Located on the scenic rural outskirts of one of Ripon (an ancient market city in North Yorkshire), Ripon racecourse is has a beautiful botanical backdrop. Being surrounded by trees and having two ponds on the property, one in the centre of the course, Ripon racecourse encapsulates the relaxing atmosphere of the British countryside in its essence. To top it off the racecourse enclosures are all adorned with planters filled with vibrant colours and the parade ring has trees in and around it. Hence the well-earned title of Yorkshires Garden Racecourse, with its homely and welcoming atmosphere.

The racecourse is the perfect place to visit during spring and summer especially, if you are staying near or in Ripon. The racecourse is only a 30 minute, approximately 1.2-mile picturesque walk down the canal from the market square. On your way you will walk well laid footpaths past the marina and the canal basin where you may see, boats, locks, ducks and rich green overhanging trees.

The track is “A right-handed, oval circuit of thirteen furlongs, with a run-in of five furlongs, and a straight six-furlong course. Owing to the rather cramped bends and the surface undulations in the straight, the track is rather sharp in character.” (says their website). When visiting you can choose between:

The Club Stand – Ripon’s premium enclosure with direct access to the finish line and the club dining room or the silks and saddles bar where you can indulge in lunch and/or afternoon tea or a glass of bubbly respectively. (access to paddock and course is also granted with this)

The Paddock Enclosure – The area of the course with access to the parade ring and some incredible views of the track, as well as a variety of areas to drink and eat including Fountains Café, a Fish and Chip Shop, the Wakeman Bar and the Theakston’s Terrace Bar (I would personally recommend the traditionally Yorkshire and mouth watering homely food that is served in the Fountains Café, especially the “ Flat Cap Wrap” a roast dinner pulled pork style meal wrapped in a large Yorkshire pudding and served with gravy and chips). There is also access to the main betting ring at the front of the stands.

The Course enclosure – The most informal “picnic” area of the course that allows food, drinks and table/chair/gazebo setups to be brought. This area still has access to a bar and food outlets as well as various bookmakers. It also has access to the finish line.

All of these areas have a view of the permanent “giant screen” that was newly replaced in 2015, however the course enclosure has the most restricted view of this.

I would strongly recommend this course, some major dates are Sunday 19th May – Traditional Family Day, Thursday 20th  June – Ladies day, Saturday 20th July – Yorkshire Go Racing Festival, Saturday 17th August – William Hill Great St Wilfred and Monday 26th August – Bank Holiday family day.