Worcester Races

Located just a five minute walk from the centre of Worcester with many local rail links, the Worcester Racecourse, home of the Worcester Races, sits at the side of the River Severn and has been the home of racing for hundreds of years. Since 1718, the Pitchcroft course has hosted races, which makes Worcester one of the oldest operating racecourses in Britain today. Throughout the years, the Worcester Races have grown in popularity and prestige, and by the middle of the middle of the nineteenth century, with several important races in the UK racing calendar becoming well established at the Worcester Races, including the Gold Cup and the Worcester Stakes. Unlike many race courses, the Worcester Races course has undergone many changes throughout it's history, rather than the flurry of modernisation we have come to expect at many courses today. In 1880 a new track was installed, featuring a long-defunct figure of eight course, which was very popular at the time. Flat racing at Worcester was discontinued in 1966, but the National Hunt meetings that make the Worcester Races so popular remained, and continued to provide competitive racing with large fields. In 1995 summer jumping was added to the fixture list due to some winter fixtures being lost to flooding, and was so popular that they continue today. The race course is run by Arena Leisure, who took over in April 2000, although the City Council maintain ownership of the land at Worcester Races, and the manage the maintenance needed of the grass areas.

Worcester Races Information

The course at Worcester is a primarily a National Hunt event. It is a left handed track, in a 1m5f oval, flat with easy turns and long straights - which allow for some impressive speeds. Race days at Worcester are not just for adults, and several events are held across the year that are family friendly, with fairground rides and several types of children's entertainment provided. There are three enclosures at Worcester, each providing their own food, drinks, bars and entertainment. Luxury dining is available, as well as executive boxes and marquees. All the enclosures also have their own bookmakers, Tote Betting facilities and access to the centre of the course itself. The Premier Enclosure allows access to all the public areas of the course, as well as the Premier Bar and Severn Suite Restaurant. The dress code for the Premier Enclosure is smart casual, with white trainers not permitted. The Grandstand Enclosure allows access to the ground floor bar of the Grandstand, viewing stepping and both sides of the Parade Ring. The dress code is the same as the Premier Enclosure. The Centre Course Enclosure is a family orientated enclosure, and provides family entertainment for children on certain days. As well as this, there is the Centre Course bar, picnic areas and easy access to the car park.

Getting There

To get to the Worcester races by road, take junction 6 off the M5 and follow the A449 towards Worcester City Centre. If approaching from the West take the A443 and A44, as both offer good access to the city centre. There are frequent British Rail services to Worcester Foregate Station located 10 minutes walk from the racecourse. Helicopter landing and take-off facilities are also available.