Discover Yorkshire’s Finest: The Ultimate Guide to Racecourses and Dining Delights
Yorkshire is fortunate to have some of the best racecourses in the country. Whether you are a big fan of the sport, enjoy the social side of going to the races or looking for some quality food, there is something for everyone.
Here is a look at some of the best racecourses in the country and the food they have to offer.
York Racecourse Top of The Pile
Many racing fans describe York Racecourse as the Royal Ascot of the north. It hosted the royal meeting in 2005, and anybody fortunate to have visited the course on the Knavesmire will understand why it is so highly regarded.
York offers a warm welcome to all racegoers, whether you have general admission tickets or hospitality. Meetings such as the Ebor, Dante and Spring Trophy attract the best horses across their respective divisions.
The Yorkshire venue has three restaurants on site. One is the Voltigeur Restaurant, where you can enjoy fine dining with a spectacular racecourse view. If you are looking less formal, you can book a buffet or carvery at the Ebor Restaurant, which is described as a ‘gourmet standard’. There is something for everyone at the venue.
Ripon Nominated for Racecourse Awards
Located in North Yorkshire, Ripon Racecourse is described as “Yorkshire’s Garden Racecourse”. It is one of the most picturesque sporting venues in the country, as its title suggests.
Ripon offers all owners and trainers a meal during their racecourse visit and access to a lounge in the main grandstand. For those looking to reap these benefits and get involved in horse racing ownership, it is a good idea to consider race horse syndicates. These make ownership more affordable, as shares in horses begin from as little as £33, and you still receive many of the benefits that come with owning a horse, like watching it on the racecourse.
Fixtures take place at Ripon between April and September. The highlight is their St Wilfried Meeting in August. The race feature race was won in 2024 by Dare To Hope for local trainer Richard Fahey.
Wetherby Offers Both Flat and Jump Racing
Situated just 12 miles outside of Leeds, Wetherby Racecourse is easily accessible by rail and road. It hosts fixtures all year round, as it has both a Flat and National Hunt (Jumps) course.
Wetherby’s leading meeting is the Charlie Hall Chase, which often features some of the leading Cheltenham Gold Cup contenders in late October. The Real Whacker won this year’s renewal.
You can book a range of hospitality packages at Wetherby, from a three-course dinner to a hot and cold buffet to fish and chips from one of the huts around the course. If you are looking to book a private area for friends and family, there are several suites available on each race day that you can hire. These tend to be popular for the major race days, so book early to avoid disappointment.
Enjoy your next day at the races in Yorkshire. Hopefully, you can enjoy some nice food during your visit, making it a memorable afternoon or evening.
