So far I've pencilled in Cartmel in July and maybe Doncaster earlier the same week . And the Ludlow , Worcester and Chepstow in October . But still undecided on the best way to get there , and then travel between said courses and wherever I'm based ( might have to be more than one base ). If I was to fly in October , to get South , should I fly to Birmingham or Bristol ? And where should I base myself ? I was thinking of hiring a car rather than using rail , but any help/suggestions appreciated . I have been shocked at the cost of rail travel when I've been browsing times and prices . I spotted one ticket from Glasgow to Doncaster for £17.50 , but the train 30 minutes later was over £100 . It all seems like a complex farce . I was able to get return travel last year from Glasgow to London Euston for £60 return .

start of at ludlow wednesday night worcester which is a great city,thursday friday stay in newton abbot cider bar well worth a visit,than saturday night stay in cardiff another great city.

Well I thought that I'd bump this thread after reading about Brighton Racecourse ( merits and demerits ) . A very bad thing for racegoers has to be late abandonments . my worst experience was a Saturday meeting at Musselburgh . It started snowing when the horses were in the parade ring . By the time the horses were at the start , it was a full blown blizzard . After a bit of hanging about , and wondering what would happen , the meeting was called off without any action taking place . Just one of the downsides of a winter sport conducted outside . But most frustrating .
Talking about strange quirks at courses ; When I attended Tramore races , I thought to myself " there can't be any other courses where you can't see the runners 1.5 to 2 furlongs from home " . That was until I visited Carlisle races a couple of years ago . I hadn't noticed the nature of the course when watching TV coverage , so you really do get the benefit of visiting courses in person .

NOP
I would avoid the trains in the lakes at the moment MASSIVE PROBLEMS most routes are covered at the moment by busses.
if you happen to win a few quid try sharrow bay at poole bridge
hope you have a good time.
regards
Ronnie.

the traffic at cartmel is nowhere near as bad as legend would make you believe ,its always tricky trying to find somewhere to stay around there but i would strongly recommend you avoid grange.

If you have not been to Newmarket it is a must as the HQ of British Racing. With so many other things to fill in your time like the National Stud, the Horseracing Museum and the morning gallops plus all the people you see when out and about.
Accommodation can be a problem there so we have stayed in Cambridge and taken the bus to Newmarket as when we go to York we stay in a Pub/Motel in Thirsk that is opposite the station

I see that Boyzone , the band , are playing after racing at Cartmel a week on Saturday . I would imagine that could mean the roads around the course are very busy . Probably worse than usual . I will take this into account when planning my day .

Gordon63    Joined: 27 Aug 02
Replies: 2198 13 Jul 18 21:01 
train - change at Lancaster for Grange-Over-Sands, courtesy bus to races, check racecourse website for departure times, bus stops about 10 min walk from the course which takes you through town centre and passed (or in!) couple of nice pubs

car - three hours each way from Edinburgh, closer from Glasgow, leave sharpish after the last and you'll be back on M6 in less than 45 mins and straight up M74 from there, easy peasy...all roads within couple of miles of course are one way, just hope you don't land behind a dreaded caravan!

parking - ample in the course or adjacent overspill fields

Cartmel - not everyones taste but I love it

Well , I did promise to report back . I went to Cartmel races on Saturday 21st . I went from Glasgow central by rail to Lancaster , and got the service to Cark . I returned by same services , later the same day . I found Cartmel village to be pretty and quaint . I didn't realise that it was a " foodie/artisan " type of place . I looked around the village shop , but it wasn't the sort of place you could buy a packet of Quavers and a chomp . The racecourse was very busy , with innumerable picnic tables and chairs gathered around BBQ's . The policy of being permitted to take in your own supplies of food and drink ( alcohol included ) , and the good weather meant that there was a bumper crowd . Which was scattered all around every enclosure and beyond . I found the course layout wasn't the best for viewing the action . The grandstand faces the home straight/winning post , but also has a fair bit of the track behind it . I would have preferred to experience Cartmel on a quieter race day , but I did move about and explored different places/vantage points . I'm pleased to have visited the track and witnessed it in the flesh . TV coverage is no substitute for experiencing the true nature of a racecourse . I lost on the betting front , but survived to punt again .
I enjoyed the views of Morecambe Bay ( largest intertidal sand/mud flats in UK ) , and the superb potted brown Shrimps I ate at the races . I will also remember a drunken fool hitching a ride on the back of Jimmy Moffat's horsebox , with the trainer himself at the wheel , oblivious to the prankster . Thanks again to all forum members who were generous with their knowledge and tips .

go to goodwood its so nice there ,

Goodwood and Fontwell for me.

Definitely not Bath during a hot summer.

A Chomp is a small caramel chocolate bar, Cadburys I think

Thank you intheknow...you are well named sir

southwell,, if you like the beach,,,mind take your pail and spade

Not forgetting that to get from ascot to sandown today you have to get a bus replacement service, which is only in operation for this morning! superb planning there network rail

workrider (how is the visit going?) and foxy - just booked another Irish trip so in addition to Laytown/Kilbeggan/Navan in early September, now aiming for Gowran/Tipperary 2 day meeting/Galway/Cork/Thurles in early October, the premise being that one of the Tipperary is a Hamilton reciprocal day and can visit 5 courses for the first time in the same trip (and catching up on Sgt Howie's Irish total!) - accommodation booked in a centralish location but any other local or course advice welcome. 

I remember that Cork was called Mallow and Tipperary known as Limerick Junction and based on their geography the older names seem more appropriate, any idea why they changed? over here Edinburgh became Musselburgh but that is the actual location so makes sense

zipper  • July 25, 2018 10:48 AM BST 


ANY Group ONE Course  ..why they have the Best Prize and  Attract The Best Horses

.......... and every p1sshead within a 100 mile radius !

Thought that I'd bump this thread to ask for some more advice from the experienced racegoers on here . I've nothing concrete planned as yet ( just over a month to go ) , but I'm thinking of flying to Birmingham either Tuesday or Wednesday and hiring a car to let me travel around . Aiming to attend Ludlow on the Wed' , Worcester next day . Then I will probably miss Newton Abbot for a day of sightseeing in Bristol or Cardiff on the Friday . Unsure of the longish drive South to N.A. , and might have a drink at Worcester too . Saturday would see me at Chepstow . Fly North on Sunday from Cardiff or Bristol . Any suggestions for things to do/see at races mentioned or elsewhere ?  Thanks in advance .

The distance from Worcester to Newton Abbot is 149.7 miles according to the AA route planner website . Estimated duration 2 hours 29 minutes . I'll probably wait for my chance to visit Newton Abbot , and try to fit it in with other race meetings in the area too .