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TAUNTON RACECOURSE.
Skip to Enclosures and Hospitality.
Introduction:
The initial nineteenth century race meetings in the Taunton area were based in several different locations, and had varying degrees of success.
However, in the latter part of the nineteenth century, the strength of the Bridgewater Hunt led to the development of a racecourse just outside Bridgewater. This course survived until the start of the twentieth century.
In 1927, a group of seven businessmen set up the Taunton Racecourse Company, and secured a site which had been used as a previous venue for horse racing. The land at Orchard Portman was sold to the company by Viscount Portman, and work on the current course soon commenced.
Situated off the Shoreditch Road, prior to 1840, the land purchased for the racecourse had been the site of the ancestral home of the Portman family. Indeed, the back straight of the current course runs over the site of the former house, while the rest of the course is situated on top of the former orchard and gardens.
After the 1927 formation of the racecourse company, racing began almost immediately. The first race being the Shoreditch Selling Hurdle, staged on the twenty first of September 1927.
In the early years of racing, the underlying Somerset red clay soils were responsible for considerable water retention, which in turn led to heavy going. During the building of the M5 motorway, displaced soil was used to bank up the racecourse bends and back straight. In recent years, considerable work has also been completed to improve the drainage of the course. The net result of all this work, is between November and April, Taunton is able to stage 14 competitive race meetings.
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Track facts:
Taunton specialises in national hunt racing.
The track is run right handed over a sharp oval measuring one mile two furlongs in circumference. There are slight undulations and a short run in to the winning post.
The steeplechase course has seven fences laid out in the following circuit pattern: an initial plain fence, an open ditch, a plain fence, the second open ditch, and then another three plain fences. There are three fences in the home straight, with falling ground providing some problems in the approach to the last fence.
The hurdles course has five flights, the last two being sited in the home straight.
In most races, with the possible exception of the 3 mile 3 furlong chase, pace is preferred to 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.
Portman Grandstand Ticket.
The grandstand provides the best views of the racecourse, and it is situated directly opposite the winning post. Members of this enclosure have access to the parade ring, winners enclosure, and all the other public areas of the racecourse.
The grandstand has its own Bar and Cafeteria. Alternatively, ticket holders have access to all the facilities of the Tattersalls enclosure.
The racecourse not only provides good views of competitive horse racing, there are also excellent views of the distant Blackwood Hills, and the spire of the historic Portman estate church.
Tattersalls Ticket.
The Orchard Grandstand also offers great views of the racing action.
In addition, ticket holders can visit the parade ring and winners enclosure.
The Saddle Room Restaurant is located on the ground floor of the grandstand, and good fayre can also be obtained in the Orchard Restaurant, which is located on the first floor. For race goers preferring a drink, the Winning Post Bar is also located on the first floor.
Ensure a better view of the Racing, See our range of Binoculars:
Disabled facilities:
Blue badge disabled parking spaces are available near the entrances to the racecourse.
There is a raised viewing platform which is situated between the paddock and the winning post.
There is good access to the restaurant facilities in the Orchard Grandstand.
Specialist toilet facilities are available on both sides of the course.
Fixtures:
All races run at Taunton are run under National Hunt rules.
Thursday 13 November.
Thursday 27 November
Thursday 11 December.
Tuesday 30 December.
TRANSPORT LINKS.
By Road:
Tauntons Orchard Portman racecourse is located just off the B3170, and is two miles due south of Taunton town centre, on the road which connects Taunton with Corfe and Honinton.
Traffic approaching on the M5 should exit at junction 25, and then follow the signs to the racecourse.
Race goers from Dorset and south Somerset should make for the A358. This road passes under the M5, and there are signs directing traffic to the racecourse.
From Minehead and north Devon, head for the centre of Taunton. At the town centre Sainsburys store, take the B3170. The road is clearly marked as traffic approaches the traffic lights adjacent to the store.
All car parking at the racecourse is free of charge.
By Rail:
Taunton has direct train services from London Paddington, Birmingham New Street, and there is even a direct cross country service from Edinburgh and Newcastle upon Tyne.
By Bus:
National Express coach services operate into Taunton.
There are no local bus services from Taunton to the racecourse. However, a courtesy bus runs from the railway station one hour before the first race, and returns half an hour after the start of the last race. On both journeys, the courtesy bus also calls at Taunton bus station.
By Air:
Bristol airport is thirty one miles from Taunton.
Subject to prior permission from the racecourse company, helicopters may land on the course.
CONTACT DETAILS.
Address:
Taunton Racecourse,
Orchard Portman,
Taunton,
Somerset,
TA3 7BL.
Tel No: 01823 33 71 72.
Fax No: 01823 32 58 81.
Great Phones, Great Deals only at:
ACCOMMODATION.
Holiday Inn Taunton.
Tel No: 0870 400 90 80.
Set in a pleasant suburban area, the Holiday Inn Taunton is just off junction 25 of the M5, and is 3 miles from the town centre and Taunton Racecourse. The hotel has parking for 250 cars, and forms the ideal base for race goers who want to combine a racing break with good access to the major tourist attractions of the South West of England.
The Holiday Inn Taunton has 99 en suite guest rooms, including well appointed standard rooms, enhanced executive facilities, and 2 rooms especially adapted for guests with mobility restrictions. All rooms provide air conditioning, remote controlled television with satellite channels, wi-fi internet access and the usual room amenities of a quality hotel. The executive rooms offer a range of additional features – full details being available on request. There is 24 hour room service throughout the hotel, and there is also a same day dry cleaning service.
The Holiday Inn restaurant provides a fashionable relaxed atmosphere in which guests can choose from the excellent a la carte or daily specials menus. The hotel’s relaxed Lounge Bar also serves a superb range of bar meals, and these can be enjoyed with a comprehensive range of alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages.
The hotel’s Spirit Health Club has a fully equipped air conditioned gymnasium, a 15 metre swimming pool, sauna, spa, and solarium. A range of beauty treatments can also be booked in advance at the hotel’s beauty salon. For further details, or to book directly, use the link below.
Holiday Inn Taunton M5, Jct.25
Salisbury House Hotel Taunton.
Tel no: 01823 272 083.
The Salisbury House Hotel is ideally located in the centre of the Somerset town of Taunton. With its own private car park, the hotel is a perfect base for race goers attending the nearby Taunton Races. Although recently refurbished, Salisbury House retains many of its initial features, including; a superb oak staircase, and many of its original gothic style arches and stain glassed windows.
The award winning hotel provides accommodation on three floors, including ground floor rooms, one of which is specially adapted for a guest with low mobility. All of the hotels guest rooms are well appointed and comfortable, and provide; en suite bathrooms with luxury fittings and accessories, pocket sprung beds for a good night’s sleep, remote controlled television, wi-fi internet access, an armchair, good desk space, and the standard room amenities expected of a quality hotel. For guests seeking some extra luxury, Salisbury House also has deluxe double rooms and a four poster room.
Because of our concentration on service and hospitality, we can also offer a varied room service menu, and private intimate buffets upon request. Snacks and drinks can also be enjoyed in the hotel’s superb lounge, and on cold evenings, guests can warm themselves in front of a roaring fire. We look forward to welcoming you soon.
For further details on Salisbury House, or to book directly, use the link below.
The Farmers Inn – Higher West Hatch, nr Taunton.
Tel no: 01823 480 480.
Situated in the rural splendour of Higher West Hatch, The Farmers Inn offers superior accommodation within easy reach of Taunton Racecourse and junction 25 of the M5. Originally built in the sixteenth century, The Farmers Inn has been refurbished to the highest of standards, and its mixture of country charm, outstanding service, and modern comfort has ensured it is one of only nineteen hotels in the whole of Somerset to be awarded a five star rating by Visit Britain.
The Farmers Inn offers five very spacious and luxurious rooms, each of which has been individually designed to provide a unique blend of antique furniture and wooden floors with the very best in modern comfort and amenities, including en suite facilities with roll top baths, remote controlled television and wi-fi access. All five rooms also offer superbly refreshing views over the Somerset Levels, and one even has its own courtyard.
The Farmers Inn restaurant is light and airy, and is the ideal place to enjoy a superb Somerset breakfast or one of the fine meals on offer on our lunch or dinner menus. Our chef uses the very best of locally sourced ingredients to produce imaginative and satisfying cuisine, and meals can be complimented by one of the fine wines from our list of hand picked vintages. Pre and after dinner drinks, along with tasty bar snacks, can be enjoyed amongst the comfort of the leather sofas and log fire of our atmospheric public bar,and for those who enjoy real ale, we have a fine selection of locally sourced ales and ciders.
For Taunton race-goers who desire the perfect combination of luxury accommodation and a country retreat, use the link below to make a reservation.
