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Luxurious hospitality at Royal Ascot and Wimbledon: how fans can set the pace for 2020
31 October 2019 | Sport
What better way to witness sporting drama than by doing it in style, particularly from a royal enclosure? There are two major events in the British summer calendar that never fail to draw the crowds, but when it comes to getting the best views in the house for next year's festivities one can never book…
What better way to witness sporting drama than by doing it in style, particularly from a royal enclosure? There are two major events in the British summer calendar that never fail to draw the crowds, but when it comes to getting the best views in the house for next year's festivities one can never book too early.
Royal Ascot is widely regarded as the highlight of the British flat horse racing and summer social season. Thoroughbred racehorses competing in front of royalty, including the Queen, and the height of high fashion come together each June at the Berkshire racecourse – a short train ride away from London.
Both ladies and gentlemen must dress to impress over the five-day meeting with certain rules to follow depending upon which enclosure you're in at Ascot. Once you've got an outfit that adheres to Ascot's dress code, the hiring of a private box can allow you and a party of family and friends to have a luxury sports experience like no other.
The racecourse can cater for up to 108 per private box hire. Prices vary throughout the Royal meeting with the Queen Anne Enclosure costing just less than £1,000 per person on three of the five days. Tuesday, Wednesday and Saturday are the cheapest days at Royal Ascot 2020.
Royal Enclosure boxes cost more and on Gold Cup day – Thursday, 18 June – prices are set at £2,073 for each person. There are bespoke, buffet and set menus to choose from with even food and drink.
With 30 races on over five days (six per day). Even if you’re not really into sport, you can get free horse racing tips from Betfair experts ahead of Royal Ascot and other major meetings so you can enjoy a wager or two if you wish to. >>
Following on from Royal Ascot is another sporting highlight of the British summer in Wimbledon. Now played entirely in July, it's the only Grand Slam tennis tournament on grass courts – technically called lawns – and many of the all-time greats have graced SW19 in London.
Getting tickets for Wimbledon involves going through the public ballot held in the autumn of the year prior to The Championships at The All England Club. There is then an application process once you have created and registered an online account.
There's another more luxurious way to enjoy Wimbledon, though, that goes way beyond the traditional strawberries and cream. Hospitality reaches its zenith in one of the Centre Court Skyview Suites gives you the best seats in the house.
Only top tennis pros play their matches on the show court, which now has a retractable roof, so there's no need to worry about the unpredictable British summer weather.
These private suites can seat between 10 and 20 people with a four-course fine dining a la carte menu with canapes, afternoon tea and a range of cocktails and wines. A Wimbledon Skyview costs from £1,650 per person plus VAT.
A slightly cheaper alternative is the Rosewater Pavilion complete with outdoor terrace and private tables seating from two people up to 12. Wimbledon tickets for Centre Court are included in the package, which is £1,495 per person again with VAT to pay on top.