The course and grandstand at Bath Racecourse on Lansdown Hill

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Bath Racecourse

Britain’s highest Flat racecourse, 780 feet above sea level on Lansdown Hill, two miles north of Bath city centre. Racing moved here in 1811. Free parking and a raceday shuttle from Bath Spa connect the hilltop venue with the city.

  • Lansdown Hill, BathTwo miles north of the city; six miles from M4 junction 18
  • Raceday shuttle£6 return from Bath Spa station in 2026
  • Free parkingPlentiful, on racedays
  • Three racedays in OctoberThen the season ends until spring

Photo: John Winder, CC BY-SA 2.0, cropped

Meetings and tickets for 2026/27

Bath’s final three Flat meetings of 2026 are on 8, 19 and 29 October. The official pages publish gates-open and race times for each fixture.

Bath fixturesSeason 2026/27
8Oct 2026

October Flat racing

Seven races; gates open at 12:05, the first race is at 13:30 and the last at 16:55.

Tickets
19Oct 2026

October Flat racing

Seven races; gates open at 11:47, the first race is at 13:47 and the last at 16:50.

Tickets
29Oct 2026

Last racing of 2026

Gates open at 11:12, the first race is at 13:12 and the last at 16:12.

Tickets

Tickets can be upgraded to another enclosure on the day if there’s space.

A weekend in Bath

Racing on the hill, then the Georgian city.

A quieter afternoon

Any October raceday.

Racing and a concert

Bath has hosted big-name live music after racing in summer.

Families

Family fun days, when picnics are allowed.

Which enclosure should you choose?

Bath sells general admission, Centre Course tickets and hospitality.

Main

General admission

The main enclosure, with the Parade Ring, finish-line viewing, bars and food.

Full guide to General admission

Picnic enclosure

Centre Course & Picnic

On selected fixtures, drive into the centre of the track to park, picnic and watch.

Full guide to Centre Course & Picnic

Premium

Hospitality

Bookable restaurants, dining packages and private suites.

Full guide to Hospitality

Roof Garden

Roof Garden

A separately ticketed, canopied viewing area above the crowd, with its own bar.

Full guide to Roof Garden

Compare every enclosure side by side: prices, views, bars and food, dress codes and entrances.

Dress code at Bath Racecourse

Bath’s dress guidance emphasises comfort and an enjoyable outdoor day. It excludes sports team shirts and offensive fancy dress, and suggests collared shirts with trousers, smart jeans or tailored shorts for men. Ripped jeans and worn training shoes should be avoided. Dressing up is encouraged for Ladies Day and special events, but the Roof Garden has no additional dress requirement. Check the forecast because meetings are mainly outdoors and a summer date can still call for waterproof layers.

Official clothing advice — checked 14 October 2026.

What will the trip cost?

A quick estimate for your group. Where we have confirmed a ticket price it’s filled in; otherwise add the price from the racecourse’s booking page. Change any figure to match your plans.

Estimated totalAdd a ticket price above

Per adult–

The shuttle bus is £6 return; parking is free. Betting is left out on purpose.

Getting to Bath

Bath Racecourse sits on Lansdown Hill, two miles north of the city centre and six miles south of M4 junction 18. The course is reached by a dedicated bus on racedays, local buses and road routes.

Racecourse shuttle

£6 return in 2026 from Avon Street, Bath Spa

First Bus runs a special service before and after each racing fixture. The stop is on Avon Street outside Bath Spa station; the 2026 return fare is £6. Children aged 15 and under travel free with a fare-paying adult.

By train

Bath Spa station

Bath Spa is on the Great Western Main Line, with direct services from London Paddington and Bristol Temple Meads. From the station, use the raceday shuttle rather than relying on the steep uphill walk to Lansdown.

By car

Free parking; six miles south of M4 junction 18

The racecourse is signposted from main routes to Lansdown Hill. Free parking is available on site. You may leave a car overnight if you tell the parking stewards; the course says this is at your own risk and caravans cannot be left overnight.

Local bus and taxi

Lansdown Park & Ride service 31; taxi from central Bath

Bath’s service 31 links Lansdown Park & Ride with Milsom Street in the city centre. The raceday shuttle is the direct public transport link to the course. The racecourse estimates a city-centre taxi journey at about 20–30 minutes, depending on traffic.

Parking at Bath Racecourse

Bath provides free car parking and a separate signposted area for visiting coaches. Staff can help drivers find the correct place on arrival. Cars may remain overnight, but visitors must tell the parking stewards when arriving and leave their vehicle at their own risk. Caravans cannot be left overnight. Because overnight arrangements require staff notification, make this part of your arrival plan rather than simply leaving the car behind after racing without speaking to anyone.

Official parking advice — checked 14 October 2026.

Coming by train?

Book trains to Bath Spa.

Hotels near Bath Racecourse

Bath’s compact centre has accommodation from practical city hotels to historic Georgian townhouses and spa properties. These are town stays, with Bath Spa station, restaurants and major sights nearby; the raceday shuttle leaves from Avon Street outside the station.

Station and city centre

Useful bases for rail arrivals, the Roman Baths and central restaurants.

  • Hampton by Hilton Bath City, 202 rooms on Avon Street, a short walk from Bath Spa station and Bath Bus Station
  • The Gainsborough Bath Spa, Central hotel with a spa using Bath’s natural thermal waters
  • The Bird, Bath, 29-room boutique hotel near Bath Abbey and the Recreation Ground, with a restaurant

Georgian squares and the upper town

Stay around Queen Square or Great Pulteney Street for historic architecture and walkable attractions.

  • The Francis Hotel Bath, 98 bedrooms in seven Georgian townhouses on Queen Square, with a restaurant and spa
  • No.15 by GuestHouse, A townhouse hotel on Great Pulteney Street, close to the Holburne Museum and Pulteney Bridge

Find a hotel in Bath

Compare hotels in Bath.

Affiliate link: we may earn a commission if you book, at no extra cost to you.

Evenings in Bath

Bath has live music, theatre and comedy within the city centre, so an evening can be built around a gig, a show or a pub rather than staying on Lansdown Hill.

Live music

Green Park Brasserie

Set inside the former Green Park railway station, this city-centre restaurant and bar hosts live jazz. Visit Bath describes its programme as free, making it an easy option for an evening without a ticketed show.

Gigs and folk sessions

The Bell Inn and The Grapes

Visit Bath lists gigs at The Bell Inn on most nights and Irish folk sessions at The Grapes. Both are central pub options; check the venue’s current listings for the specific night.

Comedy and performances

Komedia Bath

The venue stages comedy, music and other entertainment, including its Krater Comedy Club. It is a useful choice when you want a booked evening event close to central hotels and restaurants.

Things to do while you are here

Bath’s Roman and Georgian sights are close together in the centre. A second day lets you add a museum, the thermal spa or a walk beyond the streets around the Abbey.

The Roman Baths

The city’s best-known historic site preserves the spring-fed bathing complex and museum beside Bath Abbey. Visit Bath says the spring water still fills the site every day.

Thermae Bath Spa

A contemporary spa where visitors can bathe in Bath’s natural thermal waters; its rooftop pool looks over the city skyline.

The Royal Crescent and the Circus

Walk the curved Georgian terrace and the nearby Circus to see two defining pieces of Bath’s eighteenth-century architecture. The exterior streets are free to explore.

Pulteney Bridge and the Holburne Museum

Cross the bridge over the River Avon, then continue along Great Pulteney Street to the Holburne Museum, whose collections include fine and decorative art.

On the day

The following timetable is from Bath Racecourse’s published October 2026 fixture pages. The racecourse says timings can change, so its date-specific page is the source for any later updates.

12:05 gates · 13:30 first raceThursday 8 October 2026; last race listed at 16:55.
11:47 gates · 13:47 first raceMonday 19 October 2026; last race listed at 16:50.
11:12 gates · 13:12 first raceThursday 29 October 2026; last race listed at 16:12.

Source: Bath Racecourse fixture pages for 8, 19 and 29 October 2026, checked 3 October 2026.

Dress for the hilltop

The course is about 780 feet above sea level on an exposed hill. Bring an extra layer for the outdoor viewing areas, especially for an autumn afternoon.

Tickets and racecard

Keep your admission ticket ready for the turnstiles. The racecourse’s free digital racecard is published on the morning of the fixture and lists the runners, riders and race times.

Food, drink and cash

Bars and food stalls operate at fixtures, with the available outlets varying by meeting. Bath Racecourse says there are no cash machines on site; bars and catering take card payments, while bookmakers accept cash and some accept debit cards.

Betting is optional

You can follow the races without betting. If you choose to have a bet, set a limit and remember that betting is for people aged 18 and over.

Families and groups

Children are welcome at Bath’s race meetings, with free admission at most fixtures.

Children’s admission

Bath’s October 2026 fixture pages say children aged 17 and under go free when accompanied by an adult, although exclusions may apply. No child ticket needs to be booked in advance; a free ticket is issued on the day. On the racecourse shuttle, children aged 15 and under travel free with a fare-paying adult.

Bath Racecourse fixture information

Help on the day and afterwards

In an emergency

Call 999 and give the address, Bath Racecourse, Lansdown, Bath. Then tell a member of staff.

Accessibility

A personal assistant can claim free entry at the turnstiles when accompanying a paying guest with access needs. The racecourse accepts supporting proof such as DLA, PIP or a signed GP letter with photo ID.

After your visit

Official results are on the BHA results page.

A little history

  1. 1811Bath racing was established on Lansdown Hill. The course stands around 780 feet above sea level, making it Britain’s highest Flat racecourse.

More Bath guides

Prices, dates and travel details were checked on 3 October 2026. The racecourse can change prices, times and arrangements, so check your booking page before you pay. This is an independent guide, not connected to Bath Racecourse or Arena Racing Company. Some links may earn us a small commission if you book, at no extra cost to you; this never decides what we recommend.