Kelso Racecourse Guide

Welcome to our official guide to Kelso Racecourse.

We explore this racecourse in detail, examining its history, a guide to the tracks, hotel recommendations, fixtures, travel information, and betting guides.

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

Find out more about Kelso Racecourse:

Overview of Kelso Racecourse

Self-described as “Britain’s friendliest racecourse”, Kelso is certainly a relaxed, affordable and fun day out for the entire family.

Dedicated to National Hunt racing, this track offers jump meets from September through May and a warm welcome to all visitors.

Kelso is a hugely relaxed racecourse and popular course, unblemished by the accusations of elitism that plague some alternatives. Based in the small market town of Kelso, it is right on the border of England and Scotland.

The track itself is left-handed and largely flat, with hurdles evenly spaced. The key thing to look out for is stamina. Races often go down to the wire, and leaders can change in the blink of an eye.

There is no dress code at Kelso, beyond the typical requests to remain tasteful. The biggest priority should be weather-appropriate attire. As Kelso’s race unfolds primarily over the autumn and winter, it can grow cold and wet at the track. Sometimes, smarter attire is required in the parade ring.

What are the Kelso Horse Racing Fixtures for 2026?

The racing fixtures for Kelso in 2026 are:

Date	Racecourse	Weekday
11/1/2026	Kelso	Sunday
13/2/2026	Kelso	Friday
28/2/2026	Kelso	Saturday
21/3/2026	Kelso	Saturday
2/4/2026	Kelso	Thursday
20/4/2026	Kelso	Monday
6/5/2026	Kelso	Wednesday
24/5/2026	Kelso	Sunday
16/9/2026	Kelso	Wednesday
4/10/2026	Kelso	Sunday
24/10/2026	Kelso	Saturday
7/11/2026	Kelso	Saturday
6/12/2026	Kelso	Sunday
29/12/2026	Kelso	Tuesday

Kelso Racing Tips

History of Kelso Racecourse

Kelso has been hosting racing events since 1734, at a course located approximately five miles from the current location, known as Caverton Edge.

That site has long been demolished and built over, but the existing course – informally known as Berrymoss and formerly called The Duke’s Course – was first built in 1822.

Aside from an attempted arson attack in the name of the suffragette movement in 1913, Kelso has enjoyed a calm and unremarkable history.

It hosted flat meets until 1888 when the National Hunt rules were implemented. Since then, the course has hosted cosy but enjoyable jump meets for visitors of all ages.

Main Races and Kelso Races Meetings

Kelso’s race meet season begins in September and concludes the following May. There is a wide range of events and themed days at the track throughout this period.

• September – Kelso marks the dawn of a new racing season with a Charity Evening. As the name suggests, various good causes are funded during the course of this celebration, in addition to multiple National Hunt races.
• October – the Borderfest Raceday, a Saturday afternoon festival of National Hunt racing, is the highlight of October. Food, drink and music all accompany this fabulous day at the races.
• November at Kelso is defined by the Wishing Well Chase Day, perhaps unsurprisingly headlined by the Wishing Well Handicap Chase.
• December – the calendar year at Kelso ends with a bang. The Borders National Festive Family Day at the start of the month is a delight for all ages, including a visit from Santa Claus. Immediately before Hogmanay, there is also the Festive Fling to see out the year in style.
• January – things start to calm down. This month simply hosts two standard afternoon National Hunt race meets.
• February – February sees one standard National Hunt meet and Premier Hurdle Day, which is headlined by the Morebattle Hurdle and the Premier Chase. Premier Hurdle Day is arguably the biggest event in the Kelso calendar.
• March – one standard National Hunt meet and a second event, dubbed the Party in the Paddock, unfold in March. The latter is part of the Go North racing weekend, during which under-18s attend free, and visits to training yards are available. The Premier Kelso Hurdle headlines Party in the Paddock.
• April is a quiet month, with just one standard National Hunt racing meet.
• May starts with a typical National Hunt racing meet early in the month, but Ladies Day – and all the pomp and ceremony that surrounds such an occasion – rounds off the season toward the end of spring.

Be sure to investigate whether a racing event is going ahead before making arrangements, and check an official fixture list released by Kelso Racecourse directly.

All race meets are subject to change due to a wide array of external circumstances.

Kelso Racecourse Map

Below is a map of Kelso Racecourse:

Kelso is a left-handed and mainly flat course. It offers a fair test, even if it’s true to say that conditions can get tough in the winter months when the going can often turn soft or heavy.

Although it’s a track that is essentially sharp, stamina is required due to the nature of the ground and the fact that races tend to be well run.

The chase course is wider, with the hurdles course sitting inside it.

Kelso Racecourse Address

The official address of Kelso Racecourse is:

The Racecourse
Kelso
Roxburghshire
TD5 7SX

How to Get To Kelso Races

The ways to get to Kelso Races are:

• By road – Kelso is located right on the Scottish borders, so it’s comparatively simple to reach from both North and South. The postcode for Sat Nav is – TD5 7SX. If you’re travelling from England or Wales, head toward Newcastle. Leave the A1 and get onto the A696. Follow this road for a little under 30 miles, then turn right onto the A68. Eventually, you’ll need to take the A698, then the A6089 at a roundabout. The racecourse is around a mile beyond this exit. From Edinburgh, you’ll need to get onto the A68, then the A697. Eventually, you’ll need to turn onto the A6089. The track is signposted from here.
• By train, public transport is a little trickier. As Kelso is a small town, it does not have a dedicated train station. You’d need to travel to Tweedbank via Edinburgh. From here, you can take the Trace2Track shuttle service to Kelso Racecourse. This costs £6 and must be booked in advance.
• By bus: if you prefer, you can take a direct bus to Kelso from Berwick-upon-Tweed or Galashiels.

Hotels Near Kelso Racecourse

Kelso Racecourse is surrounded by three substantial hotels within a one-mile radius of its grounds.

Your first ports of call should be the Cross Keys Hotel (found in the heart of Kelso), The Queen’s Head (a pub, but breakfast is included in the price of your stay) or Ednam House (slightly costlier but boasting some stunning views).

If you’re prepared to spend a bigger, travel further and embrace some luxury, take a look at the Schloss Roxburghe Hotel. This castle-sized accommodation boasts its own golf course and a truly Scottish hospitality experience. It’s around four miles from the racecourse, though, so you’ll need a designated driver.

Other Events at Kelso Racecourse

Kelso Racecourse is too small to host any major external sporting events outside of racing meets. You will not find central music performances or similar events unfolding here. However, the venue is available for private hire.

Kelso Racecourse is a popular destination for weddings, parties and corporate events. The scenic surroundings certainly make for a pleasant environment. If you’re keen to pair up two sports into one visit, you can also visit the adjoining Kelso Golf Club and hit a few balls.

Summary of Kelso Racecourse

A rural, rugged but stunning racecourse on the Scottish borders, Kelso is a challenging national hunt course.

The going can get tough in the winter months for both horses and spectators.

It is a friendly and welcoming course, with charm and excellent customer service.

The races aren’t strictly top class, but they are well-contested and competitive.

If you’re looking for a great, fun, and relaxed day at the races, Kelso is a fantastic option.

A course we really like here at British Racecourses.