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Lingfield Park is a six hundred acre site in Surrey which is also close to the county borders of Sussex and Kent. The park combines a superb golf course, and a caravan park but pride of place goes to a racecourse complex which exhibits a superb blend of original Victorian architecture, contemperory new developments and beautiful gardens.
Built in the latter stages of the Victorian era, the racecourse staged its first ever meeting in 1890, and in the interveaning years, some of the finest race horses in thoroughbred history have competed at the Surrey venue, including; Derby winners Teenoso, Slip Anchor, Kahyasi, and High Rise.
The course at Lingfield also has it's own place in racing history, for on 30October 1989, Lingfield became the first racecourse in europe to stage flat racing on an all weather artificial surface, with the first ever winner being Niklas Angel, trained by Conrad Allen, and ridden by Richard Quinn.
In recent years, current owners Arena Leisure have invested over ten million pounds in new facilities and track upgrades (including a total refurbishment of the All Weather Polytrack in 2009).
Lingfield Park is now one of the best equipped and busiest racecourses in the world. In each calendar year, the racecourse stages over eighty days of competitive racing, with highlights including; The Derby and Oaks Trials held on the turf flat track in May, and the Winter Derby held on the all weather track in March.
Lingfield Park is the only racecourse in the United Kingdom to stage turf and all weather flat racing alongside a considerable national hunt programme.
The main flat turf track is roughly triangular in shape, and measures one mile four furlongs in circumference. It is run left handed, and is undulating. In fact, the track makes a continuous climb from the end of the home straight to the end of the back straight, then similar to Epsom, it falls away towards a sharp turn into the home straight.
The home straight run in of three and a half furlongs is joined by a chute to produce a straight course measuring seven furlongs one hundred and forty yards.
Situated inside the turf course, the all weather course is a left handed polytrack measuring one mile two furlongs in circumference. It has a long gradual bend into the back straight, but maintains a descent to a sharp home turn. Horses are constantly running against the camber, and a horse holding a rail position on the home turn, or on the home straight, can be disadvantaged by the actual terrain of the track.
A one furlong chute joining the two furlong home straight allows the staging of one mile five furlong races.
In the winter months, the turf flat course is converted into the hurdles course. It has six flights of hurdles, two of which are situated prior to the winning post on the home straight.
The left handed steeplechase course has the longest circuit, being one mile five furlongs in circumference. It actually runs parallel to the hurdles course for the first seven furlongs, but takes a later left hand turn, so increasing its overall length. Despite its greater circumference, the steeplechase course is still considered to be sharp and galloping. There are nine well made fences, laid out in the following circuit pattern: three plain fences, the first open ditch, another plain fence, the second ditch, and the last three plain fences, all three of which are situated prior to the winning post on the home straight. Like all the courses at Lingfield, there is a considerable drop from the end of the back straight down to the sharp bend into the home straight.
In the winter months, the national hunt courses can become quite soft, so horses who can lie close to the pace are preferred.
The listings below do not include the facilities available to Annual Members, Owners and Trainers, and Corporate Guests.
The premier grandstand is located opposite the winning post, and offers excellent views of the various courses. Ticket holders also have access to all the other public areas of the racecourse.
The major dining facility in this enclosure is the Track side restaurant. Food and drink is also available in the Brasserie, and in the summer months, the Champagne and Seafood Court. There is also all year round access to the Club Bar and the Odds On Bar.
Viewing is available from the main grandstand, and ticket holders can visit the parade ring and winners enclosure.
The Cafe Bar provides a great selection of hot and cold meals. There is also the Deli Marche Court and Bar, which serves baguettes, coffee and snacks. While traditional fish and chips are available in the Lingfield Fish Bar. For a social drink, the Sports Bar with its in depth coverage of everything sporting is well worth a visit.
At summer evening meetings, there are outdoor barbecue and spit roast facilities.
Parking spaces for the disabled are available in the golf club car park. On arrival at the racecourse, ask a steward for directions.
Entrance areas are designed to admit wheelchairs.
The lift in the premier grandstand can take disabled visitors to the first floor, and there is also ramp facilities in the restaurant.
There is access to all ground floor facilities including the Pavilion.
Specialist toilet facilities are positioned at strategic points in the public areas of the racecourse.
Guide dogs are welcome.
May: 18, 21, 24.
June: 02, 04, 11, 18,
Lingfield Park is situated twenty one miles from the centre of London on the B2029.
From the M25, leave at junction 6, and from the M23, leave at junction 10. From both motorway exits there are signposts directing traffic to the racecourse car parks and entrances.
Car parking at the racecourse is free of charge.
Direct train services run to Lingfield from London Bridge and London Victoria. Journey time is around forty five minutes.
Lingfield station is five minutes from the racecourse entrances.
Lingfield now has a partner company who operate their own bus service for larger groups wishing to attend the races. For full details contact Lingfield Park Racecourse Express on 0845 094 4620.
Gatwick Airport is around nine miles from the racecourse. Using the motorway network, the airport can be reached in around twenty minutes.
Subject to prior permission from the racecourse management, helicopters may land at Lingfield Park helipad.
Lingfield Park Racecourse,
Racecourse Road,
Lingfield,
Surrey,
RH7 6PQ.
The Holiday Inn Gatwick is ideally situated for race goers travelling to Lingfield Park racecourse. The hotel is only half a mile from Gatwick Airport, and a 24 hour shuttle bus service ensures constant access to domestic and international flights. For guests travelling by train, the Gatwick Express has a half hourly service into Central London. By road, the hotel is just off the M23, and is therefore within a well signposted twenty minute drive of Lingfield Park Racecourse.
The Holiday Inn Gatwick is a contemporary and luxurious hotel, and it incorporates 216 guest rooms. All of the rooms offer air conditioning, en suite bathroom facilities, remote controlled television, wi-fi internet access, and the standard room amenities of a quality hotel. For additional luxury, visitors can book our executive rooms and suites, and for guests with low mobility, we offer specially adapted guest rooms. There is 24 hour room service throughout the hotel, 24 hour porterage, and a Same Day Dry Cleaning Service.
Residents can enjoy a pre dinner drink or meet with non residents in the relaxed atmosphere of Hubs Bar. Open between 7 am and 11 pm, Hubbs Bar serves snacks and light bite meals along with a complete array of beverages. For guests who would prefer to sample from either a carvery or a la carte menu in the Traders Restaurant, they will be delighted by the superb selection of fresh cuisine, and the professional and amiable service provided by our restaurant staff.
For full details or to book directly with the Holiday Inn Gatwick, use the link below.
www.holiday-inn.com/gatwickairport