Family Fun Day

Tickets are available online or on the day at the course. Up to 40% discount is available for tickets booked online in advance, compared to the gate price, by 12noon the day before the meeting. Accompanied children under the age of 18 are admitted free. Proof of age may be requested.

Group discounts (for groups of 20 or more) of £3 are available for advanced online ticket price. This excludes other promotions such as 2-for-1 or free race days.

For all the info on annual membership please follow this link.

Taunton has one enclosure, with excellent views of the course. The admission ticket allows access to all areas other than the members and private hospitality boxes. This includes the Grandstand and Paddock, Parade Ring/Winners Enclosure and Saddle Room Restaurant. Ticket Holders can move freely over to the centre course at the track crossing point. The Centre Course is situated on the opposite side of the finishing straight. There are restricted facilities in the centre course. Picnic tables, toilets and catering facilities are available.

Taunton Racecourse benefits from excellent drainage and race meetings are very seldom abandoned. In the very unlikely event of abandonment, a full refund is offered should no racing take place. If racing is abandoned after the first race but before the third, a 50% refund will be offered. No refunds are available if racing is abandoned after the third race. Refunds cannot be issued on the day itself. All refunds must be claimed within 28 days of the race meeting. Racegoers should send their ticket with full name and address details to Taunton Racecourse, Orchard Portman, Taunton, Somerset TA3 7BL

Directions to the racecourse can be found by following this link.

Free parking is provided off the main road on the approach to the racecourse from the town centre.

The course is approximately 2 miles from the town centre. Adventurous racegoers may enjoy the walk, but note that there is no footpath on the approach to the course.

A bus, which is free for racegoers to use, leaves Taunton Train Station 90 minutes before the first race, and returns to the station 30 minutes after the start of the last race. Please click HERE for the location map, the bus will leave from  Position A on the map, below Platform 5. Everyone who arrives by bus will be given a voucher to allow them to travel back on the bus. If there are any spare seats on the returning bus, these will be allocated on a first come first served basis.

Racing at Taunton is played out in front of a stunning backdrop, with views across to the Blackdown Hills, an area of outstanding natural beauty. Taunton is ideally located for many of the top Westcountry trainers, including David Pipe, Paul Nicholls, Alan King and Phillip Hobbs, who regularly send their promising recruits to the course en route to bigger prizes. Recent champions who progressed through the ranks via Taunton include Rooster Booster, 2003 Champion Hurdler, Well Chief, multiple Grade 1 winner who made his chasing debut at Taunton just 6 weeks prior to scoring in the Arkle at the Cheltenham Festival, and Our Vic, winner of the Charlie Hall Chase and 2008 winner of the Ryanair chase. Other high class horses to grace Taunton in recent seasons include Seebald, Ashley Brook, Penzance, Valirimix, Desert Quest, Acambo, as well as countless others. Come to Taunton and witness future stars!.

Taunton stages races under the National Hunt code, which requires the horses to negotiate jumps. There are two types of jumps race; steeplechases, with four foot six inch high fences, and hurdles races, with smaller, three foot six inch high obstacles. Races at Taunton are run from distances as short as 2 miles, up to 3 miles 3 furlongs. A day’s racing at Taunton will involve a mix of hurdle and steeplechases over varying distances. At some race meetings, the last race may be a National Hunt flat race, known as a ‘bumper’, which is a race involving no obstacles, intended to provide future jumpers with racecourse experience.

Taunton always stages at least 6 races, and many of our fixtures are scheduled to stage 7. Occasionally, such as when there is a wealth of entries in a novice hurdle, the race is split into two divisions, increasing the number of scheduled races. In these circumstances, the last race time is subject to alteration.

Taunton has no dress code. We recommend you dress for the weather. Sensible footwear is advised. The Management encourages annual members, patrons of the restaurant and racegoers in the hospitality suites to dress smartly.

Gates open 2 hours before the first race. Arriving in good time before racing starts allows time to soak up the atmosphere, explore the course, to enjoy a drink in the bars or perhaps a meal in the restaurant. We recommend you arrive at least an hour before racing.

These depend on the time of year. Follow this link for further information.

You are welcome to take photographs for non-commercial use, but please note that no flash photography is permitted near the horses. Any users with professional level photography equipment must register at the Racecourse Office prior to the start of any raceday.

Dogs are welcome into the centre of the course but must be on a lead and under control at all times. With the exception of guide dogs, no dogs are permitted on the grandstand side of the course.

A racecard is an essential guide to the day’s racing, providing details about the race conditions, the horses, trainers and jockeys. Racecards are sold at various kiosks around the course and currently cost £3.00 or book in advance and save up to 20%

Going to the races and selecting your horse(s) is all part of the fun, and the feeling of victory is a real thrill as your selection passes the winning post first – even if you have only won a few pounds – it doesn’t matter! However, a good rule is only bet what you can afford to lose and if you get a win or two to cover your day out, or if you make a bit of profit, then that is a big bonus! Racecards are available at each of the enclosure entrances. Buying a racecard is a good idea, as the racecard includes helpful information about the names and recent form of all the runners, with details of who is riding them and who trains them and a brief summary of their chances. The racecards are in full colour so the jockey’s silks will also be detailed. The racecard includes other information to help you enjoy your day. If you are in the Paddock or Orchard Stand go the pre-parade ring and parade ring before the race to view the horses being led around. The horses generally start to appear in the main parade ring about 15 minutes before the race time. Here you can view them at close hand which will assist you making a selection for the race. WHAT ARE THE BETTING OPTIONS AND WHAT IS THE MINIMUM BET? Betting can be with bookmakers or ‘bookies’ as they are often known; at totepool betting windows or in the racecourse betting shop operated by William Hill. The totepool betting windows are located in numerous locations around the course. The minimum win bet is £2, and minimum each way bet (win and place) is £2 each way, which costs £4. The are many other types of bets, most of which are perfectly straightforward to beginner’s. The racecard will include details of these bets or don’t hesitate to ask a member of the staff, at the window, for assistance. The bookmakers are located in front of the Orchard Stand. Some bookmakers will accept £2 minimum bets and others £5. A bookmaker wants you to bet with him, so don’t be scared to ask for advice about betting if you are unsure. The William Hill racecourse betting shop is located under the Orchard Stand and it is here where smaller bets can be placed. The betting shop offers services similar to those available in any normal high street betting shop. Again, staff in the shop will assist any inexperienced racegoers.

Hot food and drinks are available in all stands. Plated meals are available in the Saddle Room of the Orchard Stand, with no booking required. Additionally, there is an À la carte restaurant with carvery in the Orchard Stand, with reservations available in advance on 01823 337172, Option 4. Annual members have access to the Members Restaurant in the Paddock Stand, with a set lunch of two courses. Bars are located in all stands.

Taunton makes every effort to cater for racegoers with additional Accessibility needs. Clearly designated parking areas are provided next to the town-centre end entrance, and in the centre of the course. A raised viewing platform is provided between the paddock and the racecourse and the Orchard Stand viewing. Step free access is available to all floors in the Orchard and Paddock stands. A disabled person should purchase a Raceday Ticket in advance either online or by phone. Companion tickets are then available for collection on the day from the Gate House at the Main Entrance or at The Taunton End. On the day Tickets for racing can be bought at the Racecourse entrances, Companion tickets are available at both entrances. Our Accessibility Guide can be found HERE

We have a dedicated owners page – please follow this link for all the info

Taunton offers a range of hospitality packages to suit families, friends and business. Further information can be found via this link.