MAIN Recreation Sports Horse Racing Ascot Week 2018

Situated about 45 minutes from London is an annual display of royal pageantry and high stakes horse racing known as Ascot.

More famously, it's a convenient excuse to dress up, don outrageous hats (especially on Ladies Day) and rub shoulders with the upper crust at one of THE events of the British summer social calendar.

This year, the races and festivities take place at the Ascot Racecourse from Tuesday, June 19th through Saturday, June 23rd. Ladies Day -- with its most famous hat extravaganza -- is scheduled for Thursday, June 21, 2018.

Ascot Week 2018 Television Schedule

As part of a multi-year deal with Ascot h US broadcaster NBC will provide coverage each day from Tuesday to Saturday for a total of 15 hours of programming, covered by NBC Sports Live Extra, the live streaming service for desktops, mobile devices, tablets, and connected TVs.

All races are televised live in the UK on Channel 4 and Racing UK TV, and in Australia on Channel 7.

All about Ascot

The history of the Royal Ascot races date back to the days of Queen Anne, when the first royal Ascot racecourse was laid out by decree for "horses to gallop at a stretch." This first ever royal race took place on Saturday, August 11, 1711 as jockeys vied for The Queen’s Plate - worth a staggering £100!

Today, the royal romp continues as Queen Elizabeth II and her family attend the week-long race each year. Meanwhile, money has skyrocketed into the millions of pounds at a newly revamped Ascot racecourse (in 2006) that made way for new restaurants, bars, and corporate suites.

At the gate, group and priority admission tickets for Ascot Week are on sale in early autumn of the previous year, with general admission tickets open to the public later in November. Tickets go fast for the UK's hottest horse racing event, as do London and Windsor area hotel bookings.

For the lucky few who make it into the Royal Enclosure, Ascot dress and conduct codes are strictly enforced during Ascot Week. These include morning coats and top hats for the gentlemen, and hats and day dresses for the ladies (no bare shoulders or midriffs, please.)

Visitors to London can watch the Royal retinue leave Windsor Castle during the festive week by standing in the Long Walk (access via Park Street) at approximately 1:30 pm each day. Catch a glimpse as the fleet of cars carrying the Royals emerge from the castle to regally join the traffic on the way to Ascot.

Those Spectacular Hats

Despite the royal connections, the gathering is perhaps more known for designer outfits and spectacular hats including rabid UK press coverage of who wore what on Ladies Day.

Also noteworthy are the Ascot "tailgate" picnics in the parking area, which have nothing to do with sandwiches or barbecue - but more likely champagne and lobster consumed from the back of a limo!

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More about Ascot Week around the Web:

On the Web, discover more history and hats, pictures, results & updates on the annual rite of conspicuous hobnobbing, heraldry & horse racing during Ascot Week ....
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Welcome to Ascot Racecourse - The official site of the horse racing track with current news & information, pictures, feature stories, ticket info & complete fixture schedule.

Royal Ascot - Featuring a purported secret route map to the Ascot racecourse, with driving directions to help avoid the traditional traffic jams on race days - plus lots of interesting pictures, history and factoids, weather info and recommended nearby hotels.

Royal Ascot horse racing event photo guide - Take the virtual tour, courtesy of UKStudentLife.com with a full picture gallery of racing action, Ascot fashions, and the royal family in attendance.

Royal Ascot History & Cartoon Fun - Interesting & detailed history of the famous race with a picture of the Gold Cup, facts on the extravagant hats worn on Ladies Day, the Royal Enclosure, and related Royal Ascot customs and traditions.

Royal Ascot Fashion Dos and Don'ts - Hats for the ladies, morning coats for the gentlemen, and no gum chewing, thank you. Plus more on social etiquette observed at Ascot week from this archived report from BBC...