Frequently Asked Questions

Customers will receive 20% off the full admission price when purchasing 12 or more tickets, this excludes digital discounts.

This offer is only valid for standard raceday admission tickets and hospitality packages are not included in this promotion.

General admission tickets for weekday meetings start from £18 on the gate and £23 at the weekend including Fridays.

A £2.50 discount is applied for advance ticket sales made online or through a member of the racecourse team.

General admission tickets are on sale online until 12pm on the day of racing. Thereafter tickets are available on the gate for standard racedays, with the exception of all feature days such as Ladies Day.

Children under the age of 18 are admitted free of charge to all of our standard racedays as well as Family Fun Days, provided they are accompanied and supervised by a full-paying adult.  Please note that they may be required to provide proof of age to check eligibility for a child ticket.

We do not offer concessions for children in hospitality areas, however, children under the age of two can attend the Fairwood Brasserie free of charge. We politely request that you inform us beforehand in order for us to accommodate them and make the necessary preparations, ie a highchair.

For our feature days with entertainment, whilst we recommend that these events are not suitable for children under 18. If you do wish to bring them as part of your party, they will need to be in possession of a valid full-price ticket to gain entry.  They must be accompanied by a responsible adult of 18 and above, with one adult per 2 children.  Please be aware that some feature days will offer marquee hospitality options for guests aged 13 and over.  Please refer to each event for age-specific details.

We take every precaution to try and ensure everyone has an enjoyable and safe time at Chelmsford City Racecourse. Under 18s are not permitted in our premium viewing areas, due to the crowding and proximity to loud music.

Whilst we are an inclusive venue, there will be alcohol being sold and betting taking place on site.  It is, therefore, the lead booker’s responsibility to check the suitability of the event or racedays, regardless of age restrictions.  This includes what audience the event is likely to attract and whether the environment is deemed suitable for children.  Refunds cannot be issued if at a later date you decide any aspect of the event is not suitable for those under 18s, including if the behaviour of other audience members, causes offence to you or any children on whose behalf you have purchased tickets.

We do not recommend subjecting babies and young children to loud music. Children are recommended to wear hearing protection if they decide to bring them. A concert environment is not suitable for very young children.

Please note that Clockstock is strictly 18s and over.

Chelmsford City Racecourse is part of the Blue Light Card scheme which enables its members to get 25% off of general admission tickets to our racedays. Please note that this does not include feature days or concerts.

This discount is only applicable to the blue light card holder and one guest.

Blue Light Card provides those in the NHS, emergency services, social care sector and armed forces with discounts online and in-store. Blue Light Card also works with small and large companies across the UK to get involved in supporting the blue light community by offering its members discounts through Blue Light Card. This discount is only applicable to the blue light card holder and one guest.

You could be eligible for a Blue Light Card if you are a part of the following organisations and services:

• 4×4 Response
• Ambulance Service
• Blood Bikes
• Border Force
• British Army
• Cave Rescue
• Community First Responders
• Fire Service
• Highways England Traffic Officer
• HM Armed Forces Veterans
• HM Coastguard
• HM Prison Service
• Immigration Enforcement
• Lowland Search and Rescue
• MoD Fire Service
• MoD Police
• Mountain Rescue
• NHS
• Police
• Red Cross
• Reserve Armed Forces
• RNLI
• Royal Air Force
• Royal Marines
• Royal Navy
• Search and Rescue
• Second Line Responders
• Social Care Workers
• St Andrews Ambulance
• St John Ambulance
• UK Visas and Immigration

Please be advised that in order to redeem this offer you will need to purchase your ticket at our Ticket Office on the day and will be required to present a form of photographic I.D in addition to your Blue Light Card.

For further information about the Blue Light Card, please visit their website by clicking here.

In order to enter the racecourse, guests are required to bring original photographic ID including a driver’s license or passport.

Guests who do not present photographic ID will not be admitted to the racecourse.

This is not applicable to under 18’s.

Tickets purchased by over 18’s unable to provide photo ID on request will not be refunded and security searches may be carried out from time to time on persons entering.

Please be aware that ID will be required in order to purchase alcohol for those who appear under the age of 25 years.

The racecourse booking system’s transactions are processed by Stripe. Stripe send fraud alerts to users for the majority of transactions that pass through its system as a way to protect users and ensure payments are made safely.

You will need to bring your individual e-tickets for admittance into the racecourse; these hold a barcode which needs to be scanned.

Ticket codes can be scanned from smartphone screens.

The racecourse does not offer any discounts through third party vendors or through voucher discount sites at present other than those promoted by the Blue Light Card scheme.

External sites promoting discounts or voucher codes have not been authorised and are doing so without permission or prior consent from the racecourse.

Discounts can only be provided by Chelmsford City Racecourse and is usually a right reserved for our members and those eligible through the Blue Light Card scheme.

Please call the racecourse on 01245 360300 for further information.

We are delighted to offer students a discount to our standard racedays, These can be purchased in advance through our website or on the day. Photographic student ID will be required to be shown as proof of eligibility (please note that we do not accept UniDays or TOTUM apps/cards, as proof of student status).

Please note that free childrens tickets are not eligible with a student ticket.

Racegoers are welcome to bring handbags or backpacks (of an appropriate size for a day out – no bigger than A4 size), however larger luggage items are encouraged to be left at home/hotel/car. You can view our full ‘bag policy’ and conditions of entry here.

If you are attending the racecourse for a celebration and would like to bring a cake or balloons, please call the racecourse before your visit, as these are not permitted in certain areas.

One of our team will be happy to advise if you contact us on 01245 360300.

We are happy to supply a menu on request.

Gates open 2 hours prior to the first race, however race times are subject to change, therefore it is recommended to check our website 24 hours before your visit, or call our friendly team on 01245 360300.

Each event page will state the schedule for when the event is planned to start and end.  Please note, all timings are approximate.

We advise that you regularly check the times provided on the event page as these are subject to change without prior notice.

To view our dress code, please click here.

Yes, however we do ask that fancy dress is appropriate to be seen by all ages and not discriminatory or likely to cause offence.

Within the Sports Bar, is the Grill Kitchen, which serves a variety of delicious casual food choices.

Throughout the our summer and our peak race meetings, there are also various food concessions available.

Our restaurants open at the same time as gates open, and generally stay open for one hour after the last race, but closing times can be extended or reduced depending how busy the facility is.

Please check our website for gates opening and closing times.

The Club Restaurant & Lounge
Food service commences anytime within the first hour of gates opening, however we ask our guests to be on their main course by the fourth race at the latest.

Fairwood Brasserie
The buffet commences anytime within the first hour of gates opening and will be available for approximately 2-3 hours.

During peak season and for certain large events, we operate a bus service between Chelmsford and the racecourse.  For further information, please click here.

The buses will leave promptly from the racecourse on the return journey at times stated for each event. These will only be delayed if an event over-runs, and please be advised we cannot be held responsible for anyone who misses the bus, or for missed connections due to unavoidable bus amendment times.

If you wish to travel to the racecourse using the local public bus service, you can use either the no. 70 or no. 352 bus to Great Leighs.

Both Braintree (10 minutes away) and Chelmsford (15 minutes) Station are suitable for visiting the racecourse. Taxis are readily available from both stations.

There is a taxi pick-up point in the main car park, but please be advised that all taxis must be booked in advance.

There are variety of local taxi companies in both Braintree and Chelmsford who are happy to commute to and from the racecourse familiar with its layout.

Racegoers are not allowed to bring any food or drink onto the racecourse unless in the circumstance that there are any specific dietary requirements that the racecourse cannot cater for In this event, prior arrangements should be made with the racecourse.

Alcohol cannot be brought into the racecourse under any circumstances. If anyone is found to have alcohol on or about their person, it will be confiscated and they may be asked to leave the racecourse as a result.

Please be advised that the racecourse operates a challenge 25 policy.

Dogs are not permitted on the racecourse, with the exception of assistance dogs.

There is free car and coach parking available at Chelmsford City Racecourse. Please follow signage to Chelmsford City Racecourse, the main car park is located off the A131 dual carriageway.

Taxi drop-off and pick-up is also available outside the ticket office and main entrance.

Accessible parking for blue badge holders is located nearest to the ticket office and main entrance and is subject to availability. Please have your blue badge clearly displayed at all times.

This applies to standard racing fixtures only. For feature days & concerts, please see the Feature Days & Concerts page. Please ring the office on 01245 360300 for further information.

We are pleased to provide an ATM service in our Grandstand for the convenience of our customers.  Please note that the ATM operators charge £1.95 for each transaction.

Lost property found on the site will be retained for three months and if not claimed by then, will be disposed off.

For lost property, please email info@chelmsfordcityracecourse.com, with details of the item, the date you attended the racecourse and if possible, the area you think that you lost it. We will then contact you directly if we have located your lost property.

Food and drink are not permitted to be brought into the racecourse. You are able to bring a small, sealed bottle of water. Alternatively, there is tap water available at the end of the bars. Any food or drink will be confiscated at security bag checks.

Racegoers are welcome to bring in handbags or backpacks (of an appropriate size for a day out – no bigger than A4 size), however larger luggage items are encouraged to be left at home/hotel/car. Bags may be searched upon entry, which may slightly delay your entry to the racecourse. Please allow time for your bag to be searched.

An exception will be made for essential medical items by contacting us prior to the race day via email at info@chelmsfordcityracecourse.com You will require a letter which will be issued by our team to show as proof of correspondence before granting entry into the racecourse.

Prohibited items list:

• Food
• All alcohol (unless agreed with the racecourse and catering team)
• Banners/posters
• Offensive material/clothing
• Whistles/air horns/flares
• Large flags
• Weapons/knives/sharp objects/pen knife
• Rope
• Unidentifiable canisters
• Hip flasks
• Professional-level photographic equipment without accreditation
• Dogs (accepts guide dogs)
• Illegal substances
• Perfume bottles over 30ml in size

Prohibited items will be confiscated and disposed of if you wish to enter the racecourse.

Chelmsford City Racecourse offers excellent hospitality and dining options, which are generally fully-booked weeks in advance. We always advice our guests to book in advance to ensure that their desired package is available for their desired raceday, however, walk-in bookings are permitted if there is availability.

The maximum table size in the Club Restaurant & Lounge is eight people.  We are happy to invite larger groups to our Fairwood Brasserie, these bookings would be split over multiple tables.

Please contact the racecourse office for any additional requirements.

Unfortunately, we do not offer any private boxes, however, we do have several marquees that can be hired.

To learn more about these options, please get in contact with our team.

Children under 18 are not permitted in the Club Restaurant & Lounge, however, children are permitted in the Fairwood Brasserie provided that they have a valid booking.

We have a variety of packages available on racedays, which can vary depending on the fixture. To view our racedays and the packages that are currently on sale, please click here.

Sports Bar package guests are welcome to arrive as soon as gates open. Please come to the booking information desk inside the ticket office to collect your meal vouchers.

Club Restaurant & Lounge – The food service will commence anytime within the first hour of gates opening. However, we do ask all guests to be on their main course by the 4th race at the latest.

Fairwood Brasserie – Please note, the buffet commences anytime within the first hour of gates opening and will be out for approximately 2 to 3 hours.

If racing is abandoned prior to the first race, a full refund will be given. If the meeting is abandoned prior to the third race, a 50% refund will be given, and if the meeting is abandoned after the third race has been run, no refund will be given in respect of admission charges.

Refunds will be processed automatically after the event and can take up to 28 days to reach your account. Alternatively a transfer can be requested by contacting us on 01245 360300 info@chelmsfordcityracecourse.com

If your booking payment method was by gift voucher, this has no monetary value, therefore a replacement gift voucher will be provided.

We are unable to offer refunds or credits if you are no longer able to attend a raceday or event for any reason. Tickets are non-refundable and non-transferable.

The racecourse is accessible for wheelchair users, please visit our accessibility page for full details, alternatively you can contact our dedicated Access Officer by emailing info@chelmsfordcityracecourse.com.

We offer a discount for those who need a carer to access the racecourse. Please see our accessibility page.

Yes, WIFI is available at the racecourse. This can be accessed on the “PUBLIC” network and no password is required.

There are three methods of betting at Chelmsford City Racecourse, fixed odds betting with Betfred, pool betting with the Tote and the traditional ring bookmakers.

The duty betting ring manager changes from meeting to meeting. On a raceday they will be located in the small building at the end of the grandstand facing the betting ring.

Photography is permitted for personal use only. Flash photography is not permitted. If you would like professional photos taken, please get in touch with the racecourse office prior to the raceday.

We have a private Owners and Trainers bar overlooking the parade ring, located on the first floor of the pavilion serving complimentary tea, coffee, hot food and sandwiches throughout racing.

We also offer discounted packages to all Owners and Trainers wishing to dine in our restaurants, please contact the sales team for further details and to make a booking.
For all Owners & Trainers information, please select the Owners & Trainers option under ‘Plan Your Raceday’ on the main menu.

This must be done in advance, please send your details on an email to info@chelmsfordcityracecourse.com.

For information regarding attending the racecourse as an owner and trainer please see https://chelmsfordcityracecourse.com/plan-your-visit/owners-trainers/

Photographs can be obtained from our official racecourse photographer, Megan Ridgewell, who captures pictures of all winning horses and connections; both on the track and in the Winners’ Enclosure after racing. Megan can be contacted by emailing meganrosephoto@gmail.com or on 07584 200553

Pictures can be found and ordered through Megan Rose Photography.