Five Racecourses Within 50 Miles of Bath You Can Visit

Believe it or not, it turns out that Bath is a brilliant place to base yourself if you want to experience the thrill of horse racing. The surrounding countryside is simply littered with venues for the sport of kings.

"Iconic Cotswolds venue Cheltenham racecourse lies 50 miles north of Bath" (CC BY 2.0) by AndyLoos

In a roughly 50-mile radius around Bath, did you know there are several racecourses where horse racing under rules take place? If counting the thriving point-to-point scene in the West Country, the number would be even higher!

Let’s take a look at five major horse racing venues within an easy drive of Bath…

Bath

If you head just three miles northeast of Bath city centre up onto Lansdown Hill, then you’ll find the highest Flat racecourse in Britain. With over 200 years of horse racing history here, there are 23 fixtures throughout the year with the Lansdown Stakes over the flying five furlongs and 1m 6f Beckford Stakes two Listed prizes on offer for fillies.

Unlike other Flat and jumps venues, Bath racecourse does not have a watering system. This means if the ground becomes firm, it is possible racing may be abandoned, so always check their official channels for the latest going updates.

Cheltenham

Head about 50 miles north from Bath over the Cotswolds and you’ll find the home of National Hunt horse racing. Cheltenham is so entwined with jumps action that its four-day Festival in mid-March has a life of its own as the eyes of the sporting world fix firmly upon Prestbury Park.

This is one of eight different meetings at Cheltenham racecourse throughout the year, but by far the most important. If you’re after the latest Festival betting odds for the Champion Hurdle or Gold Cup, then moplay.co.uk has all those bases covered.

Chepstow

"Chepstow Races" (CC BY-SA 2.0) by amandabhslater

About 25 miles northwest across the Severn Estuary from Bath, you’ll find yourself in South Wales and at Chepstow racecourse. Like Bath and Cheltenham, this is a left-handed dual-purpose venue in the picturesque southern end of the River Wye and its valley.

The Welsh Grand National – an extended 3m 5f handicap steeplechase – is the big one at Chepstow over Christmas traditionally held on 27 December. However, be aware that wintry conditions often see this card postponed until January, so factor that into any festive plans you might have.

Salisbury

Around 40 miles southeast of Bath is Salisbury, the cathedral city of Wiltshire. The racecourse here stages Flat only fixtures and some of the most historic thoroughbreds in racing have appeared at this venue.

With a horse racing heritage going back to before Georgian times, it’s no surprise to learn the likes of Gimcrack, Eclipse, Sun Chariot and Mill Reef graced Salisbury racecourse. All of those superb Flat horses have group races named after them at other British venues.

Wincanton

Some 30 miles due south of Bath in southern Somerset is Wincanton where jumps racing takes place. Like Salisbury, this is a right-handed venue which means the horses race clockwise and there are 17 National Hunt fixtures from October until May.

Three Grade 2 events take place at Wincanton: the Kingwell Hurdle in February, which can be a trial for the Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham; Elite Hurdle also over 2m in November and a 2m 5f novice chase that has launched the career of subsequent Aintree Grand National winners Bindaree and Comply Or Die!