 PM, with six to seven races throughout the afternoon.
Fashion Watching: A major part of the experience. Dress to impress—and enjoy admiring others!
Betting Fun: Bet a little, bet a lot—it adds extra thrill to every race. Bookmakers and kiosks are plentiful.
Parade Ring Viewing: Check the paddock before each race to see the horses and jockeys up close.
End of Day: Races end around 6:00–6:30 PM. Stick around for singalongs around the bandstand, a fun Ascot tradition.

We stayed until the end and participated in the traditional sing along with the crowd around the bandstand. See the fun on this Youtube Video Sing Along. We then caught the train back to London with all of our new friends for a late patio dinner . . .exhausted, but still giddy from the day.

Why Every Horse Racing Fan Should Go

Whether you love fashion, racing, royalty, or just a truly unforgettable cultural experience, Royal Ascot delivers. It’s more than just a horse race. It’s a living piece of British tradition that manages to feel both grand and joyful.

Coming from Kentucky horse country, it felt like a once-in-a-lifetime meeting of worlds and if we get the chance, we’d go again in a heartbeat.

Bonus for U.S. Racing Fans: Several Royal Ascot races serve as official “Win and You’re In” qualifiers for the Breeders’ Cup World Championships. That means some of the horses you see winning here may go on to race in the U.S., often at Keeneland, Del Mar, or Santa Anita. It’s exciting to realize you might be watching international champions on their road to American turf!

Find out what we did the rest of our time in the UK with this Ten Day Itinerary Through London & Edinburgh!

If you loved this getaway, browse more travel destinations here.