LINGFIELD PARK RACECOURSE.
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Introduction:
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.
Track facts:
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.
Enclosures and hospitality:
The listings below do not include the facilities available to Annual Members, Owners and Trainers, and Corporate Guests.
Premier Ticket.
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.
Grandstand Ticket.
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.
Disabled 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.
Fixtures:
To denote jump fixtures a letter j is added to the appropriate date on the following calendar.
2011:
July: Wed 13, Sat 16,
Transport Links:
By Road:
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.
By Rail:
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.
By Bus:
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.
By Air:
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.
Contact Details:
Address:
Lingfield Park Racecourse,
Racecourse Road,
Lingfield,
Surrey,
RH7 6PQ.
Tel No: 01342 83 48 00.
Fax No: 01342 83 58 74.
E-Mail: info@lingfieldpark.co.uk
Accommodation:
Hilton London Gatwick Airport Hotel
UK Tel No: 01293 51 80 80.
From Overseas Tel No: 00 44 1293 51 80 80.
No matter what your mode of transport, if you are a race-goer attending any one of the multiple race meetings at Lingfield Park Racecourse, the Hilton London Gatwick Airport Hotel provides the ideal base for a comfortable and memorable overnight stay or mini break within easy reach of the nation’s capital city.
The only hotel connected directly to the South Terminal at Gatwick Airport, and just a very short walk from Gatwick Airport Railway Station, the Hilton Gatwick is situated close to the M23, and is just 20 minutes drive from Lingfield Park Racecourse, and by prior arrangement, hotel staff will be happy to arrange private hire to and from any one of the multiple all-year-round race meetings staged at Britain’s busiest racecourse.
The Hilton London Gatwick Airport Hotel offers a superb selection of accommodation, including; twin, double, triple, compact family, large family, and accessible rooms, all of which are sound proofed, airy and cosy, and incorporate the standard room amenities expected by discerning guest staying in a superior hotel, (i.e. remote control television with on-demand films, wi-fi internet access, full en suite facilities, comfortable beds for a good night’s sleep, tea and coffee making facilities, 24 hour room service, same day dry cleaning service, etcetera).
For guest seeking that extra bit of luxury during their stay, the Hilton Gatwick also has an Executive Wing, with suites, and king suites + an executive lounge.
For guests who enjoy quality cuisine and refreshments during their stay in a hotel, there is no doubt - Hilton Gatwick guests are spoilt for choice:
Serving a superb dinner menu, Amy’s Restaurant was recently refurbished, and while it is bright and airy, it offers a sophisticated dining experience, with the restaurant being popular with couples, and those wishing to celebrate a special occasion. Serving a satisfying lunchtime menu while at the same time providing comfortable and pleasant surroundings for a chat and general socialising, Amy’s Bar is a popular ‘watering hole’ used extensively by hotel guests seeking a fine lunchtime experience.
For those staying in the Executive wing, the Executive Lounge is the perfect place to enjoy a continental breakfast or a sociable drink with old and new friends.
Offering a lively pub like atmosphere each evening, Charlie Fry’s Sports Bar overlooks the garden, and is a relaxed and friendly area where guests can watch sport on the widescreen television while enjoying a light bite with a large selection of alcoholic or non-alcoholic refreshments. Serving breakfast and dinner, the Garden Restaurant offers guests fine views while enjoying a mixture of buffet, carvery, and a la carte dining.
The hotel’s own Costa Coffee facility is the ideal place to enjoy a fine morning coffee while reading the papers, or to enjoy a pick-me-up expresso at any time of the day, for guests wishing to keep in trim during their stay, the Hilton London Gatwick Airport Hotel also offers the facilities of a fully equipped Fitness Room.
To obtain full details on all the amenities and facilities at the Hilton London Gatwick Airport Hotel, or to ensure your quality accommodation ahead of your next visit to Lingfield Park Races, please click on the link below:
Holiday Inn Gatwick Airport.
UK Tel No: 0871 942 9030.
From Eire Tel No: 00 44 (0)871 942 9030.
The Holiday Inn Gatwick provides the perfect haven for race-goers attending the many race meetings held each year at Lingfield Park Racecourse, for with a large on-site car park, and easy access to the M23, the hotel is just a well sign-posted 20 minute drive from Lingfield Park Racecourse.
For guests travelling by air, the hotel is just a short ride from the North and South Terminals, and the hotel operates a 24 hour shuttle bus service to connect with domestic and international flights.
The hotel building is also a short trip from Gatwick Airport railway station, and the Gatwick Express ensures guests travelling by train are just 30 minutes away from Victoria main line railway station in the heart of London.
The Holiday Inn Gatwick provides a contemporary and luxurious hotel complex, and in keeping with its 4 Star status, the hotel’s staff are warm and friendly, and are always prepared to do that little bit extra for hotel guests – and this can include, (by pre-arrangement), the provision of private hire transport to and from Lingfield Park Races.
With 216 en suite guest rooms available – including single, twin, double, and family rooms - The Holiday Inn Gatwick offers its guests a large range of accommodation options. All rooms offer as standard - air conditioning, bath/shower bathroom facilities, remote controlled colour television with some satellite and pay for view channels, wi-fi internet access, and the many other standard room amenities guests expect in a top quality hotel. For that little bit of additional luxury during a stay at the Holiday Inn Gatwick, guests can also sample the extras provided as standard in the hotel’s Executive rooms and suites. While for guests with low mobility, thee hotel offer specially adapted guest rooms. There is 24 hour room service throughout the hotel, 24 hour porterage, and a Same Day Dry Cleaning Service is available upon request.
The Traders Restaurant on the ground floor of the hotel serves the renowned Holiday Inn buffet style breakfast, and in the evenings, the hotel’s professional and amiable restaurant staff are on hand to cater for every need as guests enjoy a menu incorporating a comprehensive range of traditional and exotic cuisine, all of which can be accompanied by a fine selection of european and world wines.
Traders patrons seeking a pre-dinner aperitif, or after dinner drink, can meet up with those seeking less formal dining in the comfortable and relaxed surroundings of the Hub Bar. With large screen televisions showing sky news or sports, the Hub Bar is also a great place for a chat with old and new friends,or to sample from a large selection of alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks and beverages.
For full details on the Holiday Inn Gatwick, or to ensure quality accommodation ahead of a trip to Lingfield Park Races, please click on the link below:
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