45km (28 miles) W of London

While following the royal buckhounds through Windsor Forest, Queen Anne decided to have a racecourse on Ascot Heath. The first race meeting at Ascot, which is directly south of Windsor at the southern end of Windsor Great Park, was held in 1711. Since then, the Ascot Racecourse has been a symbol of high society, as pictures of the royal family enjoying the races there, including the queen and Prince Philip, have been flashed around the world. Ladies: Be sure to wear a hat.