Ascot Walks - Ascot Heath
The East Berkshire town of Ascot is famous for its racecourse and Royal Ascot meeting. There's also some nice walking trails to try in the nearby Bracknell Forest and Windsor Great Park.
This walk from the village visits Ascot Heath and the famous Ascot Racecourse before heading to Swinley Forest in Bracknell Forest.
The walk starts at Ascot Train Station and follows roads east before linking with a bridleway near Sunninghill. You then head north following roads up to Ascot Heath and the racecourse. The course has close associations with the Royal Family, being founded in 1711 by Queen Anne and located about 6 miles from Windsor Castle. Queen Elizabeth II attends Ascot several times a year. At the course you can follow the Three Castles Path west across the course towards Burleigh. The trail then turns south west to visit the Englemere Pond before taking you to Icehouse Hill in Swinley Park. The pond is a good place for flora and fauna with Little grebe and water rail to look out for on the water.
Ascot Ordnance Survey Map 
- view and print off detailed OS map
Ascot Open Street Map 
- view and print off detailed map
Ascot OS Map 
- Mobile GPS OS Map with Location tracking
Ascot Open Street Map 
- Mobile GPS Map with Location tracking
Pubs/Cafes
The Dog and Partridge is a good choice for some post walk refreshments. They have a lovely garden area complete with pergolas and a fountain. It's the perfect place to relax with a meal on a summer day. You can find them at 92 Upper Village Rd, Sunninghill with a postcode of SL5 7AQ for your sat navs.
Dog Walking
The country and woodland trails are ideal for dog walking. The Dog and Partridge pub mentioned above is also dog friendly.
Further Information and Other Local Ideas
To continue your walking around Ascot head east to visit the expansive Windsor Great Park and enjoy a waterside walk around the lovely Virginia Water Lake.
If you follow the Three Castles Path south west through the forest you will come to the lovely Tri Lakes Country Park near Crowthorne. There's some nice waterside trails here and in the nearby Sandhurst Memorial Park and Shepherds Meadow Nature Reserve.
Near the park there's also the National Trust's Finchampstead Ridges where there are fine woodland and heathland trails to enjoy.
Just to the south of the town you can pick up the Bagshot Park Walk. This takes you past the noteworthy royal residence to the pretty Rapley Lake. The Grade II listed house has been country home of Prince Edward and Sophie Wessex since their 1999 wedding.
For more walking ideas in the area see the Berkshire Walks page.
Cycle Routes and Walking Routes Nearby
Photos
Ascot Racecourse. Royal Ascot lasts 5 days and takes place in June each year. The Gold Cup remains the feature race of the third day of Royal Ascot, traditionally the busiest day of the week, when high fashion and fine hats are the order of the day.
Helicopters Landing, Ascot Heath. No doubt the quickest way to get to Ascot Racecourse on race days.
'Ladies Day', Royal Ascot. Photo taken in the car park, which is in the area enclosed by the track, and is where most people have their picnic lunch before the racing starts.
Englemere Pond
Bluebells by the Limes. This ancient avenue of lime trees protects an area of bluebells in Swinley Park.
Windsor Ride, Swinley Park. Looking northwards along Windsor Ride which carries the Three Castles Path through Swinley Park. This section of the track is not shown on the Ordnance Survey 1:25000 map. The area to the right is planted with young pines.