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Royal Ascot 2027: hotels and country houses near the racecourse
At two o'clock the royal family arrives in open carriages, and the stands rise to their feet. Royal Ascot is five days of hats, horses and tradition. These are the hotels that keep you close to the racing and off the train home.
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Royal Ascot is the great race meeting at Ascot Racecourse in Berkshire, west of London. In 2027 it runs from Tuesday 15 June to Saturday 19 June, with the Gold Cup on the Thursday.
Hotels near the course fill long before the meeting. We have picked five places to stay, from country houses by the course to hotels in Windsor. Last checked 30 October 2026.
In short: where to stay for Royal Ascot
The best hotel for Royal Ascot is Coworth Park, ten minutes from the racecourse by car. Pennyhill Park and Great Fosters are also a short drive away. For a town with restaurants and trains to London, Windsor is the best choice, with the Sir Christopher Wren Hotel by the river. Book early, as June week fills first.
Our first choice: Coworth Park, for its closeness to the course and the horses in the grounds.
Book your stay: Check availability and prices at Coworth Park
Top picks
Closest to the course: Coworth Park
For a spa after the racing: Pennyhill Park
Between the course and Heathrow: Great Fosters
By the river in Windsor: Sir Christopher Wren Hotel
In the centre of Windsor: Macdonald Windsor Hotel
How Royal Ascot works
The enclosures
The stands are divided into enclosures, each with its own dress code. The Royal Enclosure requires sponsorship from an existing member. The Queen Anne Enclosure and the Village Enclosure are open to anyone with a ticket, and the Windsor Enclosure is the most relaxed.
The dress code
In the Royal Enclosure men wear morning dress and a top hat, and women wear a hat. In the Queen Anne Enclosure men wear a suit and tie, and women a hat or headpiece. The rules are detailed, so read them on ascot.com before you pack.
The royal family and the racing
Each day at two o'clock the royal family drives onto the course in open carriages. The Gold Cup on the Thursday is the best-known race. Thursday is also Ladies' Day, when the hats are at their most numerous and their biggest.
The country houses near the course
Coworth Park
Coworth Park belongs to the Dorchester Collection and is ten minutes from the racecourse by car. The grounds have their own stables and polo field, so you are among horses before you reach the races.
The hotel has three restaurants, a spa and an indoor pool. Good for staying closest to the course and having a quiet dinner after the racing.
Book your stay: Check availability and prices at Coworth Park
Pennyhill Park
Pennyhill is in Surrey, a short drive south of Ascot. Its spa is among the largest hotel spas in England, with pools both indoors and out.
After a day in heels on the grass, the spa is a fine place to end up. Good for turning Royal Ascot into a longer weekend.
Book your stay: Check availability and prices at Pennyhill Park
Great Fosters
Great Fosters is in Egham, between Ascot and Heathrow. The 16th-century house was a royal hunting lodge, and the garden is ringed by a moat.
It is a short trip both to the airport and to the course. A good choice when you land in London and want to head straight for the country.
Book your stay: Check availability and prices at Great Fosters
Horses in the grounds
Coworth Park has its own stables and polo field, ten minutes from the racecourse. Photo: Hotels.com (Expedia Group)
Windsor: town, castle and trains
Windsor is a short drive from Ascot, with restaurants, pubs and the castle in the middle of town. Trains run from here to London, and you take a taxi to the course.
Sir Christopher Wren Hotel
The hotel is by the Thames in Windsor, with a restaurant, bar, terrace and garden. Windsor Castle is within walking distance, and the breakfast wins a lot of praise.
Good if you want to eat out in Windsor after the racing, and walk by the river the next morning.
Book your stay: Check availability and prices at Sir Christopher Wren Hotel
Macdonald Windsor Hotel
The Macdonald is in the centre of Windsor, ten minutes' walk from Windsor Castle and the Thames. It has a restaurant, and Ascot Racecourse is a short drive away.
Good if you want to stay in the middle of town with the restaurants on your doorstep.
Book your stay: Check availability and prices at Macdonald Windsor Hotel
Before you book
Book early: Hotels around Ascot and Windsor fill long before the meeting. Choose free cancellation while plans are uncertain.
Take the train from Waterloo: Trains run from Waterloo to Ascot, and the station is a short walk from the course. Expect busy trains after the last race.
Arrange transport in advance: If you stay at a country house, arrange a pickup with the hotel or book a taxi before you go.
Read the dress code: The rules are enforced at the gate. Check them on ascot.com for the enclosure you have tickets for.
More country houses near London
For a weekend in the country without the hats and horses, there are more places among our castle hotels near London. Landing at Heathrow? Our Heathrow and Gatwick airport hotels make a practical first stop.
Editor's pick
Coworth Park
Coworth Park is the place for Royal Ascot when you want to stay closest to the racing. The racecourse is ten minutes away by car, and the grounds have their own stables and polo field. After a day in the stands there is a spa, an indoor pool and three restaurants. Next morning, take breakfast slowly before dressing for another day at the races.
Frequently asked questions about where to stay for Royal Ascot
When is Royal Ascot 2027?
Royal Ascot 2027 runs from Tuesday 15 June to Saturday 19 June at Ascot Racecourse in Berkshire. The Gold Cup and Ladies' Day are on Thursday 17 June. The royal family drives onto the course by carriage every day at two o'clock. Check the programme and tickets on ascot.com before booking a hotel.
Where should I stay for Royal Ascot?
Stay at a country house near the course or in Windsor. Coworth Park is ten minutes from the course by car, and Pennyhill Park and Great Fosters are also a short drive away. Windsor has restaurants, a castle and trains to London. If you stay in London, trains run from Waterloo to Ascot.
What is the dress code at Royal Ascot?
It depends on the enclosure. In the Royal Enclosure men wear morning dress and a top hat, and women wear a hat. In the Queen Anne Enclosure men wear a suit and tie and women a hat or headpiece. The Windsor Enclosure is the most relaxed. Read the full rules on ascot.com before you pack.
How do you get to Ascot from London?
Trains run from London Waterloo to Ascot, and from the station it is a short walk to the course. From Windsor a taxi is simplest. If you drive, book parking in advance and expect queues after the last race. Check the timetable before you go, as the trains get busy.
Can you stay in London and go to Royal Ascot?
Yes. Many people take the train from Waterloo in the morning and back in the evening. It saves on a hotel, but the train gets packed after the last race. To skip the rush and enjoy dinner afterwards, a hotel in Windsor or a country house near the course is the better choice.