Royal Ascot with kids?
Mar 2nd, 2006, 10:11 AM
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Royal Ascot with kids?
We have a chance to go to the Royal Ascot horseraces in June 2006. I have read the posts on the number of drunks at the event, but would I be completely crazy to bring kids (ages 5 & 7)? Is it enough of a spectacle that they would find it interesting?
Thank you.
Thank you.
Mar 3rd, 2006, 11:22 AM
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Hi
I went to Royal Ascot last year. We had a fab day.
Personally, I wouldn't take my own children at that age. Not because of the drunks (and I didn't spot that many!)or because it is 'unsuitable' but because I think they would get bored and restless. There's a lot of waiting around between races, and the actual races themselves might wear a bit thin after the first one or two. It is also VERY crowded and they might not have that good a view of the horses and races. I'd wait until they were older (but I'd go myself if I could sort out a babysitter!)
I went to Royal Ascot last year. We had a fab day.
Personally, I wouldn't take my own children at that age. Not because of the drunks (and I didn't spot that many!)or because it is 'unsuitable' but because I think they would get bored and restless. There's a lot of waiting around between races, and the actual races themselves might wear a bit thin after the first one or two. It is also VERY crowded and they might not have that good a view of the horses and races. I'd wait until they were older (but I'd go myself if I could sort out a babysitter!)
Mar 3rd, 2006, 10:09 PM
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I wrote the post on booze at Royal Ascot.
The atmosphere in the stands at the last real Royal Ascot (2004) resembled that of an English summer wedding. Towards the end of the afternoon, a significant proportion of mature women were showing signs of excessive familiarity with Veuve Clicquot. Pleasantly - but still noticeably - so, and a source of some amusement to onlookers. There was also the usual scattering of late adolescents who needed (and got) a fair amount of help from friends to prevent them from becoming a nuisance. What was striking about them was that their friends' help worked: you'll find more booze-related unpleasantness in any British city centre any time after the pubs open than at Ascot.
It'd no more occur to me to keep children away from that than from a cricket match, a Sunday lunch party, or our village's annual fund-raising beer festival - all places where children mingling with the squiffy has long been an essential part of the English way of life.
With the greatest respect to Morgana, I think she lives in the North, which last year had a special Royal Ascot Lite of its own: there wasn't a real one in 2005
The real Ascot has an extensive array of things (including funfair rides and the like) to do on the Heath - the bit in the middle of the course that offers very cheap admission. I completely agree with Morgana about the likely dullness of the races themselves. But if you're in the stands, you can get within a couple of yards of the finishing line (most people watch from the greater comfort of where their seats are). Watching the bookies is an extraordinary spectacle, as is - again if you're in the stands - mingling with the oddly-dressed people. And that's apart from the royal procession etc.
There are pockets of Ascot where crowds are a nuisance, and I'd certainly want to keep kids away from these bits. But with a stand ticket (and childrens' are free) you can go anywhere except the Royal Enclosure., and there are huge, empty, expanses all over the Ascot complex. With a bit of detective work (which I'd have thought the kids would love), you can plot out routes that avoid the most crowded bits.
You might find the course's Colts and Fillies Club (free to all under 16s) is worth investigating. Call +44 1344 876 876.
At 5, I was fascinated by Aintree, where the non-racing spectacle's nothing like as bewitching. I'd have been close to knocked out by Ascot.
The atmosphere in the stands at the last real Royal Ascot (2004) resembled that of an English summer wedding. Towards the end of the afternoon, a significant proportion of mature women were showing signs of excessive familiarity with Veuve Clicquot. Pleasantly - but still noticeably - so, and a source of some amusement to onlookers. There was also the usual scattering of late adolescents who needed (and got) a fair amount of help from friends to prevent them from becoming a nuisance. What was striking about them was that their friends' help worked: you'll find more booze-related unpleasantness in any British city centre any time after the pubs open than at Ascot.
It'd no more occur to me to keep children away from that than from a cricket match, a Sunday lunch party, or our village's annual fund-raising beer festival - all places where children mingling with the squiffy has long been an essential part of the English way of life.
With the greatest respect to Morgana, I think she lives in the North, which last year had a special Royal Ascot Lite of its own: there wasn't a real one in 2005
The real Ascot has an extensive array of things (including funfair rides and the like) to do on the Heath - the bit in the middle of the course that offers very cheap admission. I completely agree with Morgana about the likely dullness of the races themselves. But if you're in the stands, you can get within a couple of yards of the finishing line (most people watch from the greater comfort of where their seats are). Watching the bookies is an extraordinary spectacle, as is - again if you're in the stands - mingling with the oddly-dressed people. And that's apart from the royal procession etc.
There are pockets of Ascot where crowds are a nuisance, and I'd certainly want to keep kids away from these bits. But with a stand ticket (and childrens' are free) you can go anywhere except the Royal Enclosure., and there are huge, empty, expanses all over the Ascot complex. With a bit of detective work (which I'd have thought the kids would love), you can plot out routes that avoid the most crowded bits.
You might find the course's Colts and Fillies Club (free to all under 16s) is worth investigating. Call +44 1344 876 876.
At 5, I was fascinated by Aintree, where the non-racing spectacle's nothing like as bewitching. I'd have been close to knocked out by Ascot.
Mar 5th, 2006, 05:56 AM
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Hi, you are qite right CS - I do live in the North and I went to the 'kidding Ascot' (as my husband called it!) last year. Those Yorkshire ladies looked fab in their outfits!
I think a lot of the original poster's question is dependent on their children. My daughter would have loved it, and if she had of got bored she'd always have a book with her! My son would have been bored to tears.........
I think a lot of the original poster's question is dependent on their children. My daughter would have loved it, and if she had of got bored she'd always have a book with her! My son would have been bored to tears.........
Mar 5th, 2006, 11:50 AM
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Royal Ascot is not a place I would take 2 small kids - especially if they're not used to crowds of loud, fast-moving people. You would really have to hang onto them at all times - very easy for them to get confused/lost in the mob - and not something I think they would especially enjoy.
(And to see what's going on you need to be constantly moving, changing postions, maneuvering around people etc. For them to see much they'll need to be on your shoulers.)
We have been several times and loved it. Seen the Queen (her horse lost) and the the Queen mum - a real hoot. But we're used to Belmont on Belmont day, NYC crowds - and aren't young and too short to see anything.
(And to see what's going on you need to be constantly moving, changing postions, maneuvering around people etc. For them to see much they'll need to be on your shoulers.)
We have been several times and loved it. Seen the Queen (her horse lost) and the the Queen mum - a real hoot. But we're used to Belmont on Belmont day, NYC crowds - and aren't young and too short to see anything.
Mar 7th, 2006, 01:10 PM
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I love racing, but I hate the crowds as Royal Ascot - I certainly wouldn't think it would be the best intro for two young children. Having said all of that does anyone actually think Ascot is going to be finished in time? I know it's not Wembley, but it's not looking all that finished to me!
Mar 15th, 2006, 03:33 PM
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Thank you to everyone who responded to my question. We took your comments to heart and decided to postpone our kids first introduction to touts for a few years - maybe until they can bet their college funds. Thank you again for your efforts.
