Savills Portugal

Taking place across five days, Royal Ascot is regarded as one of Britain’s best loved race meetings and certainly among the most prestigious. With 300,000 visitors expected to attend and with last year’s prize money exceeding £13 million, the event is a hot ticket and has a strong international following.

As thousands make their way to see the world’s finest racehorses compete, the locality takes centre stage for the week but for those that know it, Ascot is a celebrated neighbourhood all year round with much to offer. If you’ve ever wondered what life is like in this corner of Berkshire, here’s our take on the town.

Situated 30 miles from London, Ascot’s links to the capital, Heathrow and to the motorway networks of the M3, M4 and M25 mean it’s a popular spot for those wanting easy access to London and beyond, as well as airport routes for international travel.

But beyond its transport connections, Ascot is a place for adventure and escape. Here you’ll find some of the UK’s finest golf courses at Wentworth and Sunningdale, plus Virginia Water’s landscaped lakes and grounds as well as the open spaces of Windsor Great Park and Chobham Common nearby. For those looking to enjoy the great outdoors, it ticks all the boxes.

When it comes to shopping and dining, that’s all covered too. In the town itself, high street stores rub shoulders with independent retailers and whether it’s a relaxed pub lunch, upscale dining or weekend brunch, you’re bound to find what you’re after in Ascot or one of its neighbouring villages. Some of the most popular spots include Coworth Park, Pennyhill Park, Bluebells, The Carpenters Arms and Stovells.

And of course, no guide to Ascot would be complete without mention of the local schools which make it a sought-after family location. The town and surrounds have a range of top performing state and private schools across both primary and secondary level, including Eton, St Mary's Ascot, St George’s and Wellington College.

As far as property is concerned, executive mansions, Victorian cottages, terraced houses and modern flats all form part of the housing landscape. And, given the breadth of choice, it’s perhaps no surprise that the community is diverse, with professional couples, families and downsizers all choosing to call the area home.

However, property in the neighbourhood comes comes with a prime price tag: buyers can expect to pay over £1.2 million for a detached home in Ascot.

So there you have it – Ascot in a nutshell. For one week every June, it’s the setting for one of the most iconic sporting events in the calendar,. but for the rest of the year, it’s as much loved as it is on race day.