Ascot, Berkshire

infobox UK place
country = England
latitude= 51.4084
longitude= -0.6707
official_name= Ascot
unitary_england= Windsor and Maidenhead
lieutenancy_england= Berkshire
region= South East England
population=
constituency_westminster= Windsor
post_town= ASCOT
postcode_district= SL5
postcode_area=SL
dial_code= 01344
os_grid_reference= SU925685
civil_parish= Sunninghill and Ascot

Ascot is a small town within the civil parish of Sunninghill and Ascot, in the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead, Berkshire, England. It is most notable as the location of Ascot Racecourse, home of the prestigious Royal Ascot meeting. The region is split into three distinct areas: Ascot itself, North Ascot (partially in the civil parish of Winkfield) and South Ascot.

Governance

Ascot is part of the district administered by the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead, a unitary authority.

Amenities

Facilities tend to be geared towards the racecourse, although there is sufficient, if limited, shopping available in the wide High Street. Most of the expected facilities one would expect to find in a small town are here, including a supermarket, petrol station and many cafes (including a new Starbucks). Most buildings are post-war with flats above the ground floor retail space. Heatherwood Hospital is at the western edge of the town. Ascot has a station on a bi-section of the railway line from London's Waterloo station to Reading, Bagshot, Aldershot and Guildford, originally built by the London and South Western Railway and now operated by South West Trains. As a consequence of the frequent service on this line, Ascot is now a commuter centre with its residents in both directions (westwards to Reading and eastwards to London).

Local Schools

One of the local schools in the Ascot area is Charters School, which recently achieved a 'Grade 1 Outstanding' from the Schools watchdog OFSTED.Also there is the Licensed Victuallers' School, which is located down the road from Ascot Racecourse, and is a private and independent school

Royal Ascot week

The centrepiece of Ascot's year, Royal Ascot is one of the World's most famous race meetings, steeped in history dating back to 1711. The royal family attend the meeting, arriving each day in a horse drawn carriage. It is a major event in the British social calendar. Although this has placed Ascot onto the British social map, it has many direct effects on the local community, not least of which are the associated traffic problems.

Other

Tittenhurst Park, the former home of former Beatles John Lennon and Ringo Starr is located in Ascot.

External links

* [http://www.ascotvillage.org.uk/ Ascot Village Website]
* [http://www.berkshirehistory.com/villages/ascot.html Royal Berkshire History: Ascot]
* [http://www.ascot.co.uk/ Ascot Racecourse]
* [http://www.royalascot.co.uk/ Royal Ascot]
* [http://www.windsor.gov.uk/maps/ascot.htm Royal Borough of Windsor & Maidenhead: Ascot]
* [http://www.uk-web-index.co.uk/towndetails/Berkshire/Ascot/ Photos of Ascot]