Stratford Racecourse

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Welcome to our official guide to Stratford Racecourse.

We explore this racecourse in detail, looking at its history, the main races, a guide to the unique track, local hotel picks, fixtures, travel information, and betting guides.

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

Find out more about Stratford Racecourse:

Stratford 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 and is 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 been to the races before.

This makes it one of the most well-attended courses in the UK because of its broad appeal, even though it’s a small venue and not one that features notable prestigious races.

Having a picnic in the centre of the race track is considered a ‘must’ amongst those attending and considered 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, triangular in 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 gained it a good standing for its business and conferencing facilities, hospitality suites and dining options.

A variety of dining and bar options are on offer for all, catering for all tastes, budgets and dietary requirements.

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 until racing was fully and formally documented, notably because a celebrity at the time, David Garrick, formed a partnership with the close and founded a three-day meeting for a trophy in his (named) 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 of their crops being spoiled by horses and attendees alike. 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 of the on-site restaurants in 1965.

Main Races and Events at Stratford Upon Avon Racecourse

There are several fixtures in the calendar that 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:

Stratford Racecourse Map

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 a number of ways to get to the Stratford races:

  • 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 (although due to the informal nature of the course, many choose to walk).
  • 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!

Hotels Near Stratford Racecourse

The town is a tourist destination in its own right, so there are plenty of hotel options around.

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 in 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.

Best Stratford Races Betting Sites

At British Racecourses we often recommend betting online and via apps. This is because you can often get the best odds, great offers when signing up and you can place bets quickly and safely without having to queue. Other perks include free live horse racing streaming and varied bookmaker deposit options such as Apple pay betting sites, Paypal betting sites and more.

All of the above can be found in our top UK betting sites list.

Other Events Held at Stratford Upon Avon Racecourse

Two of Stratford other biggest events are their annual Family Day and annual Ladies’ Day.

The Family Day incorporates a range of different activities and child-friendly attractions, and Ladies’ Day sees the course take on an unusually more formal dress code.

Stratford Races 2024

Here is the list fixture racing calendar for Stratford Races in 2024:

DateRacecourseWeekday
11/3/2024Stratford-On-AvonMonday
6/4/2024Stratford-On-AvonSaturday
21/4/2024Stratford-On-AvonSunday
9/5/2024Stratford-On-AvonThursday
19/5/2024Stratford-On-AvonSunday
31/5/2024Stratford-On-AvonFriday
1/6/2024Stratford-On-AvonSaturday
18/6/2024Stratford-On-AvonTuesday
2/7/2024Stratford-On-AvonTuesday
14/7/2024Stratford-On-AvonSunday
21/7/2024Stratford-On-AvonSunday
27/8/2024Stratford-On-AvonTuesday
7/9/2024Stratford-On-AvonSaturday
7/10/2024Stratford-On-AvonMonday
19/10/2024Stratford-On-AvonSaturday
31/10/2024Stratford-On-AvonThursday

Check out our guide for the full list of UK horse racing fixtures in 2024.

Stratford Racecard

The racecards for Stratford races will be released the day before the races are set to happen. You can view full racecards in advance, check out  – tomorrow’s horse racing meetings and today’s horse racing meetings. In these, you will get an advance look at all the runners, trainers, form and riders.

You can also of course purchase a racecard from the track which carries much of the same useful information. Many like to keep these as souvenirs, especially from big horse racing events.

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 tracks 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 races are well run and exciting, if not strictly of the highest quality.

A fun, informal feel, great customer service and very well priced options in all areas (Club, Tattersalls and Centre Course) – it comes highly recommended with the teams here.

Other Racecourses in The UK and Ireland

Our team as of March 2024 have reviewed these racecourses that are also worth a visit: