Though the Christmas tree has barely yet shed needles, and presents are still to be wrapped, a little part of us is already looking forward to the new year, and events of self indulgence and sartorial flair. One such occasion which pays lip service to those traditions in style is a Ladies Day out at the races. We’ve done the hard work, worn the hats, drank the fizz and sometimes backed the wrong horse, to come up with these; our 4 IDEAL ladies days in the South of England in 2020.
BATH
There are few places more beautiful at the peak of summer than the Georgian honeyed stone city of Bath. The sun glistens off the River Avon, Bath Abbey stands proud, and the cobbled streets are alive with activity. In 2020, on the 13th June, Bath Racecourse in Lansdown hosts its annual Ladies Day, and it’s one of the best events of its kind on the calendar. Though there’s no official dress code, getting dolled up is certainly part of the fun. Tickets are already on sale, and with 6’000 attendees each year, it would be wise to book well in advance!
CHELTENHAM
Arriving three months earlier in the year, from the 10th to the 13th March, is Cheltenham Festival. Ladies Day falls on the 11th (day two) of the horse racing extravaganza, and sees the Queen Mother Champion Chase as the pinnacle of proceedings. Outfits with colour and pizzazz are greatly encouraged in the Home of Jump Racing, so make sure your outfit is vibrant and eye catching! Last year’s winner was a 4/11 favourite, springing no surprises, but odds can be found online which are sometimes more favourable, with top freebet offers often yielding better ratios. Check for sign up offers and free bets accordingly.
NEWMARKET
Newmarket’s Moet and Chandon July Festival – next year taking place from the 9th to the 11th – is one of the biggest and brashest racing events on the calendar. The clue’s in the title here; there’s plenty of fizz and frivolity to be enjoyed. There’s a Best Dressed Competition, one of the highlights of Ladies Day here, and a theme within the dedicated Moet and Chandon Party next year of dressing in white with a hint of rosé; we think we can manage that!
ASCOT
The big one. The Royal Ascot racing meet takes place each June, and is one of the key events for sports and fashion loving socialites each calendar year. This year the festival is happening from the 16th to the 20th of June, with Ladies Day falling on Thursday the 18th. The dress code here is stricter than for other racing events, in the words of the official decree; ‘formal daywear when inside the Royal Enclosure…dresses and skirts should be of modest length, falling just above the knee or longer. Tops and dresses should have straps of one inch or greater’.
With the world famous Gold Cup taking place on this day, and UK bookmakers experiencing one of their most lucrative days, there really is no excuse not to go for it here.
