Take 5… Homes with aspirational features
Home offices, large kitchens, and plenty of bedrooms often fall into the ‘must-have’ list for our next homes – but what about the more aspirational features?
Take 5… Homes near racecourses
In the UK, we are fortunate to host several world-famous race meetings, but the crown jewel in the summer social calendar has to be Royal Ascot. As the track comes alive again this week for its annual June meet, we look at how it obtained its status on the racing world stage, as well as some of the country’s other tracks which are well worth a visit.
Royal Ascot is a race steeped in hundreds of years of history. As legend goes, it was Queen Anne who saw the potential for racecourse at East Cote in 1711. While out riding from Windsor to Ascot, she exclaimed it would make ‘a fine place for a race’ and, later that year, the first event was hosted to win Her Majesty’s Plate. Since then, it has received the patronage of eleven other monarchs and has become five-days of thrilling racing. Each day holds a different purpose, the first is always well-attended by dedicated racing fans, where as the third day fashion takes centre stage for Ladies Day.
If you haven’t managed to secure a ticket for Ascot this year, there are plenty of other racecourses dotted round the country to consider each with their own magic. Another one you may well have heard of is Aintree near Liverpool, home of the Grand National steeplechase and the infinite Red Rum, or Chester, which is one of the world’s oldest tracks with the first race recorded in 1539. If you’d rather go further south, the Cotswolds provides a charming setting for the Cheltenham Festival, which is well-attended by thousands of spectators.
If this blog, like us, has left you wanting to attend every meet, we have picked five of our favourite homes with racing on the doorstep for you to consider:
The Fox & The Vixen
40 Huntsman Meadow, Ascot
A stunning contemporary property with detached annexe in a private residential setting, a stone’s throw from Royal Ascot.
Oddington Hill House
Stow on the Wold, Cheltenham
20 miles from Cheltenham racecourse, this substantial 5 bed property is located in an outstanding rural location and has plenty of room for your own horses with stabling and over 19 acres.
Earls Eye House
8 Sandy Lane, Chester
A considerable Victorian residence, Earls Eye House occupies a prime position on the banks of the River Dee and is just 2 miles from Chester racecourse. It is also within an hour’s drive of Aintree.
Bracken House
108 Essex Street, Newbury
Four miles from Newbury racecourse, Bracken House is a handsome property with elegant styling offering over 3,000sq ft of accommodation and fantastic countryside views.
The Fold
North Stainley, Ripon
The Fold is a handsome detached country property with annexe and 2.5 acres, conveniently located 12 mi.
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