Guards Polo Club season and Cartier Queen's Cup
Guards Polo at Smith's Lawn from Ilford
From Ilford to Guards Polo at Smith's Lawn, door to drop-off. For households in and around Ilford, the pick-up is at home. Its population is put at about 168,000. Ilford station is 3 minutes away by car. On the map the run is 62.5 miles and about an hour and 9 minutes in clear traffic, by way of the M11, M25 and A30. That is 22 minutes longer than the same trip from Mayfair. It is usually held from April to mid-September, with the Cartier Queen's Cup between late May and mid-June; the 2027 dates are not out yet. Originally the Household Brigade Polo Club, renamed in 1969, and fully civilian from 2000. King Charles III became President in early 2024.
How the day runs
Collection is from your front door in Ilford. You travel in an executive saloon for couples and small parties. Leaving Ilford, the car picks up the M11 and keeps to the main roads. For drop-off, the organisers' own rules apply. Enter via Blacknest Gate (sat nav SL5 7SA) and drive about a mile through the park. On ticketed event days cars may drop spectators at a designated cars turning point without a car pass, a short walk from the Clubhouse. All parking is unallocated and needs a car pass. While you are inside, the chauffeur waits nearby and is ready when you are. Back at Ilford about an hour and 11 minutes after leaving the gates, give or take the exit queue.
- Ilford to Guards Polo Club, Smith's Lawn, Windsor Great Park1 hr 9 min, 62.5 miles, in clear traffic
- Guards Polo Club, Smith's Lawn, Windsor Great Park to Ilford1 hr 11 min, 62.8 miles, in clear traffic
Times are for clear roads. Allow longer on event days and at peak hours.
Worth knowing
Originally the Household Brigade Polo Club, renamed in 1969, and fully civilian from 2000. King Charles III became President in early 2024.
Source: guardspoloclub.comEnter via Blacknest Gate (sat nav SL5 7SA) and drive about a mile through the park. On ticketed event days cars may drop spectators at a designated cars turning point without a car pass, a short walk from the Clubhouse. All parking is unallocated and needs a car pass.
Source: guardspoloclub.comSmart casual in all areas. Royal Box: men in collared shirt and tie, lounge suit or jacket/blazer; women in dresses, skirts or tailored trousers. No beachwear or rubber flip-flops.
Source: guardspoloclub.comOpenStreetMap records a population of about 168,168.
Source: openstreetmap.orgIlford is in Greater London.
Source: wikidata.orgThe closest National Rail station to Ilford by road is Ilford (IFD), about 3 minutes' drive.
Source: wikidata.orgAll seating is allocated for the Cartier Queen's Cup Final; there is no access to and from the stands during play.
Source: guardspoloclub.comA car park pass includes space behind the car for a picnic; barbecues are banned anywhere on Smith's Lawn.
Source: guardspoloclub.com
Price this journey
We have started the journey for you. Change either end to the exact address, choosing it from the suggestions, and pick a date and time to see the full price.
Questions
How far is Guards Polo at Smith's Lawn from Ilford?
About an hour and 9 minutes and 62.5 miles in clear traffic, via the M11, M25 and A30; allow longer on the day.
Would the train be quicker?
The station for Guards Polo at Smith's Lawn is Virginia Water or Sunningdale (also Egham). From Ilford, a car goes door to door in about an hour and 9 minutes.
Can guests fly in for the day?
London Heathrow is about 27 minutes from Guards Polo Club, Smith's Lawn, Windsor Great Park by road; an airport collection can be added.
Also worth a look
- Guards Polo at Smith's Lawn by chauffeur
- Guards Polo at Smith's Lawn from Stockbridge
- Guards Polo at Smith's Lawn from Arlesey
- Guards Polo at Smith's Lawn from Sydenham
- Guards Polo at Smith's Lawn from Bexleyheath
- Guards Polo at Smith's Lawn from Burgess Hill
- Guards Polo at Smith's Lawn from Maidstone
- All events
Our undertaking
- 60 min
of waiting after landing on every airport collection, without charge.
- Nothing
is added after the quote unless you ask for more on the day. Airport fees, parking and tolls are in it.
- 24 hrs
before collection, cancel or move the journey at no cost.
- In full
refunded if we ever cancel a journey, however late the notice.