Forget Ascot racecourse - this is an original. Everything is…read morewell worn and well used but that makes it better. The cafe is shabby looking but good food. The track is fine and the horses seem to like it. This racecourse if for proper horseracing and betting fans. There is no need to dress up in your finery and if you did you would look silly. This is a good racetrack and a good day out especially for families as there is a lot of area to run about in on a nice day. I recommend this racecourse as it is a proper racecourse and not fancy atall, so dig out your wellies and get down there.

Bath Racecourse is a distinctly average flat course and has ideas above its station. The racecourse…read moreis one of the highest in the country and due to its exposed position on the top of a hill the course drains quickly and is whipped dry by the wind. As a result the conditions are often quite firm, so you rarely get good quality horses here, though very occasionally you get some interesting maiden races with good owners/trainers represented. The stands and facilities are quite shabby, and if you go in the main grandstand on the popular meets it is really crowded and takes ages to be served at the bar. They charge extra for their 'feature' meetings, but these are just their popular meets on summer evenings/weekends, when they have a tribute band playing after racing, or it is one of their 'family fun days', or ladies evening. On the odd occasion that I do still come here (and I used to have annual membership) I go to a mid-week 'standard' meeting. However, my recommendation would be to hop on the train or zip down the M4 to Newbury. For £1 LESS than a Bath feature meeting (2009 prices) you can go to the Spring Trials Day at Newbury which includes Group standard racing, and one of the main trials races for the 2,000 Guineas and the food and facilities are much better too.