A Grand Day Out: A festive flutter at Newbury Racecourse | Daily Mail Online
A Grand Day Out: A festive flutter at Newbury Racecourse
A Grand Day Out: A flutter at The Racecourse, Newbury
05:22 EST, 28 November 2012
In the latest of our occasional series on British locations ideal for a day out, Mark Hughes-Morgan heads to the races for a festive flutter... Leap of faith: For winter fun, The Racecourse at Newbury has plenty of eventsUNUSUAL-LOOKING RAILWAY STATIONThis is the Racecourse Newbury in pleasant, rural Berkshire. It's the site of one of the great festive sporting events: Saturday's Hennessy Gold Cup, the climax of its winter festival that starts tomorrow. Expect VIPs, silly outfits and royals. SPOT OF LUCK THE TRAIN DROPPING US OFF THENIt is the only UK racecourse with its own station, and there's a direct connection from Paddington on race days, so celebrating your winnings/drowning sorrows with a bit of bubbly should not be a problem. RELATED ARTICLES
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ANY TIPS? On Friday and Saturday there are 30-minute Behind The Scenes tours led by a retired jockey an hour before the first race. Then there's the Trip To The Start to see the race begin. There are three trips a day - firstcome, first-served. Listen for announcements. The Hennessy Restaurant has a great view of the finishing stretch. Doing it for the boys: The course also hosts a Gentlemens' Day as well as Ladies' Days
I THINK THE GEE GEES MIGHT FIND THE ICE A BIT TRICKY The rink is for racegoers and it's free. WHERE DO WE SIT? In ascending price, with various packages available: the Grandstand enclosure, the Premier enclosure, a private box, the Royal Box - although on Hennessy Gold Cup day, it'll be taken. It bills itself as 'the Queen's favourite racecourse' - she spent her birthday here this year. THOSE ARE RUM-LOOKING NAGS Those are Movember supporters - there is £5 off entry for moustache-wearers on Friday (Gentlemen's Day), and they will be invited to strut their fluff in the parade ring. I WAS GOING TO DO MY CHRISTMAS SHOPPING TODAY You still can - there is a festive shopping village, as well as a farmers' market serving mulled wine and hot chocolate. CAN I MEET SANTA? Consider the Santa Cruise on the Jubilee narrowboat on the Kennet And Avon Canal. It takes about 90 minutes, with two sailings a day: 12-1.30pm and 2-3.30pm (£8 per ticket, including mince pies, mulled wine and presents for children; www.visitnewbury.org.uk). ANYTHING ELSE WORTH SEEING LOCALLY? Christmas lights will be switched on in the town on Friday at 4pm (racing finishes at 3.45pm that day). Newbury Christmas Fair on Saturday. Highclere (www.highclerecastle.co.uk), aka Downton Abbey, is six miles away. Racing starts from 12.15pm and ends at 3.45pm to 4pm. More information: 01635 40015, www.racecoursenewbury.co.uk. Share or comment on this article
A Grand Day Out: A festive flutter at Newbury Racecourse | Daily Mail Online
A Grand Day Out: A festive flutter at Newbury Racecourse
A Grand Day Out: A flutter at The Racecourse, Newbury
05:22 EST, 28 November 2012
In the latest of our occasional series on British locations ideal for a day out, Mark Hughes-Morgan heads to the races for a festive flutter... Leap of faith: For winter fun, The Racecourse at Newbury has plenty of eventsUNUSUAL-LOOKING RAILWAY STATIONThis is the Racecourse Newbury in pleasant, rural Berkshire. It's the site of one of the great festive sporting events: Saturday's Hennessy Gold Cup, the climax of its winter festival that starts tomorrow. Expect VIPs, silly outfits and royals. SPOT OF LUCK THE TRAIN DROPPING US OFF THENIt is the only UK racecourse with its own station, and there's a direct connection from Paddington on race days, so celebrating your winnings/drowning sorrows with a bit of bubbly should not be a problem. RELATED ARTICLES
Discover more great days out in the UK
ANY TIPS? On Friday and Saturday there are 30-minute Behind The Scenes tours led by a retired jockey an hour before the first race. Then there's the Trip To The Start to see the race begin. There are three trips a day - firstcome, first-served. Listen for announcements. The Hennessy Restaurant has a great view of the finishing stretch. Doing it for the boys: The course also hosts a Gentlemens' Day as well as Ladies' 
Days
I THINK THE GEE GEES MIGHT FIND THE ICE A BIT TRICKY The rink is for racegoers and it's free. WHERE DO WE SIT? In ascending price, with various packages available: the Grandstand enclosure, the Premier enclosure, a private box, the Royal Box - although on Hennessy Gold Cup day, it'll be taken. It bills itself as 'the Queen's favourite racecourse' - she spent her birthday here this year. THOSE ARE RUM-LOOKING NAGS Those are Movember supporters - there is £5 off entry for moustache-wearers on Friday (Gentlemen's Day), and they will be invited to strut their fluff in the parade ring. I WAS GOING TO DO MY CHRISTMAS SHOPPING TODAY You still can - there is a festive shopping village, as well as a farmers' market serving mulled wine and hot chocolate. CAN I MEET SANTA? Consider the Santa Cruise on the Jubilee narrowboat on the Kennet And Avon Canal. It takes about 90 minutes, with two sailings a day: 12-1.30pm and 2-3.30pm (£8 per ticket, including mince pies, mulled wine and presents for children; www.visitnewbury.org.uk). ANYTHING ELSE WORTH SEEING LOCALLY? Christmas lights will be switched on in the town on Friday at 4pm (racing finishes at 3.45pm that day). Newbury Christmas Fair on Saturday. Highclere (www.highclerecastle.co.uk), aka Downton Abbey, is six miles away. Racing starts from 12.15pm and ends at 3.45pm to 4pm. More information: 01635 40015, www.racecoursenewbury.co.uk. Share or comment on this article