York Races

The York Races racecourse is regarded as one of the best tracks in Europe, after recently winning the prestigious Flat Racecourse of the Year Award. In addition to that accolade, the York Races track also came up top in a recent The Times Newspaper survey, in which they assessed all of Britain's racecourses. The track at York (aka The Knavesmire) hosts many regular meetings, both Flat and National Hunt, during the York Races season from May to October. They encourage members to use the races as an excuse to dress up and have fun, as well as have a flutter. Over 260,000 racegoers are estimated to have visited York, "Northern Racecourse of the Year", this year. York as a city has a long and fascinating past - right back to the days of the Romans and the Vikings, and today is a bright and vibrant city boasting the best in entertainment and amenities as well a excellent hotel accommodation a short distance away from where the York Races are held. Historians predict that there was horse racing at York as far back as the days of the Emperor Severeus in Roman times, although the first detailed records showing race meetings held at York have a more modest 1709 estimate.

York Races Information

The courses at York are left handed, with a flat, U-shaped track boasting a two-mile start at the very bottom of Knavesmire. The dress-code at York Races is not enforced as formal - but there is a long tradition of the races at York being a special occasion, and many like to dress up. Even though there is no enforcement, jeans and trainers are rarely seen in the Country Stand. The dress code in the Grandstand and Paddock is much more relaxed, with shorts and t-shirts often worn when weather permits. The restrictions are mainly common sense, with bare chests unacceptable and rude shirts and slogans banned. Cash points are available in many areas of the course.

Getting There

Because of the northern central location of York and the popularity of the city, the York races are easy to reach from most of the UK. Travelling by car, the racecourse is just outside York city, and has good motorway links on the M1 and the A1. Once near the city, the roads from the south, east and west to follow are the A64 and the A1036. Approaching from the north, use the A19 and the A59 before taking the York Ring Road to avoid the city centre, as it is often busy. Free car parking is provided at the racecourse. Rail routes to York are fast and frequent, with many of the services taking a surprisingly short time. From London Kings Cross it takes around 1 hour 52 minutes, with direct services also available from Manchester, Edinburgh and Birmingham. The course is only a mile from the centre of York, where the station is situated, and there is a First Bus race day shuttle which will take racegoers to the course every 20 minutes. International visitors are advised to land at Leeds/Bradford or Manchester International airports, as they are fifty and ninety minutes away by road respectively. There is an Aircoach service which ferries passengers from these airports, except for Manchester where there are regular rail services.