As Visit Britain's Travis Qian suggests, “ Britain has a great sporting heritage, so why not combine your business or leisure travels with one of Britain 's illustrious sporting events?”. From some of the world's top golf and football events to the world famous Wimbledon Tennis tournament to the quintessentially British sports of rugby and cricket the UK offers an excellent array great sporting occasions. See our top 10 sporting events for 2006 for some suggestions.

One of the main sporting attractions that lures wealthy and international elite the UK shores is horse racing. Horse racing became a professional sport during the reign (1702-14) of Queen Anne, when match racing – pitting two horses against each other - gave way to races involving several horses on which the spectators wagered. Racecourses sprang up all over England , offering increasingly large purses to attract the best horses. These purses in turn made breeding and owning horses for racing profitable. Known as the Sport of Kings - horse racing has long been associated with royalty, aristocracy and the wealthy.

A highlight of the British racing year – and the British aristocracy's social calendar - is Royal Ascot. The world's most famous race meeting is steeped in history dating back to 1711. These days action on the track is matched only by the fashions on display, with a colourful array of outfits and particularly hats creating one of the most sophisticated and elegant events in the summer calendar.

Another firm favourite for more than 200 years is Glorious Goodwood. All of society's cognoscenti descend on Goodwood each year to revel in its ravishing setting as well as to marvel at the world's top jockeys, trainers and horses as they battle it out on top of the Sussex Downs. Other UK racing highlights include the Cheltenham Festival and The Grand National.

But if sitting back and watching others in action isn't your idea of a good holiday then take a look at our guides to golfing or whiskey tasting holidays in Britain.