One of the most exhilarating events on the sporting calendars, Royal Ascot will once again see thousands of horse racing fans from across the UK descend on the iconic racecourse in their stylish clothing and colourful hats. With the help from our friends at on demand coach firm Zeelo, we’ve produced a short top tips guide to help you survive your first Ladies Day at Ascot.
Check the dress code
Check the dress code before you go!
Royal Ascot is different to most sporting events and prides itself on quality and tradition. Before making the trip to the racecourse, be sure to check online what Ascot deems as appropriate attire. This will help avoid any nasty shocks on the door! Ladies Day is all about dressing up so be as dashing as possible with your clothing and unique with your hat choice.
Bring a picnic
If you want to embrace the celebratory nature of Royal Ascot then make sure to bring a bottle of bubbly and pack a picnic. Be creative and impress your friends with a home made hamper - it will certainly help make you and your group’s experience at the races more enjoyable. Do check however Ascot’s picnic policy before arriving to the ground as the last thing you want is to have stocked up on bottles of your favourite prosecco and for most of it to be confiscated because you exceeded the allowance!
Don’t forget your umbrella!
The great British weather can still be very unpredictable at times even during the Summer months. Don’t get caught out and make sure to pop a small brolly in your handbag. You don’t want any rain showers to dampen your mood on the day (no pun intended).
Bring flat shoes
Ascot is a day long event so you will want to make sure you feel as comfortable as possible. Bring flat shoes as it’s likely you will be on your feet most of the day watching the action and cheering on your favourite horse. If you’d still prefer to show off your favourite heels, then it’s sensible to bring some flats to wear to and from the racecourse to give your feet some well needed rest.
Purchase a race card
Ascot can be overwhelming for those not used to making regular trips to the races so it’s worth buying a race card on the day. The race card will provide more information on the day’s event and horses which hopefully will help you make more informed betting decisions and back a winner!
Only bet what you can afford!
It’s easy to get carried away at Ascot especially when seeing your friends strike gold and somehow backing the winning horse over and over again. It’s likely that you will be having a flutter throughout the day so be sensible and only bet what you can afford – after all you still want enough money left to get home after the event!
Take plenty of photos
It’s not every day that you get to show off your extravagant hat and smart attire so take plenty of photos and videos during your time at the races. All racegoers can access free wi-fi at the course so do take advantage of this and show your friends and family on social the awesome time you’re having and if lucky your hard-earned winnings!
Plan your travel in advance
Ascot and the nearby train stations can get very congested on race day so don’t leave it until the last minute to organise your travel to the racecourse. Fortunately a number of coach services including Zeelo will be running direct services to the racecourse gates so you can sit back and relax without having to worry about cramped conditions on the train. All coaches include leather seats, tables, free wi-fi and toilets. With Zeelo’s luxury coach service you’ll even get to enjoy a fine selection of breakfast nibbles and champagne on arrival from the onboard host – now that’s a fitting way to start your day in style!
Royal Ascot 2018 takes place between 19th-23rd June. For more info and to book a Zeelo coach direct to Royal Ascot visit: https://zeelo.co/rides/royal-ascot