Chester Races

Chester Races
Chester Racecourse
Chester Races parade ring
Chester Races - battle for the finish post

Chester Races

For a fabulous day’s racing, head to Chester racecourse, one of the most picturesque tracks in the UK. Whether you’re a keen racegoer or a novice looking for a memorable day out with family and friends, a day at Chester races won’t disappoint! The course hosts some of the biggest flat racing meetings of the year so you’re guaranteed to find one to suit you. At National Holidays we make it easy for you to enjoy the UK’s top horse racing events without having to arrange tickets, travel and hotel accommodation, and appointing one of your friends as the designated driver!

Chester racecourse may be renowned as the oldest racecourse in the UK but it is also the most atmospheric and charming, making it a must-visit course for racing fans. Straddling the River Dee and framed by the city walls, the course is known as the Roodee, and has held race meetings since the early 16th century. The black and white Tudor-style facades of the grandstand create a unique charm while the course’s unusually short distance, at just over a mile long, creates an unrivalled intimacy.

The diminutive size of the course means you never lose sight of the runners and riders throughout the race, whilst the tightness of the track combined with a short finishing straight creates some of the most thrilling finishes in horse racing. Study the form and have a flutter, before picking your spot alongside the rails to cheer your horse to the finishing line. Fingers crossed you will be collecting your winnings afterwards!

Chester racecourse may be renowned as the oldest racecourse in the UK but is also the most atmospheric and charming, making it a must visit course for racing fans.

Straddling the River Dee and framed by the city walls, the course is known as the Roodee, and has held race meetings since the early 16th Century.

The course is immensely characterful, there is simply no other course like it! The black and white tudor style facades of the grandstand create a unique charm while its unusually short distance, at just over a mile long, creates an unrivalled intimacy and atmosphere.

The diminutive size of the course means you never lose sight of the runners and riders throughout the race, whilst the tightness of the track combined with a short finishing straight creates some of the most thrilling finishes in horse racing, which you must experience.

Check the form guide and have a flutter, before picking your spot alongside the rails to cheer your horse to the finishing line. Fingers crossed you will be collecting your winnings afterwards!

The showpiece meeting at Chester racecourse is the annual three-day May Festival which doubles up as the county’s most glamorous social occasion. The festival’s most prestigious races, The Chester Cup and the Cheshire Oaks, attract the finest fillies in the UK, some of which have gone on to win the Derby at Epsom and the best jockeys and trainers in the business.

Aside from the festival, the course celebrates its Roman heritage on the final Saturday in May, with Roman themed activities for children to enjoy combined with top class racing on the turf.

At the height of summer the racing comes thick and fast, with the City Plate Day and Summer Festival providing an exciting day’s flat racing, whilst Ladies Day in August sees stylish fashion meet great racing.


To find your coach holiday or break to Chester Races simply use our Holiday Search above.