Birmingham is Britain’s second largest city and has an endless choice of football teams playing locally, along with countless alternative sporting events to enjoy. So it is surprising that there is no Birmingham racecourse for horseracing enthusiasts. According to the BBC, 6 million people go to the races every year, making it one of Britain’s most popular sports. So where can Birmingham race fans find their piece of the action?
Fortunately, whether you’re following the favourites for the Cheltenham Festival, or just checking out a midweek meeting, Birmingham race fans have a huge choice available to them. There are no less than ten courses within around fifty miles of the city, all offering regular meetings throughout the year, with both flat and jump races to enjoy. Whichever part of Birmingham you live in, there is a course near you.
Racecourses close to Birmingham
At just 22 miles to the north, Wolverhampton Racecourse is the closest to the city, and is the busiest racecourse in the country, offering over 100 meetings per year including floodlit evening meetings. For those in the south of the city, Warwick and Worcester are probably closer, at 27 miles and 32 miles respectively, with all the fun of Stratford upon Avon just a little further at 34 miles. To the east, Leicester and Nottingham both have popular racecourses, at around fifty miles away.
Racecourses worth travelling for
Once you are in the car, it can often be worth going the extra mile for something extra special. Cheltenham is around fifty miles from Birmingham and hosts a wide range of meetings throughout the year, including the legendary Cheltenham Festival with its Gold Cup and other Group One races. Towcester is a little further at around sixty miles away, but is the only free entry racecourse in Britain, as well as one of the most scenic, so it is well worth the journey.
What does a day at the races cost?
Unless you head for Towcester, you will have to pay admission to the course. This ranges from between £10 and £20 for standard admission, to £100+ for exclusive boxes with the best views. Tickets for Cheltenham start at around £65, with the top packages selling out well in advance. With most racecourses, you can make a significant saving by booking online in advance, compared to paying on the day. So book your tickets, grab your formbook and head for a day at the races. Whichever horse you back, you’ll be on to a winner!