Lately, however, there have been efforts to make the game more accessible to a wider audience. Celebrity interest in polo and the activities of the younger members of the Royal Family have increased the buzz surrounding this very British sport.

The HAM Polo Club, also known as the London Polo Club, welcomes spectators to their Sunday afternoon matches. There is a small charge for admission to their polo grounds, and you are encouraged to bring a picnic and make a day of it.

The club also offers polo instruction for those interested in learning about the sport and how it works, and on Saturdays they offer instructional “chukkas”, which are short periods of game time.

For those wishing to actually play polo, the Ascot Polo Club is the best place to start. Located on 120 acres, it is the largest polo training academy in the world.

More than 2,500 people learn to play polo here each year. The Ascot Polo Club is also home to the International Women's Polo Association and takes a special interest in encouraging women to learn about and participate in the sport.

The half-day Discover Polo classes at the Ascot Polo Club are fantastic; two hours of group instruction on the rules of the game, the swing, and tips for game play is followed by a series of chukkas where you can put your new skills to the test. The lessons are tailored to your experience level, so even if you have never ridden a horse before, you can learn to play.

Polo grounds in London are a great place to experience this much beloved and ancient sport first hand.

Ascot Park Polo Club and Academy

Address: Windlesham Road, GU24 8SN

Telephone: 01276 858545

Photo courtesy: blueskyman123

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