Chepstow Racecourse Guide

Chepstow Racecourse Guide

Welcome to our official guide to Chepstow Racecourse.

We explore this renowned Welsh racecourse in detail, examining its history, a guide to the track, the best local hotel options, its packed fixture list, the Coral Welsh Grand National, travel information, news, and betting guides.

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

Find out more about Chepstow Racecourse:

Overview of Chepstow Racecourse

If you picture a racing meet in Wales, it’s safe to assume that thoughts will immediately turn to Chepstow. This famous course offers flat racing throughout the summer and National Hunt events during winter, most notably, it is the home of the Coral Welsh National.

Chepstow is the most prestigious racecourse in Wales, located in the historic town of the same name.

Chepstow is just 16 miles from Bristol, making it easily accessible from England via the Severn Bridge.

The racecourse, which covers 270 acres, is part of the Arena Racing Group.

The track runs for around 2 miles, bending to the left.

The racecourse hosts both flat and hurdle racing, with the events divided neatly by the calendar.

The jumps season opens with a bang in October and runs through to April.

Flat racing then commences in May and concludes in September of each year.

While flat racing was previously considered more prestigious, the arrival of the Welsh Grand National made jump racing the highlight of Chepstow’s calendar. It is typically run in December, and the going is often tough and gruelling at that time of year, making it a test of stamina for the horses. It is the most prestigious race meeting they hold.

As the most prestigious equestrian event in Wales, countless visitors flock to the racecourse for this meet every festive season. It is currently sponsored by Coral betting and is therefore known as the Coral Welsh Grand National.

Chepstow boasts many more events throughout the year, however, and is one of our favourite racecourses for its sense of fun and high-quality racing.

Chepstow Racecourse

What are the Chepstow Racecourse 2026 Fixtures?

The Chepstow racing fixtures for 2026 are:

DateRacecourseWeekdayCode
4/1/2026ChepstowSundayJump
27/1/2026ChepstowTuesdayJump
13/2/2026ChepstowFridayJump
21/2/2026ChepstowSaturdayJump
15/3/2026ChepstowSundayJump
26/3/2026ChepstowThursdayJump
2/4/2026ChepstowThursdayJump
11/4/2026ChepstowSaturdayJump
24/4/2026ChepstowFridayJump
12/5/2026ChepstowTuesdayFlat
21/5/2026ChepstowThursdayFlat
29/5/2026ChepstowFridayFlat
6/6/2026ChepstowSaturdayFlat
15/6/2026ChepstowMondayFlat
27/6/2026ChepstowSaturdayFlat
8/7/2026ChepstowWednesdayFlat
16/7/2026ChepstowThursdayFlat
24/7/2026ChepstowFridayFlat
6/8/2026ChepstowThursdayFlat
9/8/2026ChepstowSundayFlat
18/8/2026ChepstowTuesdayFlat
31/8/2026ChepstowMondayFlat
9/10/2026ChepstowFridayJump
10/10/2026ChepstowSaturdayJump
11/10/2026ChepstowSundayJump
4/11/2026ChepstowWednesdayJump
20/11/2026ChepstowFridayJump
5/12/2026ChepstowSaturdayJump
27/12/2026ChepstowSundayJump

Chepstow Horse Racing Tips

MeetingTimeNameAdd To Bet Slip
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No Race Fixtures found today

History of The Chepstow Racecourse

Chepstow endured a rocky start to life.

The course was officially opened in 1926, but it soon suffered foreclosure. It remained open thanks to a substantial bank loan, but financial struggles persisted for over a decade.

During WW2, due to the cessation of sporting events, the racecourse became an RAF outpost.

Following the signing of the Paris Peace Treaties, which officially concluded hostilities, the Welsh Grand National was relocated to Chepstow in 1949. This breathed new life into the racecourse.

On top of that, the completion of the M4 and Severn Bridge provided a further boost, making it more accessible to English equestrian enthusiasts as well as its homegrown fans.

The Main Races and Chepstow Meetings

Chepstow hosts 32 events each year, resulting in a packed calendar; however, the most prestigious of these is the Welsh Grand National, which typically takes place over the Christmas period. This is the richest race in Wales, with a prize fund of £150,000.

The Welsh National has created many memorable stories over the decades, one of the most famous being Dream Alliance, the story of which was turned into a movie and won a Sundance Festival Award!

Finale Juvenile Hurdle and The Wasdell Group Silver Trophy Handicap Hurdle Race are other big races for the course. 

Chepstow hosts an annual Easter Raceday and party. Depending on when Easter may fall in any given year, it is one of the most popular dates on their calendar and worth a visit. Precise dates and times are subject to change based on weather, circumstances and the foibles of the calendar, so it’s always advisable to keep an eye out for any amendments.

Unless otherwise stated by the event organisers, Chepstow operates a smart casual dress code.

Chepstow Racecourse Maps

There are two racecourses at Chepstow.

Chepstow Flat Racing Track

Below is the Chepstow jumps track:

Chepstow Racecourse Map
Courtesy of At The Races

The flat racing course is left-handed and undulating in nature – when you look down the home straight, you can see them.

The track is oval and is two miles around with a home straight of five furlongs.

Races up to one mile run on the straight course.

With its hilly nature, stamina is typically required, and the ability to see out a race is crucial.

Chepstow Racecourse Jumps Course

Below is the jumps course at Chepstow:

Chepstow Jumps Map
Courtesy of At The Races

The jumps course is obviously similar to the flat one in that it is left-handed, undulating and oval.

The two-mile course has 11 fences per circuit, and the run-in after the last is 250 yards (over a furlong).

Conditions in winter can be very testing, and the relatively long run after the last favours strong old-fashioned national hunt-type horses.

Chepstow Racecourse Address

The official Chepstow Racecourse is:

Chepstow Racecourse
Chepstow
Monmouthshire
NP16 6BE

How to Get To Chepstow Racecourse

The ways to get to Chepstow Racecourse are:

  • By road – it is located on the A466, linked to the west end of the Severn Bridge. You can reach it by leaving the M4 East at Junction 21 or the M4 West at Junction 23, where you’ll find yourself on the M48. From here, follow the many and plentiful road signs that direct visitors toward the racecourse. Details for your sat nav are Chepstow, Monmouthshire, NP16 6BE.
  • By train – if you’re using public transport, the nearest train station – unsurprisingly – is Chepstow. This station is served directly from a number of major cities; however, other travellers may need to change at Newport or Cheltenham Spa, depending on where the journey originated.
  • By bus – once you arrive in Chepstow, take a ten-minute stroll to the town’s bus station. From here, regular shuttle services transport passengers to and from the racecourse for a mere pound. If you’d prefer, you can travel on the same service from Newport for a slightly higher fee.
  • By air – flying into Chepstow is a little more awkward. You’ll need to land in Bristol or Cardiff and travel from there. Where possible, it will be more cost- and time-efficient to travel by road or rail.

Hotels Near Chepstow Racecourse

The racecourse is a major attraction in the historic town that shares its name, so accommodation is readily available. Look into the First Hurdle Guest House and the Beaufort Hotel first. Both of the venues are located within walking distance of the racecourse. The St. Pierre Marriott Hotel & Country Club is a little further afield but is a delightful venue.

One important thing to note is that Chepstow is a town, not a sprawling city.

The popularity of the racecourse means that accommodation can quickly fill up, while visitors also flock to Chepstow for its many and varied historical attractions. It’s advisable to book well in advance where possible.

If you need to base yourself further away, look at the neighbouring town of Tintern. You’ll find a range of B&Bs here.

Other Events Held at Chepstow Racecourse

The Racecourse is one of the few venues outside Cardiff to host musical performances from major artists – both domestic and international – in Wales.

Notable past performers include UB40, Madness and Simply Red, as well as local heroes Feeder and Tom Jones.

It can also be hired as an indoor venue. This makes it a popular wedding destination, as well as a venue for hosting private parties, other celebrations, and corporate events.

Chepstow Races

Chepstow Racecourse Facts and Figures

  • Chepstow Racecourse is situated in Chepstow, Wales, and is the oldest racecourse in the Country.
  • It was established in 1859 and is now the home of the Welsh Grand National, which is held annually in December.
  • Chepstow Racecourse has a capacity of 15,000 and is the only racecourse in Wales to have a grandstand.
  • The course is a left-handed oval of 1 mile and 4 furlongs, with a run-in of 4 furlongs.
  • The course is renowned for its steeplechase fences, which are among the most challenging in the country.
  • Chepstow Racecourse hosts a variety of races throughout the year, including flat races, steeplechases and hurdle races.
  • The course is also home to the Chepstow Summer Festival, held in June, which features a variety of entertainment.

Popular Questions

✅What do you wear to Chepstow races?

Chepstow races operates a smart-casual dress code within the Premier Enclosure. This means no trainers, sandals or flip-flops. Also no sportswear or rugby shirts are allowed.

✅Who owns Chepstow Racecourse?

Chepstow is owned and part of the Arena Racing Company which was formed in 2012 by the merger of Arena Leisure and Northern Racing.

✅How far is Chepstow racecourse from the train station?

Chepstow train station is 1.4 miles from the racecourse, so either a 25-minute walk or a short taxi ride.

✅How do you get to Chepstow Racecourse?

The ways to get to Chepstow races:

  • By road – it is found on the A466, linked to the west end of the Severn Bridge. You can reach it by leaving the M4 East at Junction 21 or the M4 West at Junction 23, details for your sat nav are Chepstow Monmouthshire, NP16 6BE.
  • By train – the nearest train station is Chepstow. This station is served directly from a number of major cities, though other travellers may need to change at Newport or Cheltenham Spa, depending on where the journey began.
  • By bus – once you arrive in Chepstow, take a ten-minute stroll to the town’s bus station. From here, regular shuttle services transport passengers to and from the racecourse for a mere pound. If you’d prefer, you can travel on the same service from Newport for a slightly higher fee.
  • By air – flying into Chepstow is a little more awkward. You’ll need to land in Bristol or Cardiff and travel from there. Where possible, it will be more cost- and time-efficient to travel by road or rail.

Summary of Chepstow Racing

The home of the Welsh National and a whole host of other great meetings throughout the year, Chepstow is a fantastic racecourse and the jewel in the crown of Welsh racing.

It’s a beautiful, picturesque course where stamina is at a premium.

Great facilities, customer service, and a sense of fun make the course popular with people of all ages, as well as seasoned racing fans and those just out for a good day.

We highly recommend it!

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July 2026