Cartmel

Cartmel Racecourse is located in Cartmel, Cumbria on the Scottish border and in the beautiful Lake District. As far as courses go it’s on the small side with only nine race days held here each year over the summer months, one of which is a three day Festival held in May. In July the Cumbria Crystal Hurdle Race is held there, worth £40,000+, it’s the biggest money race at Carmel. The racing calendar then winds down in August with the Cartmel Cup and Cavendish Cup steeplechase. The competitive races all take place on a left handed, undulating oval with a finishing straight. It features just six fences and is one mile and one furlong and a four furlong run-in.

 

Despite its size, attendance at the jump track is actually higher on race days than most tracks in the country, topping 20,000 plus at times. The course is rather distinctive in that it features a fairground on one side, and those attending can often be seen having picnics and enjoying the weather. There are plenty of food and drink stalls (try the Cartmel Sticky Toffee Pudding, local Michelin menus or a pint at the Unsworth’s Yard Brewery!). It’s nestled a short walk away from local village shops, so can form part of a family day out. An idyllic setting. In one form or another racing has taken place in Cartmel since or prior to 1856 and the course is famous for the Gay Future horse switching coup of 1974.

The thrill of a days racing in a picturesque setting appeals to both casual and serious racing fans alike, so it’s so surprise that the Cartmel racecourse itself states front and centre of what  ‘A Truly Unique Location’ the course is. It’s important to point out that, like many racecourses nowadays, the admissions gate is now cashless, though on site bookmakers accept both card and cash. Party tents and the like are available if you’re a group with deep enough pockets. There are plenty of options to get to the course (by car, coach etc) and a detailed map of the course is here.

 

The 2024 raceday fixtures are listed below:

• info@cartmel-racecourse.co.uk
• 01539 536340
• Cartmel Racecourse
• Cartmel
• Grange-over-Sands
• Cumbria
• LA11 6QF
• UK