Royal Ascot - The Social Event of the Year at Ascot Racecourse

More Than a Race Meet, It's Like a Command Performance - And Oh Those Ascot Hats

• What: The most social of the UK's very social flat racing events when the Queen comes to watch her thoroughbreds compete.
• When: mid June (June 17-21 in 2008)
• Where: Ascot Race Course in Berkshire, near Windsor
• Admission: From £15 up to several hundred for ticket and hospitality packages. Admission to the Royal Enclosure requires application in advance and a sponsor.
• Website

They've been racing at Ascot for nearly three hundred years. The racecourse was established by Queen Anne in 1711. The Gold Cup, a famous flat race for four-year-olds celebrates its 200th running in 2007. That race is the main event of Ladies' Day, the Thursday of the Royal Ascot racing meet, when fashion and Ascot hats come out in force.