How to Go Horse Racing at Wincanton Racecourse

Wincanton Racecourse hosts 16 jump racing fixtures between October and May each year, with an average of two meetings per month during this period. Eight of these race days are on a weekend or bank holiday, designed to provide added entertainment and cater for families.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• A Map
• GPS
• Binoculars
• Money
• Pen and Paper
• Camera

How to Get to Wincanton Racecourse

1. Drivers should turn off the B3081 between Wincanton and Bruton, which is sign posted from the A303. Those travelling from the north, should take the A37 until Shepton Mallet and then follow the A371 until Wincanton. From the South it is sign posted off the A357.
2. Train travellers should head for Templecombe, which is four miles south of Wincanton. There is a raceday courtesy bus service that meets the train from Waterloo before racing and returns race-goers to the station after racing.
3. Long distance race-goers should stay at the caravan club site within the racecourse grounds. It has beautiful views of the Somerset countryside including the King Alfred's tower and the Stourhead Woods. For bookings or further information contact 01963 34276. The site is only open between April and October.
4. Book luxury rooms at The Kingwell Lodge, a development built within the Golf Club house. The accommodation is small, consisting of four double rooms, one with disabled facilities.

What to do at the Racecourse

5. Plan your visit wisely. Days vary a great deal. For example, Saturday meetings provide some of the best racing of the National Hunt season featuring some of the top horses in the Country. Sunday and bank holiday fixtures usually become Family Days with added entertainment and reductions in price for groups.
6. Don’t forget Ladies Day in April! The more glamorous amongst us might like to know that other featured racedays include glamour, fashion and style shows/celebrations.
7. Visit on a Thursday, when racing includes various celebrations such as “Irish Day” and “Countryside Day” (which includes terrier racing and ferret racing. Quite!)
8. Take a break for refreshment! There are seven public bars in the race course main building, each with their own character. Why not pay them a visit!
9. Celebrate Christmas at the racecourse in the main marquee. Exquisite food is always prepared and the atmosphere is electric!
10. Get out your walking boots! The Fleet Air Arm museum, Haynes Motor Museum and the Butterfly Museum are all within 15 miles of the racecourse site. Stourhead House (a National Trust site) is just 6 miles away and has beautiful gardens that are open to the public.
11. Tee off at the nine-hole golf course in the centre of the racecourse. Watch out for horses!
12. Bring your yellow jersey! The racecourse is on the 'Cycle round Somerset' route and bikes are available for hire nearby.
13. In April the racecourse hosts music, comedy and entertainment nights.

Tips & Warnings

• Take out a Half Year Membership to score free admission tickets to Wincanton and other tracks.
• Children aged 16 and under gain free admission to all race meetings.
• There is free children's entertainment (including a crèche for 3-8 year olds) on Sunday meetings.