Sussex Racecourses Goodwood Fontwell Park Plumpton Brighton Hickstead Lingfield Park

Brighton Racecourse

Brighton Racecourse is located just north of Kemp Town on the outskirts of Brighton city centre. Ample free parking is on-site and the Racecourse runs 20 race meetings annually as well as hosting numerous events which are often part of the many Brighton Festivals.

Race Fixtures run from April to October at this popular southern seaside course. A highlight of the Brighton Racecourse year is the August Festival which includes the famous Brighton Mile fixture and Ladies Day. Brighton Races also include special race meets in conjunction with festivals, for example the Brighton & Hove Food Festival Raceday in September. A free shuttle bus service runs regularly between Brighton Station and Brighton Racecourse and children under 16 accompanied by an adult enter free! Extensive hospitality facilities for events are on-site as well as several food outlets and the acclaimed Silks Restaurant and Balcony Bar.

Brighton Racecourse, Freshfield Road, Brighton, East Sussex, BN2 9XZ. Tel. 01273 603 580. For information on forthcoming fixtures and events which include party nights and exhibitions checkout Brighton Racecourse's webguide.

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Lingfield Park Racecourse

Just north of the Surrey and Sussex Border and East Grinstead sits Lingfield Park Racecourse, one of Europe's busiest racecourses hosting around 90 meets annually (2008 saw 91 meets). The Polytrack covers the full range of Turf Flat, Turf National Hunt and all-Weather Flat Racing. Racing is all year round at Lingfield Park unlike some racecourses. A golf club is also on-site and the course is a mere 30 miles from central London.

The Racecourse dates from 1890 when it was first opened by the Prince of Wales, later Edward VII. Note the Prince of Wales feathers in Lingfield's logo. Extensive corporate, conference, wedding and leisure event facilities are on-site. Under Arena Leisure plc which also owns Folkestone, Doncaster, Royal Windsor and Wolverhampton Racecourses, exciting developments are planned at Lingfield Park including more new stands and a luxury leisure country club hotel under Marriott.

Lingfield Park Racecourse & Golf Club, Racecourse Road, Lingfield, Surrey RH7 6PQ. Tel. 01342 834800.

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Fontwell Park Racecourse

Voted the best small racecourse in the South East for the last 17 years by the Racegoers Club, Fontwell Park Racecourse caters for all racing tastes including a choice of superb family race days. There is jump racing here at Fontwell all year round (except July), with top fixtures featuring the Countryside Race Day in February, family days in March, May, September and October and Super Irish Saturday in October with The Big Autumn Race Day in November. Children under 15 enter Fontwell Park for free and on family days expect plenty going on for children including bouncy castles, face painting, funfair rides and a pet's corner! For family race days and a friendly welcome and atmosphere, Fontwell is one of the best.

Fontwell Park sits conveniently mid-way between Arundel and Chichester off the A27 and alongside all year round horse racing fixtures, Fontwell is also a Sussex hotspot for concerts and large outdoor events and boasts extensive hospitality facilities. The course is acclaimed or its unique figure of eight track which boosts the drama of jump racing here. Fontwell is the only National Hunt course to be laid out in such a way. Choose from a mix of mid-week, weekend and evening fixtures which are often combined with other entertainment including tribute band concerts and always lots of entertainment for children.

Fontwell Park dates from 1924 and the number of race fixtures has grown massively from just four in 1924 to 23 in 2006 and still growing. Fontwell is a popular choice for conference events, parties and weddings. Restaurant, bar and food outlet facilities are numerous including the acclaimed Silks Restaurant in the Premier Enclosure, a wide choice of Bars in the Premier, Grandstand and Paddock Enclosures and food outlets for Seafood, Indian cuisine and hotdogs, burgers, carvery and more.

Fontwell Park Racecourse, Fontwell, West Sussex, BN18 0SX. Tel. 01243 543335. Within the grounds of Fontwell Park Racecourse is the popular famous inn The Old Stables, renowned for its fine food and fare and offering a superb selection of fine ales. The Old Stables at Fontwell is open daily Monday to Saturday 11am to 11pm and on Sundays 11am to 10.30pm. Food is served all day Monday to Saturday until 10pm and on Sunday until 9.30pm. Tel. 01243 543 082.

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Hickstead Show Jumping & Plumpton Racing

The home of British show jumping is Hickstead situated just west of Burgess Hill off the A23 London to Brighton Road. World renowned, particularly for its annual June British Jumping Derby Meeting, the Derby Bank on the course is legendary.

Other highlights on the Hickstead show jumping calendar include The Longines Royal International Horse Show in July - the official horse show of the British Horse Society and the Hurstpierpoint College National Schools & Pony Club Championships in August. Hickstead has also played host to the European Dressage Championship and is essentially leading the way in the ever increasing popularity of dressage - the gymnastic training of horses. Hickstead has also been expanded and offers extensive polo facilities on-site as well as opportunities for both weddings and conferences.

Just over into East Sussex south of Burgess Hill sits the popular small jump racecourse Plumpton which hosts around 16 National Hunt meetings between September and May. Fixtures include the September Ladies Day and Easter Monday Meeting. Extensive hospitality, wedding and parties facilities are on-site.

The All England Jumping Course, Hickstead, West Sussex RH17 5NU. Tel. 0871 919 3583. Plumpton Racecourse, Plumpton, East Sussex, BN7 3AL Telephone: 01273 890383

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Goodwood Racecourse & Glorious Goodwood

It's the social angle, referred to by Edward VII as 'a garden party with racing tacked on', combined with the best of European horse racing that gives Goodwood Racecourse a particular edge. A busy fixture list of races run through the summer season from May to October. In 2008 Goodwood held 22 race days, with 23 race days on offer for 2009. Continuous innovation at Goodwood has meant a consistent increase in race days and despite the ever growing popularity of Motor Sport and Golf at Goodwood, it is Goodwood Racecourse that remains the 'jewel' of the estate. A choice of restaurants located within each enclosure are on-site with the Charlton Hunt Restaurant in the Richmond Enclosure affording spectacular views of the racing whilst more informal dining is at the Horsewalk Carvery ideally positioned near the Horsewalk. Children under 17 accompanied by an adult enter Goodwood free of charge and a creche is available in the Gordon Enclosure during the Glorious Goodwood event. Family Days are also a regular feature and see details of the GG Fun Club via the Goodwood Estate's webguide. Hospitality facilities are extensive, also detailed in full via the Goodwood Racecourse webguide, with a range of options to suit all budgets and tastes.

Three Enclosures are at Goodwood including the famous Richmond Enclosure alongside the Gordon and Lennox Enclosures. The Richmond Enclosure is open to all visitors except during Glorious Goodwood when the area, which includes the March and Charlton Stands, is open to members and their guests only. The Gordon Enclosure is Goodwood's main enclosure, popular with celebrities and incorporating the Sussex Grandstand and the Paddock, Parade Ring and Winners' Enclosure. The Lennox Enclosure offers superb views of the home straight towards the Winning Post. Comprehensive details of catering facilities, admission prices and Tote pools are via the Goodwood Racecourse webguide.

For Race meets gates open 11.30am for all afternoon meetings except for Glorious Goodwood when gates open earlier at 11am. For Evening meetings gates open at 4.30pm. Free car and coach parking is available for all meetings on-site. See Goodwood admissions details via the website for the location of car parks and disabled car parking.

Goodwood Racecourse, Goodwood, Chichester, West Sussex. PO18 0PS. Freephone: 00 44 (0)800 018 8191. Telephone. 00 44 (0)1243 755022.

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