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SEDGEFIELD RACECOURSE.
Skip to Enclosures and Hospitality.
Introduction:
Located close to Darlington and Durham, Sedgefield is a thriving national hunt racecourse, with a long and interesting history.
Racing is believed to have started in the Sedgefield area as early as 1732. But it was the formation of the Ralph Lampton Hunt which inevitably led to national hunt racing at Sedgefield. In 1804, the hunt moved from its base at Lampton Park, and re established itself at the Hardwicke Arms near Sedgefield.
Amongst the Lampton Hunt, there were a number of characters who played an influential role in north east history. Ralph Lampton was to become an ancestor of the Earls of Durham, Ralph Brandling was the owner of Gosforth Park, which was later to become Newcastle racecourse. While Robert Surtees had a famous son, R S Surtees, who created the character Jorrocks.
With such a strong group of keen horsemen, an annual event of competitive horse ridingsoon occurred. However, the first recorded race meeting at the current Sedgefield site was not until 1846.
The formation of the Sedgefield Racecourse Company took place in 1927, and it started well, staging three meetings in its first year of operations. But it took another fifty years before the racecourse saw modern development. Since 1977, a large capital investment in racing facilities has seen the fixture list grow to around twenty meetings, which are liberally spread over most months of the Calendar year. This growth in fixtures, and accompanying prize money, now attracts leading horses and jockeys to many Sedgefield race meetings.
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Track facts:
Sedgefield stages national hunt racing.
The course is run left handed over an undulating oval measuring one mile two furlongs in circumference. Although the bends are sharp, the course still suits galloping types.
The steeplechase course has eight relatively easy fences laid out in the following circuit pattern: six plain fences, a single open ditch, and a final plain fence. The ditch and last plain fence form the two jumps in the home straight.
Although the fences are evenly distributed, and relatively easy to jump, the course sets its own demands. There is a constant climb over the back straight and home turn, which becomes a sharp descent in the early part of the home straight. This means horses have forward momentum when jumping the only ditch fence. The course only levels out after the last fence has been jumped.
The hurdles course has five evenly distributed obstacles, two of which are situated in the home straight prior to the winning post.
Sedgefield stages the longest hurdle races in Britain, with its marathon events taking place over a distance of three miles three and a half furlongs.
Although pace usually prevails at Sedgefield, on soft going, both courses demand 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.
Grandstand Ticket.
The covered Fosters Grandstand has limited seating, but most racegoers choose the terraced standing areas. From the grandstand, there are excellent views of the hhome straight and winning post.
Grandstand ticket holders also have access to the parade ring, winners enclosure, and the other public areas of the racecourse.
For racegoers who want to enjoy good cuisine while watching the full days racing, the Hoops Bistro is located on the mezzanine floor of the Paddock Pavilion. The relaxed atmosphere of this facility makes it very popular, and advance booking is essential.
For racegoers who prefer to keep on the go, the Grandstand Enclosure has several bars serving drinks and snacks. Most of the bars have good views of the racing action.
There are also several hot food kiosks with adjacent seating areas.
Course Ticket.
Viewing is from the centre of the course, or the running rails.
Although this is mainly a family picnic area, there is a bar serving snacks.
For winter attire, Binoculars & Racing Accessories Visit our Amazon shop:
Disabled facilities:
There are disabled parking facilities in the paddock car park, but it is necessary to contact the racecourse in advance of your visit.
In the Grandstand Enclosure, there are ramps to all the facilities, plus access to disabled toilets.
Only official guide dogs are admitted to the racecourse.
Fixtures:
All races at Sedgefield are run under National Hunt rules.
Tuesday 25 August.
Tuesday 08 September.
Tuesday 29 September.
Tuesday 10 November.
Tuesday 24 November.
Tuesday 08 December.
Saturday 26 December.
TRANSPORT LINKS.
By Road:
The racecourse is situatedjust outside the village of Sedgefield.
Traffic from north and south should use the A1M, and exit at
junction 60. Sedgefield is only five minutes drive from the junction, and traffic should follow the signs to the racecourse car parks.
From Middlesborough and the east, traffic on the A19 should take the turn for the A177 towards Sedgefield. Once again, the racecourse is clearly signposted.
There is plentiful free car parking. However, for the hard stand car park in the paddock area, there is a £5 charge per vehicle.
By Rail:
The best options are Darlington station, 8 miles, and Durham station, 12 miles. Both are on the main east coast rail line, both have taxi ranks and nearby bus stations.
By Bus:
National Express coaches run to both Durham and Darlington from several other british towns and cities.
There are hourly bus services between Durham and Sedgefield, and Darlington and Sedgefield. Details from Arriva north east.
By Air:
Durham Tees Valley airport is around 10 miles from the racecourse.
Subject to prior permission, helicopters may land at the racecourse.
CONTACT DETAILS.
Address: Sedgefield Racecourse, Stockton on Tees, TS21 2HW.
Tel No: 01740 62 19 25.
Fax No: 01740 62 06 63.
Great Phones, Great Deals only at:
ACCOMMODATION.
Aston Hotel Newton Park Darlington.
Tel no: 01325 329 600.
The Aston Hotel Darlington is ideally situated on Junction 59 of the A1M just a five minute drive to Sedgefield Racecourse. Durham Tees Valley airport and Darlington train station are also a short drive away. Due to its location, a wealth of towns, cities and attractions are on the doorstep, and of course, the hotel is surrounded by some of the North East’s and Yorkshire’s most scenic countryside.
The Aston Hotel Darlington has 80 king sized bedrooms with enviable power showers and an individually controlled comfort and heating system in each room. There is complimentary wi-fi throughout the hotel and a working desk in all the bedrooms. Executive rooms are available and have sofabeds to cater for families of smaller children.
Brasserie and Bar 59 boasts a choice of lite bite options as well as a comprehensive a la carte selection for those with a little more time on their hands. The Hotel’s chef was recently amongst the 8 finalists in the North East Chef of the Year Competition 2008, and he prides himself in utilising local produce wherever possible, so as to create the most tempting of dishes.
The Aston Hotel Darlington is a contemporary modern and friendly destination where you are always warmly greeted by both the staff and management team. For further details, or to book directly, use the link below.
http://www.astonhotels.co.uk/astonhoteldarlington/hotel-durham.asp
Hardwick Hall Hotel Sedgefield.
The Hardwick Estate can trace its origins back to 1183, with the first mansion house constructed on the current site in 1435. Indeed, parts of today’s buildings have a long and colourful history, most particularly from the time of its ownership by John Burdon during the seventeen hundreds. Rescued from potential oblivion by the current owners during the late nineteen sixties, the hotel, which is veryclose to the A1M and Sedgefield Racecourse, has been transformed into a sumptuously appointed and spacious 51 bedroom quality hotel.
All of the hotel’s well appointed guest rooms provide views over the estate gardens and parklands. Each room provides spacious en suite facilities , and offers a thoughtful blend of antique furnishings with the necessities of modern living, such as high speed internet access, Bang and Olufsen hi fi, flat screen and plasma televisions with satellite channels, mini bar facilities, room safe, and the many other room amenities discerning guests now expect in a quality hotel. For guests seeking extra comfort during their stay, the hotel also offers deluxe and premier room facilities – details available on request.
Using the finest local and regional ingredients, the hotel’s kitchen staff ensure the Ha Ha Restaurant provides our guests with a superb blend of traditional and continental dishes. In addition, on certain evenings, the restaurant offers specialist meals for two. For guests who would prefer to dine in their room, the hotel has a 24 hour room service menu. No matter which option you choose, your meal can always be enjoyed with a bottle of fine wine from our superb wine list. A light bite lunch menu is also available amongst the colonial style comfortable leather sofas and palm trees of the Hardwick Bar. The bar is also ideal for a pre dinner cocktail, or a post dinner malt, brandy, or beer.
For further details on the Hardwick Hall Hotel, or to book directly, use the link below.
