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WORCESTER RACECOURSE.
Skip to Enclosures and Hospitality.
Introduction:
Worcester racecourse is known locally as Pitchcroft. Like its counterparts at Chester, Stratford and Windsor, the course is enclosed on one side by a natural waterway. In Worcesters case, it is the River Severn.
Racing has been taking place at Pitchcroft since 1718, and this makes the current Worcester racecourse one of the oldest consistent racing sites in the United Kingdom.
Originally, Worcester was a flat racing circuit, and in the nineteenth century the course staged major flat races, such as the Worcester Stakes, and the Worcester Gold Cup.
However, the 1880 redevelopment of the course into a figure of eight circuit proved to be very unpopular with flat trainers, and the quality and quantity of flat runners began to gradually decline. At the same time, national hunt racing grew in popularity amongst the local community, and the quality of these type of races began to improve.
Although the figure of eight circuit was abandoned in favour of an oval shaped track, by 1966, flat racing was discontinued, and the course concentrated all its efforts on producing a successful national hunt campaign. In latter years, winter flooding of the course caused a switch to the increasingly popular summer jumping programme.
Under the management of Arena Leisure, who took over the day to day running of the racecourse in 2000, the summer jumping programme has been extended. In fact, between April and October of 2008, Worcester racecourse plans to stage twenty summer jump meetings.
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Track facts:
Worcester is a national hunt course which currently only operates during the summer jumping campaign.
Horses run left handed over a course without undulations. The circuit is an oval shape, and measures one mile five furlongs in circumference. With easy bends and long straights, it suits gallopers and juveniles.
The steeplechase course has nine fair fences laid out in the following pattern: an initial plain fence, the first open ditch, three plain fences, the second open ditch, and three more plain fences. The last four fences are situated on the home straight prior to the winning post.
The hurdles course has six brush type hurdles, with three in the back straight, and three in the home straight. The run in to the finishing line varies, and is dependant on the positioning of the last flight.
Both Worcester courses have their obstacles laid out in an even and balanced format. This makes the course ideal for juveniles.
On soft going, the course requires stamina.
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.
Premier Ticket.
Located opposite the winning post, this section of the grandstand offers great views of the whole racecourse. Ticket holders have access to the parade ring, winners enclosure, and all the other public areas of the racecourse.
To enjoy good food and superb views of the racing action, the best option is to book a table in the Severn Suite Restaurant. This facility is on the second floor of the grandstand, and a table can be used as a base for the whole meeting, an includes an excellent lunch, with the option of afternoon tea.
The Premier Enclosure Bar is located on the first floor of the grandstand. It offers a fully stocked bar, and a non reservation self service cafeteria.
Grandstand Ticket.
The main grandstand offers terraced viewing over the racecourse and the river Severn. There is also access to the parade ring, winners enclosure, and the Course Enclosure.
The Grandstand Bar on the ground floor offers drinks, hot and cold snacks, and tea and coffee.
On the Grandstand Concourse, there are a number of concessionary outlets, and hot food kiosks.
Centre Course Ticket.
Viewing is from the picnic car park or running rails.
There is a Course Bar with limited snacks. There are also a number of hot food kiosks.
Ensure a better view of the Racing, See our range of Binoculars:
Disabled facilities:
Designated car parking for blue badge holders is available in the main
car park, which is located in the centre of the racecourse. On race days, stewards will direct disabled race goers to these reserved positions.
Lift access is available to all floors and facilities within the grandstand. However, the terraces of the grandstand are not suitable for wheelchair viewing.
A ramped and elevated viewing platform is located next to the rails on the home straight, and this facility is available to disabled race goers from both main enclosures.
Separate male and female specialist toilet facilities are available on the ground floor of the grandstand, plus there is a unisex facility in the Course enclosure.
The Course enclosure bar is not suitable for wheelchair users, but there are alternative bar facilities to be found within this area.
Single carers with a disabled race goer are admitted free of charge.
For any additional information on disabled facilities at Worcester racecourse, please contact the main racecourse telephone number.
Fixtures:
All races at Worcester are run under national hunt rules.
Tuesday 18 August.
Sunday 06 September.
Friday 25 September.
Thursday 08 October.
Wednesday 21 October.
TRANSPORT LINKS.
By Road:
Race goers travelling from the north or south are advised to use the M5. It is then possible to leave at junction 6, and pick up the A449 leading directly to Worcester city centre. Brown tourist signs then direct traffic to the racecourse.
From the west, the A443 and A44 are both good routes into Worcester city centre, where the brown tourist signs can be easily spotted and followed.
Centre course car parking is free of charge.
By Rail:
There are direct train services from London Paddington, Birmingham New Street, Cardiff, and Bristol, all of which stop at Worcester Foregate Street.
Worcester Foregate Street railway station is around 10 minutes walk from the racecourse.
By Bus:
National Express coaches offer services to Worcester from several British towns and cities.
By Air:
Birmingham International is the nearest airport, being around 28 miles distant.
Subject to permission from the Clerk of the Course, helicopters may land on the racecourse.
CONTACT DETAILS.
Address: Worcester Racecourse, Pitchcroft, Worcester, WR1 3EJ.
Tel No: 0870 220 2772.
Fax No: 0870 220 2882.
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ACCOMMODATION.
Woodnorton Hall Hotel Evesham.
Tel no: 01386 42 57 80.
A former home to French royalty, Woodnorton Hall is a glorious example of a Grade II listed country hotel. Set in its own grounds, the hotel overlooks the beautiful Vale of Evesham to the nearby Cotswold Hills, and due to its location, the hotel is ideally situated to form a sumptious base for race goers attending Cheltenham, Stratford, or Worcester Racecourses.
Woodnorton Hall offers 45 individually decorated and well appointed en suite double bedded guest rooms. All rooms offer remote controlled colour television, internet access, complimentary luxury toiletries and mineral water, along with the standard room amenities guests would expect in a superior hotel. For guests seeking total luxury during their stay, the hotel offers the Duc d’Orleans master suite, plus 3 other feature oak panaled bedrooms all with magnificent bathrooms, each of which is fit for a resident king and queen.
The head chef at Le Duc’s Restaurant utilises the abundance of local quality produce to display his individual flair and creativity, and this manifests itself in tantalising modern cuisine with a French influence. The restaurant’s wine list has also been created with the same care, and offers wines from some of the world’s greatest vineyards. Room service and private dining facilities are also available on request.
In keeping with its origins, the hotel also offers a billiards room, outdoor tennis courts, and extensive grounds in which guests can stroll and relax. To obtain further information on the facilities at Woodnorton Hall, or to book directly, use the link below.
Hilton Puckrup Hall Hotel.
Tel no: 01684 296 200.
Situated four minutes from junction 1 of the M50, the Hilton Puckrup Hall Hotel is located within a 140 acres secluded parkland site on the edge of the Cotswolds. With its own 18 hole championship golf course, Living Well Health Club, and close proximity to both Cheltenham and Worcester Racecourses, the hotel is the ideal oasis for the sports minded guest.
Each of the hotel’s en suite standard guest roomsexudes Hilton quality, offering 32 inch remote controlled plasma television, wi-fi internet access, and the many other room amenities guests expect in a superior Hilton hotel. For that extra bit of comfort and luxury, the hotel also offers; deluxe and deluxe plus rooms, and junior suites – Full details available on our website.
While enjoying views over the golf course, guests dining in the hotel’s crisp, two tone Balharries Restaurant can choose from a lovingly prepared range of traditional and international dishes, plus a wide selection of specially selected fine wines. If guests choose to dine in their room, the hotel also offers a 24 hour room service menu. While for light bites and sandwiches, the comfy sofas and the external terrace of the Terrace Bar are the ideal place to relax and chat.
In addition to golfing packages, sports minded residents can also enjoy the facilities of the hotel’s Living Well Health Club. This includes access to a fully equipped gymnasium, spa, swimming pool, sauna, Jacuzzi, and steam room. For more details on the facilities of the Hilton Puckrup Hall Hotel, or to book directly, use the link below.
