By Harry Nara · Last updated
- Gold Cup dayThursday 17 June 2027
- Where
- Ascot Racecourse
- Tickets
- Ticketed
- Time of year
- June
- Dates
- Around the same dates every year
Five days of racing, Tuesday to Saturday, with the Royal Procession of carriages before the first race each afternoon. The Village Enclosure opens Thursday to Saturday only. Early-booking prices end on Friday 26 February 2027.
We may earn a small commission from bookings made through this link. Prices stay the same for you.
Royal Ascot is five days of flat racing in June at Ascot, west of London, with the Royal Procession of carriages opening each afternoon’s racing. The enclosure you book decides almost everything: the Windsor costs from £30 and has no formal dress code, while the Queen Anne costs from £95 and requires a suit and tie, or a hat and dress with straps. Trains from Waterloo take about 52 minutes, and London’s Oyster and contactless fares do not reach Ascot.
What Royal Ascot actually is
Royal Ascot is Britain’s most valuable race meeting: thirty-five flat races over five days, eight of them at Group 1, the top level of the sport. The Gold Cup, the oldest and most prestigious of them, is on the Thursday.
It is also one of the fixed points of the London summer season, alongside Wimbledon and Henley, and much of the crowd comes as much for the clothes, the picnics and the Royal Procession as for the horses. The procession of carriages down the course opens each afternoon’s racing.
The racecourse sits beside Windsor Great Park in Berkshire, so a day at Royal Ascot is a day out of London rather than an event in it.
Where to watch Royal Ascot
- The Windsor Enclosure. The cheapest way in and the most relaxed, with no formal dress code and picnics allowed under the course’s picnic policy.
- The Queen Anne Enclosure. The main public enclosure, with access to the Grandstand, views of the Parade Ring and the singing round the Bandstand. Its dress code is enforced.
- The Village Enclosure. Thursday to Saturday only, in the centre of the course facing the Grandstand, with street food, bars and an after-party on its stage until 9pm.
- The Royal Enclosure. For members and the guests they sponsor. Members book badges from January.
Tickets and what it costs
The racecourse sells tickets on its own site. This edition starts at £30 in the Windsor Enclosure, £80 in the Village on Thursday and Friday and £85 on Saturday, and £95 in the Queen Anne, with early-booking prices until the end of February.
Hospitality is priced separately, from restaurants to trackside gazebos and private boxes, and car parking costs £45 when booked in advance, more on the day.
Official information and booking: www.ascot.com/royal-ascot
Getting there
South Western Railway runs to Ascot from London Waterloo in about 52 minutes, and from Reading in about 27. The station is a seven-minute walk from the course. Oyster and contactless cards are not valid to or from Ascot, so buy a ticket in advance, and expect queues and ticket checks at the station.
Advance car parking for each day closes about a week before it. Taxis drop off at Car Parks 3 and 6 for every enclosure except the Royal Enclosure.
Mistakes worth avoiding
Tapping in with contactless
London’s pay-as-you-go fares stop short of Ascot. Buy a train ticket in advance, or you will be buying one in the queue.
Assuming only the Royal Enclosure has rules
The Queen Anne requires a full suit, collared shirt and tie for men, and for women a hat or fascinator with a dress or top that has shoulder straps; strapless, off-the-shoulder and sheer are refused. Even the relaxed Windsor turns away fancy dress and branded clothing.
Wearing trainers, denim or shorts
None of them is allowed in any enclosure, whatever else you wear.
Booking the Village for a Tuesday
The Village Enclosure opens only from Thursday to Saturday. Earlier in the week the choice is the Windsor or the Queen Anne.
Other London events
Frequently asked questions
When is Royal Ascot?
Five days in mid-June, from Tuesday to Saturday. The dates are in the card at the top of the page.
How much are Royal Ascot tickets?
From £30 in the Windsor Enclosure, £80 to £85 in the Village Enclosure and £95 in the Queen Anne Enclosure. The Royal Enclosure is for members and their guests.
What is the dress code at Royal Ascot?
It depends on the enclosure. The Windsor has no formal code but asks for smart daywear; the Queen Anne requires suits and ties for men, and hats or fascinators with strapped dresses or matching trouser suits for women. Trainers, denim, leggings and shorts are banned everywhere.
How do you get to Royal Ascot from London?
By South Western Railway from Waterloo, about 52 minutes, then a seven-minute walk. Oyster and contactless do not work to Ascot, so buy a ticket before you travel.
Can you take a picnic to Royal Ascot?
In the Windsor Enclosure, yes, under the racecourse’s picnic policy. Hampers can also be ordered for collection on the day.
Sources
- Ascot Racecourse, Royal Ascot tickets and enclosures
- Ascot Racecourse, Village Enclosure
- Ascot Racecourse, Queen Anne Enclosure dress code
- Ascot Racecourse, Windsor Enclosure dress code
- Ascot Racecourse, travel and parking
- Ascot Racecourse, racing guide
Dates on this page are checked against the organiser’s own listing and confirmed through 2027. Written and maintained by Harry Nara.