Ladies Day at Royal Ascot... tickets and info?

Question

My sisters and I would like to go to this years Royal Ascot, on Ladies Day. However, looking at the website, the tickets seem a little confusing. Is it best to buy either general admission, or silver ring tickets? Or does one have to buy both? (Yes, I'd love to be able to afford the 'full package, but I have to save the pennies for the actual betting!) If anybody has been before, I'd like your response.

We will be taking a picnic if this helps your answer.

thanks in advance x*x

Answer 1

I can understand your confusion.

Last year be brought General Admission tickets which basically give you access to the parade ring and the grandstand.

The Silver Ring tickets are cheaper but you won't see the horses parading.  

We went with a group and got split up last year, half of the girls never found the general admission entrance and ended up in the Silver Ring all day.  They said the atmosphere was fantastic and thoroughly enjoyed it.

My friend and I found our way into the General Admission entrance eventually and found it very very packed.  We squeezed our way into the Grandstand viewing area to watch the first race but couldn't see a thing as there were so many people there, when we tried to turn round to get out we were stuck in a sea of people and it took us 15 minutes to get back to the lawned area, where we stayed for most of the day watching the racing on a TV screen in the Betting Hall!!

The toilet facilities were absolutely abismal and ladies decked up in beautiful outfits were jumping the long queues and diving into the 'Mens'.

Last year the weather on Ladies Day was very very wet in fact it absolutely tipped it down, and we saw some lovely outfits ruined (including ours). Our feet were wet as we all had sandals on and our hats were ruined.  Lucky we hired them.

If you just want to have a lovely day out I would suggest you take your picnic.  Put your bets on with a local bookie before you go, as its very difficult to get near to put on a bet, and but yourself the cheapest ticket you can.  You will get all the atmosphere and enjoy the day without getting crushed in the crowd.

Set out nice and early as the traffic around the course gets very jammed up and it could take you an hour to get into the course from only 1 mile away.

This year my friends and I will be watching on TV with a nice bottle (or 2) of bubbly and getting the best seats in the house.  We can see all the fashions and most importantly see the horses and the racing, because for me that's what its all about.

For me my experience was expensive and disappointing, but everyone should experience Ladies Day at least once and you will either love it or hate it.  

Enjoy and experience. (and take some wellys) xx

Answer 2

yes take a picnic !!! and bar b que if you have one !!

it sounds like your going to drive on to the course thats what we did .

i have not looked at the web site but we bought GRANDSTAND tickets were we had a good view they were £50 each we parked in the middle of the course and after the racing returned to our cars , marqee , barb ,q and buffet the atmosphere after the racing is just as good as the racing itself .

i also recomend the singing around the bandstand especially if you have won and had a glass of champagne or two !!

goodluck .