Hot Air Balloon Dining Is Coming To Royal Ascot

With an abundance of pop-up restaurants and bars dotted around the event, there are always endless options when it comes to dining at Royal Ascot. But there’s an especially exciting new culinary experience on offer for 2025: visitors will have the chance to enjoy a meal in an ultra-Instgrammable hot air balloon, created by Surrey hotel Beaverbrook in collaboration with luxury table dressers Summerill & Bishop.

Beaverbrook’s Hot Air Balloons Are Popping Up At Royal Ascot 2025

After proving a hit at the hotel for a couple of years now, Beaverbrook’s hot air balloons will be popping up trackside at Royal Ascot, which returns from 17 – 21 June 2025. Located in the Lavender Courtyard, the six balloons will feature the signature pink and red striped design, alongside wicker baskets where diners can sit and eat while soaking up views of the racecourse.

Guests will be able to book brunch, lunch or afternoon tea in the hot air balloons, with the menus created by chefs Tom Shepherd and Benoit Blin. Shepherd is in charge of the brunch and lunch offering, which includes dishes like lobster crumpets, and smoked salmon with potato terrine and cream cheese. Blin, meanwhile, is making his Ascot debut with an elegant afternoon tea offering.

Jonathan Parker, Managing Director 1711 by Ascot, said: ‘It will be fantastic to have Beaverbrook in the Royal Enclosure Gardens this year. We are always trying to innovate and improve the offering across the venue and the Beaverbrook balloons will provide something new and exciting. The food offering from Tom and Benoit sounds amazing and I’m sure racegoers will enjoy the unique setting, perfectly placed to enjoy the world-class racing.’

Hot air balloons have popped up in the sprawling grounds of Beaverbrook for two summers now. Last year, guests were invited to enjoy Japanese fare, Moet & Chandon champagne and summer cocktails from the hotel’s Martini Pram, plus book special overnight packages complete with sunset balloon dining.

Founded by Queen Anne in 1711, Royal Ascot is one of the world’s most famous racecourses, offering five days of racing, fashion, dining and pageantry every summer.

BOOK IT

Seating times are as follows:

• Brunch: 10.45am –12.45pm
• Lunch: 1.15pm – 3.15pm
• Afternoon Tea: 3.45pm – 5.45pm

Brunch and lunch are priced at £250 per person, with afternoon tea priced at £225 per person. Sittings are for two hours, for six people per balloon, with dedicated waiting staff providing a champagne and drinks service direct to the baskets. ascot.com