Experience Special Guided Coach Tours to Windsor and Eton with Anne Bartlett Blue Badge Tour Guide

Ascot Racecourse, Berkshire: 

History:  This internationally famous race course was founded by Queen Anne in 1711.  Queen Anne spent a great deal of time at Windsor Castle. Whilst she was out riding on the edge of Windsor Great Park she came across open heathland near the village of East Cote now called Ascot.  She decided that this area would make a great race course and ordered one to be laid out.  The first race, competing for Her Majesty's Plate and worth £100 guineas took place on Saturday 11th August 1711.  Today the tradition continues and The Queen Anne Stakes is run in memory of the Queen who founded the course nearly 300 years ago. 

The first four day Royal Meeting was held in 1768.  In 2002 in Queen Elizabeth II's Golden Jubilee year a five day meeting was held and has continued as a five day meeting ever since.  

The Queen has guests to stay at Windsor Castle for Ascot week. The Queen and her guests leave the castle each day after lunch in Royal cars.  They transfer to the famous Ascot Landaus, open horsedrawn carriages, at Dukes Lane for the final journey to Ascot.  On arrival the Royal carriage procession slowly wends its way round the racecourse for all to see, before The Queen and her party make their way to the Royal box for the afternoon's events.

The Thursday of Royal Week is Gold Cup Day otherwise known as Ladies Day when the visiting ladies wear their most fashionable outfits and most striking and glamorous hats.  As well as a great sporting occasion it is also a famous social occasion.

To visit Ascot, Royal Windsor and Eton from Gloucestershire and The Cotswolds contact:
anne@tourandexplore.com