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SOUTHWELL RACECOURSE.
Skip to Enclosures and Hospitality.
Introduction:
Situated in Nottinghamshire, and part of the Arena Leisure Group, Southwell racecourse is one of only two British courses staging all weather flat, turf flat, and national hunt racing.
Racing at Southwell dates back to the seventeenth century. At that time, the local farmers had to congregate for the payment of their rent to the diocese. As many of them had to stay overnight, for entertainment, they started racing their horses. Records indicate, the races were over a circular course, which started and finished at the Burgage in Southwell.
The modern racecourse staged its first meeting on the seventeenth of October 1897, thereby replacing its predecessor, which had been closed on safety grounds. The current location then concentrated on turf national hunt racing for nearly ninety years.
However, after a multi million pound investment programme, a new All Weather racetrack was opened in 1989. These new facilities staged all weather national hunt racing until 1994. For various reasons, this type of racing was then abandoned, and the all weather track was converted to the exclusive staging of flat racing. To expand the potential of the racecourse, a new turf course was constructed, and this is now used to stage both turf flat and national hunt racing.
Weather permitting, in every month of the calendar year, there is some form of horse racing at Southwell. Indeed, the racecourse now hopes to stage around seventy days of racing in any one year.
Track facts:
Southwell has three courses.
The turf flat course is run left handed over a tight oval measuring just over one mile one furlong in circumference.
Low drawn horses have a statistical advantage on the round five furlong sprint course.
The all weather flat course is longer than its turf counterpart. It is run
left handed over a circuit of one mile two furlongs. There is also a chute which joins on to the home straight, to produce a five furlong straight sprint course. The chute is also used for the start of one mile six furlong races.
During the winter months, the turf flat course is used for national hunt racing. The steeplechase races are staged at the beginning of the race meeting, with seven portable fences laid out in the following circuit pattern: three plain fences, a single ditch type fence, and three more plain fences, the last three being positioned in the home straight.
Although the fences are portable, they are fairly stiff, and can quite often catch out novice jumpers.
Once the steeplechases are completed, the fences are removed, and they are then replaced by five hurdles, two of which are positioned in the home straight.
The going at Southwell is deceptive. Good to soft at Southwell translates as soft going on many other racecourses, and when it is labelled as heavy, it should be considered to be bottomless. As a result, potential winners must possess a combination of agility, balance, and 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.
The Premier section of the grandstand offers the best views of the latter stages of the racing action. Ticket holders also have access to the parade ring, winners enclosure, and all the other public areas of the racecourse.
The Queen Mother Restaurant serves a full, a la carte menu. It provides views over the racecourse and parade ring, and has viewing monitors to ensure patrons do not miss any of the racing action. The restaurant is very popular, and must be booked in advance.
The Pantry is renowned for its selection of home cooked meals and sweets.
The Premier Bar is located on the first floor of the grandstand, and it has its own section of the grandstand viewing terrace, which provides its patrons with excellent views of the winning post.
There is also an award winning Fish and Chip Shop on the ground floor of the grandstand.
Grandstand Ticket.
Ticket holders have grandstand views of the racing, plus access to the parade ring and winners enclosure.
The Saddle Bar is a comfortable pub style facility serving a full selection of drinks, alongside a range of hot meals and snacks.
The Paddock Bar has a carvery, which serves up superb baguettes, and other hot snacks.
Disabled facilities:
Southwell has a proactive approach to disabled facilities, and the racecourse holds the, Positive about disabled people award.
There are designated parking spaces available to disabled blue badge holders.
All the facilities on the ground floor of the enclosures are accessible to wheelchairs.
There is a lift near the paddock entrance, which gives access to the first floor of the grandstand, including the Queen Mother Restaurant. This lift is fitted with raised Braille markings on the operating buttons.
2 viewing platforms are available in the premier enclosure. One is situated just past the winning post, and gives excellent head on views of the home straight. The other overlooks the winners enclosure.
There are disabled toilet facility is available in the grandstand, and the paddock.
Fixtures:
Most of the fixtures at Southwell are all weather flat race meetings. To identify the national hunt meetings, a letter j has been added to the dates.
August 10, 16j, 25, 27.
September 29.
October 18, 27.
November 09j, 11, 12, 17, 24.
December 01j, 08, 11, 12, 15, 17, 18, 22, 27.
TRANSPORT LINKS.
By Road:
Southwell racecourse is just outside the Nottinghamshire village of Rolleston.
From the north, south and west, it is best to join the A1, and head for the A6065 junction. Join the A6065, and then the A617. The racecourse is signposted from this point.
From the east, take the A17, and join the A46, and then join the A617. The racecourse is signposted from this point.
There is plentiful free car parking at the racecourse.
By Rail:
There are direct services to Rolleston station from Leicester, Lincoln, Nottingham and Newark.
Rolleston railway station is just over half a mile from the racecourse.
By Bus:
A bus service operates between Rolleston railway station and the racecourse.
By Air:
East Midlands Airport is around 35 minutes drive from the racecourse.
Subject to prior permission from the racecourse management team, helicopters may land on the racecourse.
CONTACT DETAILS.
Address: Southwell Racecourse, Rolleston, Nottinghamshire, NG25 0TS.
Tel No: 01636 81 44 81.
Fax No: 01636 81 22 71.
ACCOMMODATION.
Saracens Head Hotel, Southwell.
Tel no: 01636 81 27 01.
Located opposite the Norman Minster, and close to the current Southwell racecourse, the Saracens Head is synonymous with horse racing activity in the town of Southwell. Many of the gentleman farmers who started the original horse races around the town stayed at the Saracens Head. Furthermore, in 1642, King Charles II, who founded modern horse racing, also brought his royal entourage to stay at the Saracens Head.
Originally a sixteenth century coaching inn, the current hotel has been superbly and thoughtfully refurbished to provide 27 well appointed en suite guest rooms. Each room offers excellent facilities, including; comfortable beds, remote controlled television, wi-fi internet access, and the other room amenities guests expect in a quality hotel. The Saracens Head also offers room service, and our friendly staff are always on hand to provide courteous and efficient service.
Using only the best local produce, the hotel’s restaurant offers a mouthwatering array of freshlyprepared meals. Light bites and bar meals are also available in the residents bar or the public bar. To obtain further details on the Saracens Head, or to book directly, use the link below, (Adobe Flash Player recommended).
