There are few sporting venues that can match the rich heritage and history of Ascot
Racecourse. Since the first meeting on Saturday 11 August 1711, Royal Ascot has established itself as a centrepiece of the British social calendar and the ultimate stage for the best racehorses in the world. The racecourse was laid out by William Lowen. The first permanent building was erected in about 1794 by George Slingsby, a Windsor builder. It held 1,650 people and was used until 1838. Ascot Racecourse closed in September 2004 for a major redevelopment: the largest of its type in Europe. The new grandstand at Ascot Racecourse (pictured) is something truly spectacular, taking the sporting complex to a whole new level and making for the ultimate racing experience.The official opening of the new grandstand took place on Tuesday 20th June 2006, the first day of the Royal Meeting, with an opening speech from Her Majesty, The Queen. The redevelopment came in on time and on budget.

We will start with a short walk along the High Street, past the old fire station, now a funeral parlour, and turn down Course Road into Edwardian Ascot. After a brief glimpse of the new grandstand, we will take the tunnel under the railway at Ascot Station. Our walk passes through a modern industrial estate to some enclosed footpaths and over footbridges in South Ascot. We will walk along the along unmade-up Coombe Lane, past Tom Green’s picnic area to the parkland of the Tetworth Hall area. We will see the magnificent gates to the old course, and the mighty pillars that are rumoured to have carried cables, stopping the
enemy landing on the course in the 2nd World War. Crossing the ‘hallowed turf’ itself, we will get a first real glimpse of the iconic, new, pearl of the stand, finished in 2007. The heath, Three Castles' Path and heliport to the Burleigh estates of Ascot, provide a fascinating contrast between old and new housing development on our return to the starting point.