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FOLKESTONE RACECOURSE.
Skip to Enclosures and Hospitality.
Introduction:
Folkestone is the home of the only official racecourse in the County of Kent. Surrounded by the beautiful countryside of the garden of England, the track is actually situated at Westenhanger.
The racecourse has a position on the edge of the Downs, and is about five miles due west of Folkestone town centre.
For those interested in history, Westenhanger is well worth visiting in its own right, as it is the home of Westenhanger Castle, and during the time of the Spanish Armada, this fortress was the base of Queen Elizabeth the firsts Kent army.
Although there are records indicating unofficial horse racing was taking place in the Folkestone area prior to the nineteenth century, it was the construction of railway connections which led to the opening of the current course in 1898.
In 2008, Folkestone racecourse will stage twenty four meetings, fifteen of which are flat fixtures, and the remaining nine are national hunt meetings. Consequently, racing takes place all year round.
Placepot, Dual Forecast, and Super7, are all online when you sign up with:
Track facts:
As stated above, Folkstone stages both flat and national hunt racing.
The flat course is a right handed, undulating oval, approximately one mile and two furlongs in circumference. The three furlong run in is joined at the home turn by a chute. This creates a straight course for races between five and seven furlongs.
Due to the contours of the straight course, high drawn horses are favoured in five and six furlong flat races. The straight course also favours prominent runners.
The national hunt courses are also run right handed. The circuits are around one mile and two furlongs in circumference, and are considered sharp in nature, with medium undulations throughout their length.
The steeplechase course has seven fences laid out in the following circuit pattern: four plain fences, the sole open ditch, and two plain fences.
At the end of the home straight, a sharp bend proceeds a climb, followed almost immediately by two fences in quick succession. After another three fences in the back straight, there is a down hill run before the turn into the home straight. The last two obstacles are located on the home straight prior to the winning post. The nature of the course makes it best suited to jumpers with a good sense of balance.
The hurdles course only has four flights per circuit. The first hurdle follows the sharp bend and climb at the end of the home straight. The next two obstacles are in the back straight, then there is a three furlong run to the sole hurdle located on the home straight prior to the winning post.
On soft going during the winter months, stamina and a prominent position are favoured, as statistics show seventy five per cent of eventual winners stay close to the pace. Also, the track very much favours course specialists.
Enclosures and hospitality:
The listings below do not include the facilities available to Annual Members, Owners and Trainers, and Corporate Guests. These can be obtained by contacting the racecourse.
Club and Grandstand Ticket.
Viewing of the run in and winning post is from the Glover Grandstand. There is full access to the Paddock areas, which includes the parade ring, lawns, and winners enclosure.
It is worth noting, larger parties of race goers can obtain discounts on normal entrance fees. Contact the racecourse for more details.
Parties of up to eight can book a fine dining experience of the Lookout Restaurant. As its names suggests, the restaurant also provides excellent views of the racing action. As demand is great for this facility, it is essential to book in advance. Telephone 01303 40 58 01.
Snacks, drinks, and light refreshments are available in the Paddock Brassarie, and Spitfire Pavilion. There are also separate bar facilities, which in the summer months, includes the Lawn Bar, which is located under the trees in the paddock.
Picnic Park Ticket.
Provides views of the races for visitors who want to enjoy a family picnic. Cost of entry is five pounds per car, and five pound per occupant. However, up to two child occupants can enter free of charge.
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Disabled facilities:
Reserved parking spaces are available for disabled badge holders. When arriving at the racecourse, ask a steward for directions.
There is a designated viewing platform, which has ramp access for wheelchairs.
The Grandstand lift gives access to the Lookout Restaurant, and there are specialist toilet facilities on the ground floor of the grandstand.
The carer of a wheelchair race goer receives free admission.
Fixtures:
Thursday 06 August Flat Racing.
Wednesday 19 August Flat Racing.
Sunday 23 August Flat Racing.
Monday 07 September Flat Racing.
Tuesday 22 September Flat Racing.
Tuesday 06 October Flat Racing.
Tuesday 17 November National Hunt Racing.
Monday 30 November National Hunt Racing.
Tuesday 15 December National Hunt Racing.
TRANSPORT LINKS.
By Road:
Folkestone is about sixty five miles from London, and is best approached on the M20. Traffic should exit the motorway at junction eleven, which is situated near Newingreen. The slip road joins the A20. Race goers should take this road, which is signposted for Lympne, Newingreen, and Sellinge. Almost immediately, there are signs to direct race day traffic.
An alternative route involves following the A259 to Hythe. Then join the A261, and follow signs for the racecourse.
From Canterbury, it is possible to follow the B2068, until it reaches the main road network at junction eleven of the M20, then follow The A20 as above.
Excluding the picnic car park, all other car parks are free of charge.
BY Rail:
There are hourly trains, running on the half hour mark, from London Charing Cross to Westenhanger station. On route, these services stop at Sevenoaks, Tonbridge, and Ashford, where they link with many other south east rail services. There are also trains running from London Waterloo East to Westenhanger station. Both links take around ninety minutes.
Westenhanger station is only one hundred metres from the racecourse entrances.
By Bus:
There are National Express coach services between London Victoria Coach Station and Folkestone. The journey time is around two hours and fifty minutes.
By Air:
Kent International Airport at Manston is around twenty three miles from the racecourse, and is suitable for all types of private aircraft.
Telephone 0870 760 57 55.
Subject to prior permission, helicopters may land at the racecourse.
By Ferry:
Folkestone is now the home of the Euro Tunnel Ferry Service which runs from Folkestone to Calais. The service only takes an average of 35 minutes and is the quickest way for French Race-Goers to visit a British Racecourse, but it also enables British Race-Goers fast access to the major French Racecourses in Paris.
N.B. Passangers travelling to France without a Car are advised to board Euro Tunnel services either in London or Ashford.
CONTACT DETAILS.
Address:
Folkestone Racecourse,
Stone Street,
Westenhanger,
nr Hythe,
Kent CT21 4HX.
Tel No: 01303 26 64 07.
Fax No: 01303 26 01 85.
The latest phones and Super deals:
ACCOMMODATION.
Hythe Imperial Hotel.
Close to racecourse.
Tel No: 01303 26 74 41.
Located close to Folkestone Racecourse, the Mercure Hythe Imperial is a four star seafront hotel. Set in 50 acres of beautiful Kent countryside, the Mercure Hythe Imperial offers a choice of sea, garden or golf course views. The hotel has 100 comfortable en suite bedrooms, including five suites and accessible bedrooms. All bedrooms have remote controlled TV’s, along with high speed internet access, tea and coffee making facilities and an iron and ironing board.
The award winning Prince’s Restaurant is an ideal location to enjoy freshly prepared local ingredients, with fresh local seafood being one of our specialities. The hotel also has many lounges where you can partake in a Traditional Afternoon Tea or maybe a very English ‘Pimms’ on our delightful gardens. Within the hotel’s grounds there are extensive leisure facilities including; 13 Hole, 18 Tee Links Golf Course that runs parallel to the English Channel, a Swimming pool, Steam Room & Sauna, Whirlpool Spa and Full Spa Treatments. We also have the benefit of Floodlit Tennis Courts and a Squash Court.
http://www.mercure.com/mercure/fichehotel/gb/mer/6862/fiche_hotel.shtml
Holiday Inn Ashford Central.
Tel no: 0870 400 9001.
Well situated for Folkestone racecourse, the Holiday Inn Ashford Central is located near the centre of Ashford, and can be found just off the M20 motorway. The Eurostar termainal at Ashford international station is just minutes away. The hotel has a range of air conditioned en suite guest rooms, including; suites and executive rooms on an executive floor, specialist accessibility rooms, and family facilities. All guest rooms incorporate remote controlled television, high speed internet access, and the standard amenities you would expect in a quality hotel. There is also 24 hour room service, and a same day dry cleaning service.
The hotel’s Junction Restaurant serves a full range of tempting dishes throughout the week, and offers a superb carvery menu for Sunday lunch. Guests can also relax in the hotel lounge, or they can visit the atmospheric Bybrook Bar which boasts oak beams and open log fires, and is located in the original seventeenth century barn, a listed building, and now part of the hotel. For guests who wish to keep fit, the hotel offers a special £5 daily membership to the nearby Fitness First Gym.
http://www.ichotelsgroup.com/h/d/hi/1/en/hotel/asdke
Holiday Inn, Ashford North A20.
Tel no: 01233 71 33 33.
The Holiday Inn Ashford North A20 combines a tranquil rural location with rapid access to Ashford International rail terminal, the M20 motorway, and the main road links to Folkestone racecourse. Winners of the 2007 Intercontinental Quality Excellence Award, The Holiday Inn Ashford North A20 offers 92 beautifully designed and furnished guest rooms, including; family rooms, and specially adapted rooms for guests with low mobility. All rooms are air conditioned, and have luxurious en suite facilities, remote controlled LCD televisions, high speed internet access and 24 hour room service. Other hotel services include Wi-Fi in the main public areas and meeting rooms and car parking is complimentary to all guests.
The hotel’s Bar and Lounge serves an all day menu, and guests can enjoy their food and drinks in a less formal atmosphere while they relax and chat. The Fine Dine restaurant offers a fabulous a la carte menu every evening. Alternatively there is also the Hop Pickers pub in the hotel grounds, and residents can charge food and drink from this venue onto their hotel account. For visitors wanting to keep in trim during their stay, the hotel offers a mini gym.
http://www.qnhgroup.com/Page.php?pID=1044&PHPSESSID=1b754877a1ea267a22c8a03cc412f2ba
