Welcome to our official guide to Taunton Racecourse.
We explore this great small jump racing racecourse in detail, examining its history, hotel recommendations, fixtures, travel information, and betting guides.
Taunton Racecourse is a thoroughbred horse racing venue located two miles south of Taunton, Somerset, England. Other racecourses in South West England include Newton Abbott Racecourse, Wincanton Racecourse and Exeter Racecourse.
Taunton Race Course is the youngest National Hunt course in England and the last racecourse to open in Britain.
If you are looking for the latest betting tips for Taunton, check out our complete guide to Taunton Racecourse tips.
Find out more about Taunton Racecourse:
Contents
- 1 Overview of Taunton Racecourse
- 2 What are the Taunton Racecourse Fixtures for 2026?
- 3 Taunton Racing Tips
- 4 Taunton Racecourse History
- 5 Main Races and Events At Taunton Racecourse
- 6 Taunton Racecourse Map
- 7 Taunton Racecourse Address
- 8 How To Get To Taunton Racecourse
- 9 Hotels near Taunton Racecourse
- 10 Betting Shops Local to Taunton Racecourse
- 11 Other Events Held at Taunton Racecourse
- 12 Popular Questions
- 13 Summary of Taunton Racecourse
Overview of Taunton Racecourse
Taunton Racecourse is the youngest National Hunt racing venue in England, and until 2008, when Great Leighs Racecourse was built (and later, Ffos Las), was the youngest in the country. However, despite its youth, the area has a rich history of racing, and it remains a popular destination for racegoers to visit.
Taunton Racecourse was constructed in 1927 and is set in the heart of the Somerset countryside in the village of Orchard Portman, just two miles south of Taunton itself.
Taunton Racecourse hosts 15 National Hunt races annually and has diversified as a venue to offer a range of conferencing, business, and event facilities in recent years. Indeed, although the town of Taunton is fairly well-known, it is not particularly large, and this versatility gives it popularity in the local area.
The track itself at Taunton is a right-handed oval course with two long straights and two tight turns, measuring about a mile and two furlongs. The track features both fences and open ditches to jump, and is by no means an easy course to tackle.
Part of the track was redeveloped in the 1960s when the nearby M5 motorway was built – the removed earth from the road area was transported to the track and extended the straights and strengthened the turns.
Racing is held at Taunton from January to May before taking a summer break and resuming in October.
Traditional spectator facilities are present as you’d expect, and there are three dining options – two of which have gained popularity locally for wedding reception dining as well as regular race day hospitality!
Taunton Racecourse remains independently owned and managed – a rarity for British horseracing venues these days.
What are the Taunton Racecourse Fixtures for 2026?
The Taunton racing fixtures for 2026 are:
| Date | Racecourse | Weekday |
|---|---|---|
| 8/1/2026 | Taunton | Thursday |
| 17/1/2026 | Taunton | Saturday |
| 3/2/2026 | Taunton | Tuesday |
| 12/2/2026 | Taunton | Thursday |
| 26/2/2026 | Taunton | Thursday |
| 9/3/2026 | Taunton | Monday |
| 24/3/2026 | Taunton | Tuesday |
| 9/4/2026 | Taunton | Thursday |
| 22/4/2026 | Taunton | Wednesday |
| 12/11/2026 | Taunton | Thursday |
| 26/11/2026 | Taunton | Thursday |
| 10/12/2026 | Taunton | Thursday |
| 21/12/2026 | Taunton | Monday |
| 30/12/2026 | Taunton | Wednesday |
Taunton Racing Tips
| Meeting | Time | Name | Add To Bet Slip |
|---|---|---|---|
| — | –:– | — | |
| No Race Fixtures found today |
Taunton Racecourse History
Although Taunton Racecourse was not built until the late 1920s, records indicate that races have been held in the region since the 18th century.
A degree of formalised racing took place in nearby Broomhay, West Monkton, but this activity ceased in 1812 with the end of the Napoleonic Wars.
Racing continued unscathed in nearby Bridgwater, and in Taunton began back in 1825.
The site where Taunton Racecourse sits now was originally used by King’s College and held racing that was highly praised in Sporting Magazine. However, the course was continually plagued by bad weather and flooded with heavy rain, so it was relocated after a few years to Trull Moor and then back to Bridgwater.
When the Second World War began, all racing came to a halt again.
In the 1920s, the Taunton Racecourse Company was founded, with the purpose of establishing a specialist racecourse in the area for the benefit of the gentry, specifically Viscount Portman. Orchard Portman House was situated on the site but was relocated for construction, and a small church also located on the site remains in place.
The first meeting at Taunton Racecourse was held on 21st September 1927, The Shoreditch Selling Hurdle.
Spectators were housed in a wooden stand and often found themselves stranded in by light floods and heavy puddles in wet weather! Thankfully, these ground problems were resolved with the upgrading of the stands and course, and today they no longer present an issue.
Main Races and Events At Taunton Racecourse
Racing at Taunton Racecourse begins each year with the Carlberg UK Handicap Hurdle in January, a fixture that is routinely very popular to start the season. Tickets often sell out, and for many locals, it forms an annual routine to attend.
Perhaps the most prestigious race of the Taunton Racecourse calendar, however, is the season closer in November: the Audrey Chudleigh Memorial Handicap Hurdle. Both races are well favoured amongst National Hunt racegoers and the industry, though neither could be seen as major – but that’s down to the size of the racecourse rather than the talent of the horses!
Taunton Racecourse Map
Below is a map of Taunton Racecourse:
The course is right-handed and sharp. Its fences are known as being small compared to some other tracks.
It is generally considered a fair track, although a more nippy horse can often fare well.
Taunton Racecourse Address
The address of Taunton Racecourse is:
Taunton Racecourse
Orchard Portman
Taunton
Somerset
TA3 7BL
How To Get To Taunton Racecourse
The ways to get to Taunton Racecourse are:
- By car – Taunton Racecourse is well signposted by road and is just a few minutes’ drive from the M5, as well as just two miles south of the town centre. Free parking is provided, but this does get full quite quickly on busy race days, so arrive early to avoid disappointment. Info for your sat nav: Orchard Portman, Taunton, Somerset TA3 7BL
- By rail – the course is walking distance from the town centre, but there’s no footpath on the approach to the course, so heels may need to be packed away! On race days, free buses are put on from Taunton railway station to and from the course.
Hotels near Taunton Racecourse
The nearest hotel accommodation to the racecourse is the Rural Escape private lodge, a barn available for hire in Orchard Portman.
The town of Taunton is home to several independent hotels that offer great rates and reasonable packages, and some will provide private transfers to and from the racecourse. These include The Taunton House Hotel, Octon Lodge Hotel, The Castle Hotel, The Royal Ashton Hotel and Blorenge House.
The location of the racecourse means that there are plenty of roadside hotel options on the surrounding A-roads and motorways, which often offer budget packages.
Betting Shops Local to Taunton Racecourse
Taunton Racecourse has a William Hill betting shop on-site as well as several Totepool kiosks for pool bets.
Independent bookmakers can be found in front of the Orchard Stand: some offering minimum bets of £2, some £5.
Taunton has branches of William Hill, a Ladbrokes betting shop and a Betfred betting shop in the town centre, and some residential suburbs of the town have small branches of Coral bookmakers.
Betfred betting shops are seemingly very popular in Taunton, with several branches well-attended within walking distance of each other!
Other Events Held at Taunton Racecourse
Taunton has quickly become a prominent conference and events venue in the Somerset region, hosting a variety of professional events.
The dining and hospitality options on offer have gained it a reputation as a quality wedding venue for couples looking to host receptions and celebrations in Somerset.
Popular Questions
✅ What is the address of Taunton Racecourse?
The address of Taunton Racecourse is:
Taunton Racecourse
Orchard Portman
Taunton
Somerset
TA3 7BL
✅ How do you get to Taunton Races?
The ways to get to Taunton Races are:
- By car – Taunton Racecourse is well signposted by road and is just a few minutes drive from the M5, as well as just two miles south from the town centre. Free parking is provided but this does get full quite quickly on busy race days, so arrive early to avoid disappointment. Info for your sat nav: Orchard Portman, Taunton, Somerset TA3 7BL
- By rail – the course is walking distance from the town centre, but there’s no footpath on the approach to the course, so heels may need to be packed away! On race days, free buses are put on from Taunton railway station to and from the course.
Summary of Taunton Racecourse
Taunton is a rural and well-respected national hunt racecourse, even if it is England’s youngest jumps racecourse!
In the West Country and close to Cheltenham, a lot of decent young horses from major stables, such as those from Paul Nicholls, learn their trade here.
The course is generally fair, if on the sharp side.
Whilst not the most modern course, it is superb for a winter jumps meeting and is popular with locals and those from further afield who love the sport.
It is one of our favourite smaller tracks here at British Racecourse.
