Newbury or Stratford races?.

Abbie2003

Hi all, surprising him indoors with a night away in Oct, but can't decide between Newbury or Stratford races???

Plan to stay in nice hotel with slap up meal thrown in too, so any recommendations would be gratefully received

McAzrael

Newbury. That's an easy one. I go racing pretty much every week and know both courses well. Newbury is far and away the better course: better facilities, better horses, better viewing. One thing to note: I'm guessing you're looking at 22nd October when Newbury has flat racing and Stratford has jumps.

How are you getting there, where are you coming from and where are you thinking of staying?

Are you wedded to that weekend? The weekend before Cheltenham has its first meeting of the season (and Cheltenham is perhaps the finest jumps course in the country) and Ascot has a £3m end-of-season-championships flat card (and Ascot is perhaps the finest flat course* in the country)

*Flat course that also has a bit of jumping in the winter.

qetu1357

Depends whether the quality of racing is the first consideration or having a good time.

My favourite is Plumpton

http://plumptonracecourse.co.uk/

You can always get the train down to Eastbourne afterwards and stay there

Abbie2003

Thanks so much for the quick response.

Yes pretty much tied to that weekend I'm afraid. We are coming from south Wales, Cwmbran.

Looked at few hotels but none had particularly good reviews to be honest

McAzrael

You've got Wincanton on the Sunday. Take a coat, and then take another one because one coat just isn't enough at the top of that hill. Greta course if you can handle the cold.

I presume you already clocked Chepstow on the Saturday and decided to give it a swerve - very wise.

The Newbury Racegoers Restaurant is quite a good deal. Admission, three course lunch and a great view of the racing from the balcony for £55 each. Then perhaps a hotel in Bristol where there's a bit more going on than in Newbury. If you're coming by train then it will go to Reading, where there is a Malmaison right across the road from the station. Dump your bags, get the race train down to the course (Newbury Racecourse station is right next to the course) and then back to Reading where there are plenty of restaurants and bars and it really isn't as awful as you imagine.

Abbie2003

Thank you so much for your fantastic info!!! You're a star!

Did actually look at the Malmaison but was wondering how long it would take by train??? See they go about once an hour.

Saw also that there are races in aintree too that weekend but would prob have to fork out for 2 nights there. Have you been there at all??

Yes Chepstow not brilliant day out I have to say!!

McAzrael

I've only been to Aintree once and think a whole lot of it. The decent viewing is on the roof of the old stands, and if it's raining that's no good. The new (covered) stands are on the corner so you're looking down the track - not great. That weekend it will be really quiet too so not a great atmosphere. The racecourse is in a right crappy neighbourhood.

At least one room of that Malmaison is really nice, and I guessing I didn't get one of their best ones given what I paid. They usually seem to have £100 rooms at the weekend if you book in advance. There's a fairly new Ibis/Novotel round the corner too. I'm guessing you've seen an hourly service from Wales to Reading. On race days they stop some of the local trains that would otherwise go straight through Newbury Racecourse station and then add a few extra ones to give a decent service - around every 10 - 15 minutes.