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The location of Warwick racecourse is most unusual. Not only is it in the centre of the town, but it is also within a few hundred yards of the ramparts of Warwick castle, but then the racecourse actually stands on the common land which was originally shared between the castle and the people of the town, and that may explain why Warwick is one of the oldest permanent sites for horseracing in the British Isles.
Local archives indicate racing may have started in the Warwick area during the seventeenth century, but a much clearer picture exists with regard to the current course. It seems the first meeting on the present site occurred in 1728, with the first grandstand being built in 1809.
Since its inaugural meeting, Warwick has staged horse racing almost continuously, but like most British racecourses, it did halt racing activity during the two world wars of the twentieth century. In fact, during the second world war, Warwick racecourse was converted into a prison camp for Italian prisoners of war.
To blend in with the character of the town, many of the facades of the older buildings on Warwick racecourse have been maintained and restored, while the internal structures have been completely rebuilt. This is true of the main grandstand, where a recent three million pound redevelopment maintained the outer shell of the building, but installed a state of the art racing facility which provides seating and hospitality for 1,200 race goers.
Warwick stages both flat and national hunt racing. In 2011, the course will host fifteen quality flat meetings, and 10 competitive national hunt fixtures.
Warwick stages both flat and national hunt fixtures, but they are run on two separate courses.
The Flat course is run left handed over a long circuit one mile six furlongs in circumference.
Shute starts are used for races over 6 furlongs, 1 mile, and 1 mile 2 furlongs.
On soft to heavy going, high drawn horses have a statistical advantage.
The national hunt course is also run left handed, and being situated inside the flat course, it is slightly shorter at one mile five furlongs in circumference. It is also characterised by tight bends, slight undulations, and a short run in to the winning post.
The steeplechase course has ten fences laid out in the following circuit pattern: two plain fences, the first open ditch, two more plain fences, the second open ditch, and four plain fences, the last two of which are situated in the home straight.
Although the turns on the course are sharp, the track is also wide, and gallopers can cope by taking a wider route. The only undulations are a short climb and descent after the last obstacle in the home straight, and a small descent in the back straight.
The fences are unevenly dispersed. Prior to the home turn, there are five successive fences on the side of the course, and these can present a real test of jumping ability. Having said that, the fences are not difficult, and competent jumpers have no problems at Warwick.
The accompanying hurdles course has six hurdles, with two being sited in the home straight.
On good going, Warwick suits horses with pace. However, it can become very heavy on the course during the winter months, and this switches the emphasis to stamina.
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.
Warwick has an open enclosure policy, and all race goers in the main enclosure can use all the facilities. This includes the modern grandstand, with its excellent views of all the racing action. There is also access to the parade ring, winners enclosure, non reservation restaurant facilities, and all bars.
The 1707 Restaurant is located next to the Grandstand, and overlooks the winning post. The restaurant has a capacity of 150 guests, so smaller parties of race goers can book a table for a whole meeting, enjoy silver service of good food, while watching the racing action.
On the second floor of the grandstand, the Kingmaker Restaurant offers up to 50 guests all day reservations, good food, and superb views of the racecourse.
The Chandler Seafood Restaurant offers a non reservation facility serving seafood dishes with a selection of hand picked champagnes and wines.
The Dukes Bar is one of several well stocked and atmospheric bar facilities in the main enclosure.
This family picnic area is only open at weekends, and at bank holidays which occur during the flat racing season.
There is a viewing stand, plus a bar, and hot food kiosks.
Disabled car parking is available in the Owners and Trainers car park. Contact the racecourse to arrange facility.
There are elevated viewing platforms. One near the parade ring, one in the main enclosure, and another in the course enclosure. Wheelchair accessible balconies are also available on both levels of the grandstand.
All catering, and most tote betting facilities provide accessibility to wheelchair patrons.
There are specialist toilet facilities in all enclosures.
A wheelchair race goer and carer are admitted on a single price ticket.
Special assistance dogs are the only dogs allowed on the racecourse.
For any other clarification on disable facilities, please contact the racecourse.
Monday 13 June
Thursday 16 June
The junction of the A46 and the A41 main trunk roads occurs in Warwick. The racecourse is located close to this junction.
The A46 connects with Leamington Spa to the north, and Stratford on Avon to the south. Traffic from the M40 should leave at junction 15, and follow the signs to Warwick.
Car parking at the racecourse is free of charge.
There are direct connections to Warwick from London Marylebone. A direct service also operates between Warwick and Birmingham Moor Street. For cross country connections, it is then necessary to transfer the short distance to Birmingham New Street station.
Warwick railway station is around a mile from the racecourse.
There are direct connections from Warwick bus station to Stratford on Avon, Leamington Spa, and Coventry.
Birmingham international airport is around 15 miles from Warwick.
Warwick Racecourse,
Hampton Street,
Warwick,
Warwickshire,
CV34 6HN.
Combining traditional elegance with modern luxury, the 4 Star Ardencote Manor Hotel is the centrepiece of an 83 acre estate, which incorporates a lake, 9 hole golf course, and a helicopter landing pad. The hotel is also just a few miles by road from the historic town and racecourse of Warwick.
Ardencote Manor provides 110 beautifully appointed en suite guest rooms. Every room incorporating; comfortable beds, remote controlled television, internet access, and the quality room amenities associated with a superior hotel. Our professional and courteous staff are always on hand to enhance your residential experience, and this includes the provision of room service and private dining on request.
Guests using the award winning Lodge Bar and Restaurant can enjoy mouthwatering cuisine while taking in the tranquillity and rustic charm of the lake and its environs. All hotel guests can also obtain light meals and refreshments in the Members Bar, and morning coffee and afternoon tea can be taken in the beautiful surroundings of the Oak Room.
Ardencote Manor provides superb health and fitness facilities, including; A nine hole golf course, 3 outdoor floodlit tennis courts, 3 squash courts, an outdoor swimming pool, steam room, sauna, Jacuzzi bath, 2 fully equipped gymnasiums, exercise programmes in the dance studio, and for eventual relaxation – an outdoor whirlpool bath with accompanying champagne bar. Meanwhile, guests seeking a pamper can book; holistic, grooming, therapeutic, and stress relieving treatments in the hotel
Spa.
For more information on Ardencote Manor, or to book directly, use the link below.
Tel no: 01926 42 55 22.
Situated in a pleasant suburban area, and easily accessible from the M40, the Holiday Inn Leamington Spa forms the ideal base for guests who wish to combine a visit to Warwick Races with easy access to the beauty and history of Leamington Spa, Warwick, Stratford Upon Avon, and Kenilworth.
The hotel offers 91 well appointed en suite guest rooms, including; high quality standard rooms, executive rooms with queen sized beds, suites with king sized beds and a separate lounge, and 2 rooms especially adapted for guests with low mobility. All of the hotel’s guest rooms offer remote controlled television with satellite channels, pay for view movies, wi-fi internet access, and the standard room amenities guests expect in a quality hotel. Full details on the extras provided with executive rooms and suites are available from our website. Naturally, there is 24 hour room service throughout the hotel, and for busy guests, we offer a same day dry cleaning service.
The Spa Restaurant is light, airy, and relaxing, and serves breakfast, lunch, and a choice of a la carte, or table d’hote dinner menus. To enhance your dining pleasure, wheree ever possible, our kitchen staff use only the pick of the freshest local ingredients, and our restaurant staff offer discreet and friendly service at all times. To accommodate guests who prefer a light bite, the hotel’s Bar and Lounge offers an all day bar meal menu, along with a superb choice of alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages. Meanwhile, for guests who want to keep in trim, the hotel offers a mini gym facility, or reduced rates at a nearby Health and Fitness Centre.
For full details on the Holiday Inn Leamington Spa, or to book directly, use the link below.
http://www.ichotelsgroup.com/h/d/hi/1/en/hotel/warls?_requestid=222172