Bath Racecourse Guide

Welcome to our official guide to Bath Racecourse.

We explore this stunning West Country racecourse in detail, examining its history, a guide to the race track, top local hotel recommendations, fixtures, travel information, and betting guides. This proud West Country racecourse is one of the most beautiful in the UK.

If you are looking for the latest betting tips for Bath, check out our complete guide to Bath Racecourse tips.

Find out more about Bath Racecourse:

Overview of Bath Racecourse

Bath Racecourse is situated just three-and-a-half miles north of the spa city of Bath, and five miles from Bristol.

It is a small but perfectly formed racecourse, and despite its size, it has cemented its place as one of the most essential racecourses in Britain.

The Lansdown plateau on which it’s set is picturesque, making it a popular course for attendees to enjoy a ‘countryside picnic’.

The spa city of Bath is popular with a middle-class tourist demographic, and Bath Racecourse is no different.

Despite its size, it remains one of the top flat racing courses in the country and interestingly is also the highest, at some 780ft above sea level (there are two National Hunt courses higher, however: Hexham and Exeter).

The racecourse’s popularity with tourists means that refurbishments and investments have looked to balance modern hospitality with a traditional ‘English racing’ feel – and the owners of the venue, the Arena Racing Company, have done so brilliantly. Millions of pounds have been invested by ARC, with the most recent round seeing development completed back in 2016.

The dining and hospitality options are second-to-none; perhaps unexpected for a course of this size.

The Bath Racecourse track is a flat, sharp left-handed oval, set on a hill with fantastic views of the city of Bath below. Its hilltop location means that weather and wind can often be challenging. The track measures one mile, four furlongs and 25 yards long, with a half-mile-long run-in. Even though it’s already up a hill, the finish is uphill too, so this isn’t a course to be taken lightly.

Nineteen racedays are held at Bath Racecourse annually, with lots of other events happening too. Its popularity with tourists means that it is primarily focused on punter-attracting minor race meets, but there are one or two notable events in the calendar.

Bath Racecourse’s scenic surroundings also make it popular as a wedding and celebration venue, with it being booked up years ahead for private non-racing events! Bath racecourse offers a range of possibilities.

Bath Racecourse History

Records of horseracing in the city of Bath go back as far as 1728, albeit not quite in the exact location as it is held today.

The first instance of racing on the current course dates to 1811, when a local family, the Blathwayts, held a two-day race meet. For many years, this was the only annual event, but as the popularity of horse racing grew and the sport became more mainstream, the venue expanded its racing calendar.

The course, as all others in Britain, took a temporary break from horseracing during World War II, when it was used as a landing strip for the RAF.

Bath Racecourse hit headlines in 1953 when it became the venue for a criminal plot. A gang sourced a near-identical horse to one running at odds 10-1 and substituted it, knowing it was considerably faster. They heavily bet on the substitute and then damaged the venue’s power supply, knowing it would cause confusion. Their horse won easily, but bookmakers became suspicious of the rapid and high betting levels and contacted the authorities. The gang were subsequently all arrested and brought to justice.

In 2016, the most recent development of the course was finished, and the new Langridge Grandstand opened. This included a canopied roof garden and wedding license, which has led to Bath Racecourse becoming a popular fixture on the local wedding scene.

Bath Racing Tips

What are the Bath Racecourse Fixtures for 2026?

The fixtures for Bath 2026 are:

5/4/2026	Bath	Sunday
17/4/2026	Bath	Friday
27/4/2026	Bath	Monday
4/5/2026	Bath	Monday
13/5/2026	Bath	Wednesday
22/5/2026	Bath	Friday
5/6/2026	Bath	Friday
13/6/2026	Bath	Saturday
1/7/2026	Bath	Wednesday
15/7/2026	Bath	Wednesday
31/7/2026	Bath	Friday
15/8/2026	Bath	Saturday
26/8/2026	Bath	Wednesday
2/9/2026	Bath	Wednesday
12/9/2026	Bath	Saturday
13/9/2026	Bath	Sunday
29/9/2026	Bath	Tuesday
8/10/2026	Bath	Thursday
19/10/2026	Bath	Monday
29/10/2026	Bath	Thursday

Bath Racecourse Map

Below is a map of Bath Racecourse:

Bath is a left-handed course.

The round course is a long, oval-shaped course that is just over 1.5 miles in circumference.

The home straight is 4 furlongs with a steady rise and turn.

It is galloping in nature, so often a strong stayer or the ability to see the trip out is very important.

It is the highest flat racecourse in the country and lacks a watering facility, so that the ground can become very firm during a dry summer.

Is there a draw bias at Bath Racecourse?

At Bath racecourse, there is a slight draw bias favouring low numbers over 5 furlongs. The bias appears to be stronger in larger fields, with lower-drawn horses performing better.

However, the bias is not as significant as it is in other courses, and soft ground can negate the advantage of being drawn low. The course is very sharp and undulating, with tight turns, which can make it difficult for horses drawn wide to maintain their position.

Over 1 mile at Bath, there does not appear to be any significant draw bias. The nature of the course, with long straights and sweeping turns, means that there are ample opportunities for horses to get into a good position, regardless of their draw.

However, being drawn wide can be a disadvantage, as it can be challenging to maintain a good position on the tight bends.

What is the Draw Bias at Bath 5 Furlongs?

Upon analysing the data, it appears that there is a significant draw bias at Bath Racecourse over 5 furlongs, with high-drawn horses being favoured.

This is unexpected, considering that the course runs on a left-handed dogleg, where one would think the inside low-drawn runners would be at an advantage.

However, the stats indicate otherwise, and it seems that horses drawn high have a better chance of winning. Soft ground does not seem to affect the draw bias either.

It is essential to note that this draw bias has been identified and may already be taken into account in the odds offered by bookmakers.

As a result, simply backing high-drawn horses may not necessarily lead to profitable results. Further analysis may be required to identify any other factors that could impact the race outcome, such as the horse’s running style or form.

What is the Draw Bias at Bath 1 Mile?

After analysing the data, it appears that there is a slight bias towards high-drawn runners over a mile at Bath racecourse. This is surprising, as it was initially thought that low numbers would have an advantage due to the start being on a left-handed chute.

However, this is not the case, and high-drawn runners seem to have an edge. This trend is consistent with the other race distances at Bath, as high-drawn runners tend to have an advantage.

The ground conditions do not appear to affect the draw bias over a mile at Bath significantly. Therefore, it is essential to consider the position of the horse in the draw when placing bets.

It is worth noting that although there is a slight bias towards high numbers, the advantage is not significant, and it is still possible for horses drawn in lower numbers to win over a mile at Bath.

The Main Races and Events Held at Bath Racecourse

The two main events at Bath Racecourse are the Lansdown Fillies’ Stakes and the Beckford Stakes.

The former takes place in April annually and is run over five furlongs and ten yards. Established in 1999, it recently celebrated its 20th anniversary and is easily the most attended race at Bath Racecourse.

The latter is held every October and is a listed flat race run over one mile and four furlongs. It was created in 2016 as a new listed race and has already gained such popularity that it’s become a firm fixture in Bath’s schedule and is renowned by all ‘in the industry’.

The Dick Hern Fillies’ Stakes was one of Bath’s most popular race meets but was moved to Haydock Park in 2011.

Bath Racecourse Address

The address of Bath Racecourse is:

Bath Racecourse
Lansdown
Bath
BA1 9BU

How To Get To Bath Racecourse

The most popular ways to get to Bath Racecourse are:

• By car – Bath Racecourse is well signposted on all main roads from both Bath and Bristol and offers free car parking year-round (with the choice to upgrade to priority parking for a fee on race days). The address for your sat nav is Bath Racecourse, Lansdown, Bath, BA1 9BU.
• By rail – the nearest rail station is Bath Spa, which is about a 15-minute cab ride away and takes only 10 minutes from Bristol.
• By air – passengers are best to arrive at Bristol International Airport, less than 20 miles away, and the on-site helipad can be booked in advance.

Hotels near Bath Racecourse

Nearby Bath is a wonderful place to visit and stay. It’s quite a tourist destination, so you may find you need to book well in advance if you are going to enjoy Bath horse racing, but check out The Bear, The Z Hotel and The Harington’s Hotel.

You’ll find all of the usual chain hotels in the city, too (and in nearby Bristol, where you may see greater availability).

Local Bath Betting Shops

Here are the local bookmakers closest to Bath Racecourse:

• William Hill bookmakers – 11, Fountain Buildings, Bath BA1 5DU
• Betfred betting shop – 5 Walcot St, Bath BA1 5BN
• Coral bookmakers – Westpoint, Unit C, Avon St, Bath BA1 1UN

If you’re looking for more betting shops near you, check out our dedicated page, which features an interactive UK betting shop map.

On Course Bookmakers at Bath’s Racecourse

You’ll find Tote shops and traditional bookmakers’ shops on-site at Bath Racecourse, as well as independent bookmakers outside the Langridge Grandstand. It is a vibrant racecourse close to two incredible cities, Bath and Bristol.

These on-course bookies at Bath are the best part of the betting experience; the best odds on every race are worth the search for.

Check out our guide for the complete list of UK horse racing fixtures.

Bath Racecard

The racecards for the Bath races are released the day before the races take place. Find out where to view racecards here – tomorrow’s racecards and today’s racecards. In these, you will get an advanced look at all the runners and riders. Some people prefer to do this and select their horses before arriving at the track.

You can also, of course, purchase a racecard from the track, which carries much of the same helpful information.

Other Events Held at Bath Racecourse

Bath hosts a whole range of non-horseracing events, including live music gigs, weddings and themed occasions.

Their ‘Gin and Fizz’ tasting evenings are exceptionally popular for those looking for a bit of a different night out, second only to ‘Rum and Reggae’!

Bath Racecourse is also a highly popular wedding venue and is often booked up several years in advance.

You can experience exceptional hospitality in the Somerset countryside here.

Fun Facts About Bath Racecourse

• Bath Racecourse is a racing venue located in the Avon Valley near Bath, in Somerset, England.
• The course is a left-handed oval of about 1 mile 6 furlongs (2.4 km) in circumference.
• The first recorded race meeting at Bath was in 1728.
• The course was used for racing in the 18th and early 19th centuries, but racing ceased in 1839 due to the growth of racing at nearby Bristol.
• Racing at Bath resumed in 1884, and the current grandstand was built in 1903.

Summary of Bath Racecourse

Bath is a stunning and historic city.

Popular with tourists and locals alike, it is the highest course in the country, offering stunning views over the beautiful city.

A visit to the city is always super, and we highly recommend combining a race meeting with a few days’ stay.

Quality racing and a quintessentially English feel make sure Bath is on your to-do list!