Windsor Racecourse
Introduction
Situated in the picturesque surroundings of the River Thames and with views of Windsor Castle, Royal Windsor racecourse hosts both flat and National Hunt racing. Meetings are held between April and December, and include the popular summer Monday night meetings, famed for their garden party atmosphere. The course is a mile and a half long and is the only one in the country to be shaped like a figure of eight. The track is flat with sharp bends, meaning that the emphasis is on speed and not stamina.
History
Windsor Racecourse
Horse racing in the Windsor area dates back to Henry VIII’s time although the first race meeting was not held until 1866. In 1926 Churchill, in an unpopular move, attempted to impose a betting levy. When bookmakers at Windsor refused to accept bets, plans for the tax were swiftly dropped. 23 years later Churchill was lucky enough to see his horse, Colonist II, win the Lime Tree Stakes at the course.
Fixtures
A full list of fixtures is available online. Windsor’s Family Fun Day, Ladies’ Day and themed events such as their Carribean Evening are particularly popular.
Tickets
Tickets can be bought in advance either by using the facility on the official website, or alternatively by telephone. Prices vary according to your chosen method.
Online
- Club Enclosure £18
- Grandstand Enclosure £13
Telephone
- Club Enclosure £22
- Grandstand Enclosure £16
On the day
- Club Enclosure £22
- Grandstand Enclosure £16
- Silver Ring Enclosure (picnic area and children’s playground) £8
Concessionary rates
Children are admitted free of charge, provided they are accompanied by an adult, and the disabled also qualify for free admission.
Groups of ten or more will be given a discount on the telephone prices, amounting to £4 for the Club Enclosure and £3 for the Grandstand.
Other pricing information
Various car parking options are available, ranging from free public facilities to a charge of £6 for the Club car park and £8 for the Silver Ring.
For the keen race-goer an annual badge makes financial sense. At only £240, this works out at under £10 a fixture and also allows admission to other race courses on specified dates, use of the members’ car park and an exclusive bar facility.
Packages are available which include entry to the races, free car parking, a drinks voucher, a Tote betting voucher and race card. Prices start at £25 per person, rising to £38 a head, depending on how many are in your party and whether you want entry to the Club Enclosure or Grandstand.
These packages are particularly good for first-time race-goers who might also appreciate the website’s useful section on racing phrases.
Eating and Drinking
There are two restaurants at Royal Windsor: the Castle and the Club.
The Castle Restaurant overlooks the racecourse and offers two packages for £77.50 and £89.50 a head. Both include a three course meal with coffee, free parking, entry to the race and a race card. The latter also includes a seafood platter and champagne on arrival.
The Club Restaurant is situated in the original grandstand and offers two dining packages for £50 and £55 a head. Again this includes entry, parking and a race card, with the cheaper option including a two course meal and the more expensive, three courses.
Traditional and vegetarian hampers are also available on selected dates and cost £60 per person which also includes admission, parking and a race card.
All of the above should be booked in advance.
There are also numerous fast food outlets, bars and a cafeteria serving hot and cold food.
If you wish to bring your own picnic they can be eaten in the Silver Ring Enclosure. Bear in mind, however, that the best spots are taken early so allow yourself plenty of time.
There is a dress code in effect in both restaurants (and in the Club Enclosure): shirts with collar for men and no t-shirts, sportswear, shorts, trainers or ripped or frayed jeans.
Contacts
Postal address
The Racecourse
Maidenhead Road
Windsor
Berkshire
SL4 5JJ
Tel 01753 498400
Fax 01753 830156
E-mail
Clerk of the Course & Operations Manager - Gemma Charrington
[email protected]
Commercial Manager - Lucy Bolton [email protected]
Travel
By Road
Royal Windsor racecourse is situated between the town of Windsor and Maidenhead on the A308. If travelling from the west on the M4, leave at junction 8/9, signposted Maidenhead. If coming from the south on the M3, leave at junction 3, signposted Woking, Bracknell and Lightwater. If travelling from the north or east on the M25, leave at junction 15 and join the M4 westbound, leaving the M4 at junction 6, signposted Slough Central, Windsor and Eton.
By Rail
Frequent trains from London Paddington and Waterloo run to Windsor and Eton Central, Windsor and Eton Riverside and Slough, from where you can take a taxi. If you are arriving at either of the Windsor and Eton stations it is a short walk to the embarking point for the river taxi service (see below).
By Boat
A river taxi runs for all fixtures from Barry Avenue Promenade in Windsor town centre (opposite Brown’s Restaurant) and takes ten minutes. Boats start running two hours before the first race, up until the start of the second race, and for the return trip the service starts at the beginning of the penultimate race and ends 40 mins after the end of the last race. Tickets are available from the ticket office at the promenade in Windsor.
By Air
The nearest airport is Heathrow which is seven miles from the racecourse. For enquiries about landing by helicopter contact the racecourse in advance.