10 Best British Racecourses: Where to Stay, Eat & Watch the Racing

There are some wonderfully varied British racecourses that the discerning traveller can visit on any trip to the UK, and also take the opportunity to stay in some terrific hotels that all have a unique charm.

Here we take a look at my top 10 tracks to visit, with ideas of where to stay and dine during your stay (based on personal experience and recommendations) and details of fixtures/costs/dress codes and more.

1. Cheltenham

Cheltenham is the best jumping track in the UK, with the festival in March attracting hundreds of thousands of spectators on an annual pilgrimage over the four days. The track is located in the heart of the Cotswolds, and it is a fantastic area to visit, with numerous “chocolate box” villages close by and a large number of top class hotels and restaurants.

Where to stay… Cowley Manor Located around 15 mins from the course (and you miss the worst of the raceday traffic coming down the hill), this fantastic old Manor House is now a top class modern hotel with a great restaurant, spa and pool. I am biased as had a brilliant 30th birthday here with friends and family, but it really is a terrific venue to go racing from (and explore the rest of the Cotswolds). cowleymanorexperimental.com

Where to eat… Lumiere Modern British cooking with a long standing reputation (and one Michelin Star). Well worth booking up well in advance as it is extremely popular, and the ideal after the races restaurant (if you have had a good winning day!). lumiererestaurant.co.uk

What to wear… Tweed is very much the order of the day…think smart casual country wear and something waterproof and warm for all the winter fixtures.

RATING 9/10…the best jump racing course in the country with a fantastic view of the action in a natural anmpitheatre in the heart of the beautiful Cotswolds (and huge knowledgable crowds meaning the atmosphere is always electric at all meetings not just the four day festival in March).

2. Ascot

Royal Ascot is five days of top-class flat racing with royal procession, fashion, and Group 1 highlights (e.g., Queen Anne Stakes, Prince of Wales’s Stakes, Gold Cup, Commonwealth Cup, etc.). Gates typically open ~10:30am. Tickets from £25; hospitality and enclosures have individual rules, though much cheaper areas are available at the Royal meeting on the inside of the track.

Where to stay… Fairmount Windsor Park 5-star, very grand Country house hotel that gets superb reviews for its modern facilities. The location in Egham is around 15 mins in a cab from Ascot races, and is a brilliant place to stay away from the hoardes of crowds who descend on the relatively small High St around the track. fairmont-windsorpark.com

Where to eat… Woven by Adam Smith An up-and-coming young chef with a rapidly growing reputation, Woven in Ascot was awarded a Michelin star early on in 2023 soon after opening. Food is Modern British, there is a smart dress code and booking well in advance is essential particularly on racedays. dorchestercollection.com

What to wear… The Royal meeting has a strict dress code depending on which enclosure you are in (full morning suit/top hat and tails in the Royal meeting), but usually a smart suit/tie or dress is fine for the summer meetings….fashion is a big part of the Ascot experience.

RATING 8/10….brilliant “new” giant grandstand has improved the Ascot experience dramatically (with dozens of bars and eating options to cater for everyone)…some find the Royal meeting overcrowded and expensive, but the summer Saturday meetings (top class and valuable racing) are a great experience in glorious weather. Tip…stay behind for the bandstand after racing every evening during Royal Ascot, brilliant atmosphere with live music, singing and revelry (and lets the traffic clear!)

3. Chester

A unique track inside the Roman walls of the town, with the runners constantly on the turn round the circular course. This is an extremely popular track that is often “sold out” well in advance so you need to plan ahead. Here are some of their summer fixtures that take place on these dates approximately every year.

Booking & More

• Tickets, hospitality, and full calendar: chester-races.com/whats-on
• Early booking is recommended for the May Festival and popular social days.

Where to stay… Hotel Indigo Brilliantly located (you can walk down the hill to the track in five minutes), and top class hotel that does an excellent breakfast. Great for shopping and going out locally in the evening, and the bar in the evening is always lively (particularly on racedays when the town has an electric atmosphere). A great alternative to the world famous Grosvenor hotel (that is sadly shutting down in September 2026 after over 130 years). chester.hotelindigo.com

Where to eat… The Jolly Gardener A brilliantly restored neighbourhood pub in the nearby village of Boughton, this is a great after-racing venue away from the typically packed out local chains in the town itself. The food is mainly high quality meats cooked on the charcoal grill that is the centrepiece of this upmarket and popular gastropub (book in advance on race-days). jollygardenerschester.co.uk

What to wear… Smart suits and dresses in members, smart casual fine in the other enclosures. More informal than Ascot and York, but still a very glamourous feel (the three day May meeting in particular is worth a visit for top class Group racing).

RATING 7/10….fantastic viewing track with the runners always on the turn, though a lot of the racegoers are there to drink and party (huge crowds for their Summer Saturdays have become common and there are mixed reviews about the experience and expense).

4. York

A top class track that has a fantastic atmosphere at every meeting and has spent many millions updating the facilities in the last few years. A terrific place to go racing, with York itself a stunning city to explore history, go shopping and dine in some top class restaurants during your stay.

Where to stay… Malmaison York A modern hotel, part of a terrific chain, that can always be relied open for smart, modern and clean rooms and facilities. The York hotel is in a great location in the city, with easy access to all the excellent local shopping and dining. Very popular during racedays, so a good idea to book well in advance. malmaison.com

Where to eat… Star Inn the City A terrific modern British Brasserie in a beautiful riverside location, that serves cracking food (lunch and dinner, with breakfast on Friday and Saturday). Informal but smart and very popular with locals and visitors alike. starinnthecity.co.uk

What to wear… Jacket and a tie for the gents in the members enclosure, smart dresses for ladies, more relaxed and less stuffy particularly for the midweek meetings

RATING 9/10…a brilliantly run racecourse that puts on top class, competitive racing in front of huge crowds. York gets extra credit for pricing drinks and food at the track very fairly (dramatically cheaper than Ascot or Chester), and has spent millions on improvements to all the viewing areas in the last ten years. The “Ascot of the north” deserves its reputation as one of the best run tracks in the whole of the country.

5. Hexham

A journey to the north but one well worth making, with knowledgable local crowds and a terrific atmosphere for all fans of jump racing.

Where to stay… Langley Castle Hotel A 14th century castle with just 28 rooms that is an absolutely great place to stay for going racing at this very popular racetrack. It’s also ideal for romantic getaways, weddings, special occasions, and exploring Hadrian’s Wall, Northumberland National Park, and other regional attractions. langleycastle.co.uk

Where to eat… Battlesteads A popular local pub that you can also stay in, with top class roasts and a sophisticated menu that has earned rave reviews from locals and racegoers alike. battlesteads.com

What to wear… no dress codes and a relaxed, informal day out. The weather can change rapidly, and with most of the meetings taking place in the winter, warm waterproof clothes are essential.

RATING 8/10…Britains most scenic racetrack in a beautiful part of the countryside. A hidden secret that has a big local following, with mainly low grade northern jump racing often producing fantastic finishes on one of the stiffest, stamina sapping tracks. Well worth seeking out, and great for exploring a remote, truly rural part of the UK (Hadrians Wall a top local attraction).

6. Epsom

The home of the most famous horse race in the world, the Derby meeting stands out on Epsom’s fixture list and it is well worth timing your visit to coincide with the popular weekend in June.

Full fixture details in the 2026/27 Fixture Calendar at the end of this guide. Two days of top-class flat racing. Gates open ~11am; first race ~1:30pm. Tickets and hospitality are in high demand—priority/early booking is available.

Where to stay… Premier Inn, Epsom Town Centre Basic but reliable chain that has a great location for walking to the races (Epsom has very limited choice within close proximity to the track and staying further out means sitting in horrendous traffic on the bigger racedays) premierinn.com

Where to eat… Dastaan Top class, high quality Indian food that has a very loyal following and competes for Michelin stars with the likes of Dishoom. The menu is extremely sophisticated and far removed from more traditional curry restaurants of old. dastaan.co.uk

What to wear… smart casual fine for run of the mill meetings, but for The Oaks and Derby a morning suit (top hat and tails) is required in the members enclosure. The big meeting of the year attracts racegoers from all over the world and is a fantastic day out, with the Derby on Saturday seeing the track at capacity in the stands and all across the picturesque Downs

RATING 7/10….the big meeting of the year is a fantastic spectacle, with 2026 boasting a new programme of races that worked really well. Younger crowds are attracted to the numerous evening meetings throughout the summer months, with live music afterwards very popular (and some big name artists always booked each year). Facilities have improved though it’s not cheap and options for local hotels and restaurants aren’t the best.

7. Newton Abbot

A lovely part of the world heading down to the coast, and very much a relaxed summer holiday track that draws huge crowds and has a terrific atmosphere. Ideal for taking children as there are lots of activities laid on.

Booking & More

Full list and tickets: newtonabbotracing.com

Where to stay… Bovey Castle Set within 275 acres of the National Park, this is a top class hotel and Spa that is a great place to stay when going racing at the nearby racetrack. The facilities earn rave reviews, with the hotel winning the award for Best large hotel in the UK in 2026 boveycastle.com

Where to eat… The Barn Owl Inn Excellent gastropub that has a rapidly growing reputation for top class British cooking in a very attractive inn. There are also numerous local small restaurants in the area that cater for every taste and budget (traditionally an area where UK tourists head to for their summer holidays on the “English riviera”) barnowlkingskerswell.co.uk

What to wear… Casual clothes only and a very relaxed atmosphere, with mainly summer holiday makers and families in attendance (nearly all meetings take place in the summer months).

RATING 7/10….huge summer holiday crowds flock to Newton Abbot every year, and the experience can suffer a bit as a result (long queues for bars and the catering on track is limited). However there is always some competitive racing on show, and the viewing is superb from the packed grandstand.

8. Goodwood

A stunning racecourse to visit, hidden away in the Sussex countryside and can be a great base for exploring the rest of the South coast and downs. The 5-day “Glorious Goodwood” meeting is a test of stamina for all but the hardiest of racegoer, but it is fantastic spectacle when the sun shines.

Booking & More

• Full calendar and tickets: goodwood.com/horseracing (Fixtures & Events section).

Where to stay… The Old Store Guest house, Chichester A very friendly bed & breakfast in the heart of the South Downs, on the edge of the Goodwood Estate, near Chichester. Ideal for a relaxed stay with easy access to local attractions. Very close to West Wittering beach for a post-racing swim if the weather is warm enough! theoldstoreguesthouse.co.uk

Where to eat… The Badgers, Petworth Around 15 minutes from the track, this pub is privately owned and a personal favourite for an after-racing dinner in a beautiful spot. Sit outside by the steam in the pretty garden and enjoy some really innovative cooking and the local wine (Sussex has a growing number of vineyards producing great Rose in particular) badgerspetworth.co.uk

What to wear… Shirt, tie, jacket, Panama hat for the gents, with a tie compulsory in the (expensive) Richmond enclosure. The main enclosure is more informal, but Goodwood do expect high standards and can be strict compared to other tracks.

RATING 8/10…a beautiful track with magnificent viewing in the Sussex countryside….the Glorious Goodwood Qatar festival is one of the highlights of the English summer season. Only negatives are if it rains, the indoor grandstand facilities are disappointing, but on a sunny summers day there is nowhere better to be (and the racing is always exciting, with the unique camber on the track often producing trouble in running and tight finishes in front of the packed stands).

9. Perth

The first racetrack in Scotland to make the list, and well worth seeking out for those who enjoy competitive jump racing set in the beautiful grounds of the historic Scone Palace Park. Their fixtures are spread mainly through the summer months, with eh 3-day festival that kicks off their season always very popular, with many English trainers/owners/punters making the long journey up.

Booking & More Full calendar, tickets, and packages: perth-races.co.uk

Where to stay… Salutation Hotel Centrally located in Perth town centre, within walking distance of shops, bars, the River Tay, Perth bus/train station (about 10 minutes), and attractions like Scone Palace. 84 individually styled bedrooms (mix of classics, superiors, etc.) Adam Restaurant (with grand neo-classical features), Reids Bar, 5 function suites for events/weddings/conferences.

Where to eat… 63 Tay Street Just a couple of miles from the racetrack, this modern restaurant has a terrific atmosphere with fine-dining using local Scottish ingredients to create a really interesting menu. Essential to book well in advance on racedays. 63taystreet.com

What to wear… casual clothing fine and be prepared for the weather to change…most meetings take place in the summer, but temperatures are 10c colder up in Scotland than in the south so a few layers and a brolly are recommended.

RATING 7/10…great racing and big crowds are the order of the day, with a terrific atmosphere….viewing could be better and it is very hard to know what is in front with the runners coming directly towards the stand up the straight.

10. Sandown

A great track to visit that is easily accessible from London via the train to Esher (a 5 minute walk directly into the track from the platform). Sandown stages top class racing both flat and jumps throughout the year, with some great music acts booked for their popular evening meetings in the summer.

Booking & More

• Full calendar and tickets: thejockeyclub.co.uk/sandown
• Hospitality, restaurants, and packages are available for most days

Where to stay… Oatlands Park Hotel Around 10 minutes in a taxi, or hop on the train at Weybridge (two stops to Esher), this grand old hotel is set in attractive grounds and has been refurbished successfully in recent years. There are cheaper alternatives (mainly lower end chains like travelodge or premier inn), but this is well worth seeking out for anyone planning a day at Sandown oatlandsparkhotel.com

Where to eat… Starlings Brilliantly located for the track, just 2 minutes walk away in Esher High Street, this new restaurant has quickly gathered a very high reputation among local residents and racegoers. Although expensive (think London Claridges prices), the modern European food and service is top class, with a varied menu and high end wine list. Essential to book well in advance particularly on race-days starlingbistro.co.uk

What to wear… informal wear fine, jacket in members but Sandown is very relaxed…for the winter jump meetings a thick coat is a must, although the vast grandstand provides ample shelter (and numerous bars and eateries).

RATING 8/10….great viewing especially for the jump meetings and easy to get to from London on the train (Esher station is over the far side of the track and you can walk directly in from the platform). Facilities do feel a bit municipal and on midweek days the crowd does feel a bit lost in the vast grandstand.

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