Welcome to our official guide to Stratford Racecourse.
We explore this racecourse in detail, examining its history, the primary races, a guide to the unique track, local hotel recommendations, fixtures, travel information, and betting guides.
If you are looking for the latest betting tips for Stratford, check out our complete guide to Stratford Racecourse tips.
Find out more about Stratford Racecourse:
Contents
- 1 Overview of Stratford-upon-Avon Racecourse
- 2 What are the Stratford-Upon-Avon Racecourse Fixtures for 2026?
- 3 Stratford Racing Tips
- 4 Stratford-upon-Avon Racecourse History
- 5 Main Races and Events at Stratford-upon-Avon Racecourse
- 6 Stratford Racecourse Map
- 7 Stratford-upon-Avon Racecourse Address
- 8 How To Get To Stratford Racecourse
- 9 Hotels Near Stratford Racecourse
- 10 Betting Shops Local to Stratford Racecourse
- 11 Other Events Held at Stratford-upon-Avon Racecourse
- 12 Popular Questions
- 13 Summary of Stratford-upon-Avon Racecourse
Overview of Stratford-upon-Avon Racecourse
Stratford-Upon-Avon Racecourse, commonly shortened to just Stratford Racecourse, is a thoroughbred horse racing venue that hosts jump racing across the summer months.
Stratford Racecourse is situated just 3km southwest of the Warwickshire town of Stratford-upon-Avon. It’s a popular course and one that’s known for its informal and accessible events, making it an easy ‘first-time’ British racecourse to visit for those who haven’t attended the races before.
This makes it one of the most well-attended courses in the UK, despite being a small venue and not hosting notable, prestigious races.
Having a picnic in the centre of the race track is considered a ‘must’ amongst those attending and is regarded as a rite of passage for locals.
A total of 17 jump meetings are run from March to November at Stratford Racecourse, all open to families and first-time attendees as well as more experienced racing fans.
The track is speedy, left-handed, and sharp, with a triangular shape. It’s had a high number of falls and unseats in its recent fixtures, and these are primarily due to the size of the fences rather than their toughness. Races here are very well run, and the water jump near the winning post is much feared. The horses that perform best are those that can jump quickly and accurately. It always makes for exciting spectatorship!
The picturesque nature of the racecourse’s surroundings has earned it a good reputation for its business and conferencing facilities, hospitality suites, and dining options.
A variety of dining and bar options are available for all, catering to different tastes, budgets, and dietary requirements.
What are the Stratford-Upon-Avon Racecourse Fixtures for 2026?
The Stratford racing fixtures for 2026 are:
| Date | Racecourse | Weekday |
|---|---|---|
| 9/3/2026 | Stratford-On-Avon | Monday |
| 28/3/2026 | Stratford-On-Avon | Saturday |
| 19/4/2026 | Stratford-On-Avon | Sunday |
| 17/5/2026 | Stratford-On-Avon | Sunday |
| 29/5/2026 | Stratford-On-Avon | Friday |
| 30/5/2026 | Stratford-On-Avon | Saturday |
| 16/6/2026 | Stratford-On-Avon | Tuesday |
| 29/6/2026 | Stratford-On-Avon | Monday |
| 30/6/2026 | Stratford-On-Avon | Tuesday |
| 12/7/2026 | Stratford-On-Avon | Sunday |
| 19/7/2026 | Stratford-On-Avon | Sunday |
| 20/8/2026 | Stratford-On-Avon | Thursday |
| 25/8/2026 | Stratford-On-Avon | Tuesday |
| 5/9/2026 | Stratford-On-Avon | Saturday |
| 5/10/2026 | Stratford-On-Avon | Monday |
| 17/10/2026 | Stratford-On-Avon | Saturday |
| 29/10/2026 | Stratford-On-Avon | Thursday |
Stratford Racing Tips
| Meeting | Time | Name | Add To Bet Slip |
|---|---|---|---|
| — | –:– | — | |
| No Race Fixtures found today |
Stratford-upon-Avon Racecourse History
Racing dates back to 1718 at Stratford, albeit at nearby Shottery Meadow, where a more informal racecourse was set.
It was almost 40 years later that racing was fully and formally documented, notably because a celebrity of the time, David Garrick, formed a partnership with the club and founded a three-day meeting to award a trophy in his honour.
Leamington Spa Racecourse was founded in 1835, just down the road, and although it hit a heyday locally in the late 1800s, it never hit the same level of success as its Stratford neighbour and so folded and closed in the early 1900s.
Racing lasted less than a decade at Shottery Meadow, as local farmers protested, complaining that both horses and attendees were spoiling their crops. Racing resumed a year later, and the Stratford Race Company was founded in the 1900s, which continues to administer and operate races at the course to this day!
A new grandstand was built in 1955, and the first on-site restaurant was established in 1965.
Main Races and Events at Stratford-upon-Avon Racecourse
Several fixtures in the calendar could be considered ‘main events’, but perhaps the biggest two are the Stratford Foxhunters’ Champion Chase and the Stratford Summer Cup.
The former is run over three and a half miles and takes place in May, usually during an evening meeting, and is considered the ‘third jewel’ in the Hunter Chase crown.
The latter is run over two miles and one furlong, takes place every July, and attracts crowds from all over the local area and further afield too, so it is best to book in advance for all enclosures – Club, Tattersalls and Centre Course.
Stratford Racecourse Map
Below is a map of Stratford Racecourse:
Racing takes place on a left-handed and sharp track; races tend to be well-run.
There is a water jump near the winning post; however, this is not jumped on the final circuit. Jockeys tend to strike for home soon because of the short straight.
Stratford-upon-Avon Racecourse Address
The official racecourse address of Stratford Racecourse is:
Stratford Racecourse
Luddington Road
Stratford-upon-Avon
CV37 9SE
How To Get To Stratford Racecourse
There are many ways to get to the Stratford races:
- By car, the racecourse is well signposted from the road. It’s a 15-minute drive from the M40 and about half an hour from the M5. The course is a 20-minute walk from the rail station, with a taxi rank available outside (although, due to the informal nature of the course, many students choose to walk).
- By air – the nearest airport is Birmingham, which is approximately a 40-minute drive away. Helicopters can land in the centre of the racecourse racetrack by prior arrangement.
- By rail – the racecourse was once served by its rail station, although information about it on the internet is often ambiguous. However, this station no longer exists and closed its doors for the final time in the late 1960s. Don’t be fooled by misinformation!
Hotels Near Stratford Racecourse
The town is a tourist destination in its own right, offering a variety of hotel options.
The two closest accommodation options to Stratford-upon-Avon Racecourse are The Hideaway, a private home available for rent, and 47 Wetherby Way, a B&B.
Other hotels include Midsummer House, a popular tourist hotel with all the necessary amenities; The Three Gables, a beautiful Tudor building; the Crowne Plaza Stratford-upon-Avon, a chain hotel with everything you’d expect as well as rooms available with views of the River Avon; and the Hotel du Vin, a bright and contemporary hotel with a fantastic bar.
Betting Shops Local to Stratford Racecourse
Betting facilities on-site at Stratford Upon Avon Racecourse are Totepool kiosks and independent track-side bookies.
Wi-Fi is available for online betting, and if you are using betting apps (UK).
Betting shops in Stratford include William Hill betting shops, Ladbrokes betting shops, Betfred betting shops and Coral betting shops, although as chains, they often focus primarily on racing at bigger and most prestigious courses than their local.
Other Events Held at Stratford-upon-Avon Racecourse
Two of Stratford’s other biggest events are their annual Family Day and yearly Ladies’ Day.
The Family Day incorporates a range of different activities and child-friendly attractions, while Ladies’ Day sees the course adopt an unusually formal dress code.
Popular Questions
✅ Who owns Stratford Racecourse?
Stratford Raceourse is owned by the Stratford Race Company founded in the 1900s.
✅ What is the address of Stratford Racecourse?
The address of Stratford Racecourse is:
Stratford Racecourse
Luddington Road
Stratford
CV37 9SE
✅ How do you get to Stratford races?
The ways to get to Stratford Racecourse are:
- By car – the racecourse is well signposted by road. It’s a 15-min drive from the M40 and about half-an-hour from the M5. The course is a 20-min walk from the rail station with a taxi rank available outside.
- By air – the nearest airport is Birmingham, which is approximately a 40-min drive away. Helicopters can land in the centre of the racecourse racetrack by prior arrangement.
- By rail – the racecourse was at one point served by its own rail station, which is often referred to as information on the internet about it is ambiguous. However, this station no longer exists and closed its doors for the final time in the late 1960s. Don’t be fooled by misinformation!
✅ What’s the best place to stay near Stratford Racecourse?
The best places to stay near Stratford Racecourse depends on your budget and time of year. Read our guide where we list all the best hotels.
Summary of Stratford-upon-Avon Racecourse
Stratford is a popular jumps track and one that is certainly worth a visit.
It is a very friendly and welcoming course and is very popular with friends and family looking to enjoy a day at the races.
The racing is often competitive, and the races are well-run and exciting, if not strictly of the highest quality.
A fun, informal atmosphere, excellent customer service, and very well-priced options in all areas (Club, Tattersalls, and Centre Course) – it comes highly recommended by the team here.
