Ascot Racecourse is particularly famous for Royal Ascot, which is a series of important races held over five days. The history and heritage of the Racecourse and the Royal Meeting in particular, have made the event a national institution and a highlight of the British summer social calendar.

Royal Ascot was founded by Queen Anne in 1711 and is attended by the Queen and members of the royal family, who arrive each day in a horse-drawn carriage with a royal procession from Windsor castle. The Queen’s Royal Standard is raised at the start of each race day.

The dates for Royal Ascot 2012 are:

• Tuesday 19th June – Royal Ascot featuring The Queen Anne Stakes, The St James’s Palace Stakes and The King’s Stand Stakes
• Wednesday 20th June – Royal Ascot featuring The Prince of Wales’s Stakes
• Thursday 21st June – Royal Ascot featuring The Gold Cup
• Friday 22nd June – Royal Ascot featuring The Coronation Stakes
• Saturday 23rd June – Royal Ascot featuring The Golden Jubilee Stakes

There are seven Group One races and 18 Group races overall.
There are three enclosures at the racecourse from which to view the racing, but the Royal Enclosure has a strict dress code which has been revised for 2012. So, ladies are reminded that formal day wear is required and that a hat should be worn. Dresses and tops should have straps of one inch or thicker, even when covered by a jacket. Fascinators are no longer permitted in the Royal Enclosure – headpieces have to sufficiently cover the head and may not be less than 10cm in surface area.