Racegoers by the parade ring at Brighton Racecourse, with the course beyond

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Brighton Racecourse

Flat racing high on Whitehawk Hill, about a mile from the seafront, with views over the city and the Channel. The unusual horseshoe track has no complete circuit. Racing runs from April to October, and parking is free.

  • Whitehawk Hill, BN2 9XZAbout a mile from Brighton’s seafront
  • Buses 2 and 22Public services stop at Race Hill
  • Free parkingAt the racecourse
  • Season finale 15 Oct 2026The last racing until spring

Photo: Paul Gillett, CC BY-SA 2.0, cropped

Meetings and tickets for 2026/27

Brighton’s last two racedays of 2026. The 2027 fixture list has been published, with the Festival of Racing in August again the highlight; ticket on-sale dates will follow.

Brighton fixturesSeason 2026/27
6Oct 2026

October Flat Racing

Seven Flat races; gates open at 11:38, first race at 13:38 and last at 17:08.

Tickets
15Oct 2026

Season Finale

Gates open at 11:53, first race at 13:53 and last at 17:18; the final racing of 2026.

Tickets

Booking ahead saves an average of £5 on the gate price, and early-bird tickets are cheaper still until about 30 days before each fixture. Groups of 10 or more get up to £5 off each general admission ticket. Tickets are non-refundable unless racing is abandoned.

Seaside summer

The three-day Festival of Racing in August.

A quiet afternoon

A midweek meeting in spring or autumn.

Last chance this year

The Season Finale on 15 October.

Groups

Any raceday, with up to £5 off for groups of 10 or more.

Which enclosure should you choose?

Brighton sells general admission and hospitality, including restaurants and private suites. Transfers between enclosures depend on capacity.

Full access

Premier Enclosure

Includes Grandstand & Paddock access, plus the Premier Stand, Premier Bar and Parade Ring Lawn.

Full guide to Premier Enclosure

Trackside

Grandstand & Paddock Enclosure

The main public area, with Grandstand lawns and seating, Parade Ring access, a picnic area and food units.

Full guide to Grandstand & Paddock Enclosure

Fine dining

Silks Restaurant

Reserved hospitality table, three-course menu, bar and Tote betting, with access to public areas and Silks Terrace.

Full guide to Silks Restaurant

Restaurant

Prince Regent Restaurant

A separate race-day restaurant package with reserved seating and public-area access on selected fixtures.

Full guide to Prince Regent Restaurant

Private dining

Private Suites & Boxes

Exclusive rooms with a Juliet balcony, dedicated service, private bar options and access to public areas.

Full guide to Private Suites & Boxes

Shared suite

Premier Viewing Suite

The shared viewing suite package listed for Brighton’s 15 October 2026 Season Finale, with Premier views and a drink.

Full guide to Premier Viewing Suite

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

Dress code at Brighton Racecourse

Brighton has no specified formal dress code and encourages guests to feel comfortable. Its only stated exclusions are sporting team shirts and offensive fancy dress. Visitors often dress up for Ladies Day or other feature meetings, but occasion clothing is a preference rather than a general requirement. Most of the visit is outdoors, so check the forecast and choose clothes that will keep you warm and dry, or provide protection from the sun when conditions are hot.

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–

Parking is free; public buses 2 and 22 stop at Race Hill. Betting is left out on purpose.

Getting to Brighton

The course is high on Whitehawk Hill, reached by public bus, taxi or car. The old racecourse courtesy bus no longer runs.

By train and bus

Brighton station to Churchill Square, then bus 2 or 22

Trains run from London Victoria, London Bridge and King’s Cross in under an hour. Walk about 10 minutes from the station to Churchill Square Stop H; both buses stop at Race Hill outside the course. The racecourse no longer runs a courtesy shuttle.

By car

Free parking at the racecourse

From the A23, join the A27 eastbound, follow signs for Sussex University and take the B2123 towards Woodingdean. Turn right at the traffic lights; the entrance is about a mile along on the left. This route avoids driving through the city centre.

By bus

Routes 2 and 22 to Race Hill

Both services leave Churchill Square Stop H and stop at Race Hill, beside the racecourse. Bus 2 runs every 20 minutes, or every 30 minutes on Sundays, according to the racecourse directions. The walk uphill from central Brighton is steep.

By taxi

Brighton & Hove Streamline Taxis

The racecourse’s preferred taxi supplier takes bookings on 01273 20 20 20. Give the driver the Freshfield Road entrance address; Brighton Racecourse lists the number for journeys to and from the course.

Parking at Brighton Racecourse

Brighton provides free car parking. The racecourse sits at the top of Freshfield Road, and its official directions explain the approach from the seafront through Lower Rock Gardens and Edward Street. Use the official travel page to plan your route before leaving, especially if unfamiliar with the city’s streets. Allow time to reach the course and follow event directions when arriving. Check the specific fixture information for any additional travel instructions rather than assuming every event uses identical arrangements.

Official parking advice — checked 14 October 2026.

Coming by train?

Book trains to Brighton.

Hotels near Brighton Racecourse

Brighton has seafront hotels, small guest houses and larger central properties. These examples are in town, rather than beside the racecourse; compare the location with your plans and transport.

Central Brighton and the station

Stay near the rail station or the city’s central streets for shops, restaurants and onward buses.

  • ibis Brighton City Centre, 140 rooms close to Brighton station, with a restaurant and 24-hour reception
  • Hotel Pelirocco, 19 individually themed rooms at 10 Regency Square, a short walk from the seafront
  • The Grand Brighton, A large seafront hotel on Kings Road with Cyan restaurant and the Victoria Bar

Seafront and Kemptown

Marine Parade and the eastern seafront put the beach, Palace Pier and Kemptown within reach on foot.

  • Drakes Hotel, A seafront boutique hotel at Marine Parade with a cocktail bar and Dilsk restaurant
  • Holiday Inn Brighton-Seafront, A Kings Road base beside the beach and within walking distance of the city centre

Find a hotel

Compare hotels in Brighton and Hove.

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

Evenings in Brighton

Brighton has live-music pubs and venues across the centre, with the seafront a separate option for a drink after racing.

Live music

The Green Door Store

An independent live-music venue beneath the railway arches by Brighton station. VisitBrighton describes a seven-day programme of events, so look at its current listings when planning an evening.

Pub and gigs

The Hope & Ruin

A pub and live-music venue on Queens Road, handy for the station end of the centre. Its changing gigs and events give the bar a stronger music focus than a traditional pub.

Seafront drinks

Brighton Music Hall

A beachside bar and restaurant by the central seafront, suitable for a relaxed drink with a view after a walk by the Palace Pier.

Things to do while you are here

Brighton’s compact centre mixes Regency architecture, museums, independent shopping streets and a long seafront. These town attractions work as a separate day out as well as an extension to a raceday.

The Royal Pavilion

George IV’s former seaside residence is known for its Indian-inspired exterior and ornate interiors. Pavilion Gardens and Brighton Museum & Art Gallery are next door, making a convenient central visit.

Brighton Palace Pier

The Victorian pier stretches out from the seafront with fairground rides, arcade attractions and places to eat. It is an easy landmark to pair with a walk along the beach.

The Lanes and North Laine

Browse independent shops, cafés and small lanes in the historic centre, then continue into North Laine for more shops and street life.

Volk’s Electric Railway and the beach

Follow the seafront east towards Brighton Marina on the historic electric railway, or stay by the central beach for views of the piers and the Channel.

On the day

Timings below are for Brighton’s last two 2026 fixtures. The racecourse publishes the full racecard on the morning of each meeting.

11:38 gates · 13:38 first raceTuesday 6 October 2026; last race listed at 17:08.
11:53 gates · 13:53 first raceThursday 15 October 2026; last race listed at 17:18.

Source: Brighton Racecourse fixture pages for 6 and 15 October 2026, checked 3 October 2026.

Tickets and racecard

Save your ticket on your phone before travelling. Brighton says its free digital racecard, including runners, riders and race timings, is available to view or download on the morning of the fixture.

A distinctive track

The course is an undulating, left-handed horseshoe with no complete circuit. Its downhill turns and long straight create a different view of the races from many conventional oval tracks.

Food and drink

The racecourse has café, bar and restaurant areas, with ramp access and accessible serving points at its main café and bars. The offer and opening arrangements can depend on the fixture.

Betting is optional

You do not need to place a bet to follow the racing. If you choose to bet, set a limit in advance and remember that betting is for adults aged 18 and over.

Families and groups

Children can attend Brighton race meetings with an accompanying adult.

Children’s admission and baby changing

The racecourse’s October 2026 fixture information says under-18s go free when accompanied by an adult, subject to exclusions; collect the child ticket on arrival. Baby-changing facilities are in the men’s and women’s toilets in the Grandstand and Paddock enclosure.

Brighton Racecourse FAQs

Help on the day and afterwards

In an emergency

Call 999 and give the address, Brighton Racecourse, Freshfield Road, Brighton, BN2 9XZ. Then tell a member of staff.

Racecourse office

Call 01273 603580 or email info@brighton-racecourse.co.uk.

Accessibility

Free personal assistant tickets are issued at the entrance on the day. Bring proof of accessible needs, such as DLA, PIP, Attendance Allowance or AFIP; contact 01273 603580 or info@brighton-racecourse.co.uk for venue questions.

After your visit

Official results are on the BHA results page.

A little history

  1. 1783The first public race meeting was held on the hill above Brighton, after a meeting was announced by the Duke of Cumberland. The course has since become known for its unusual horseshoe layout and sea views.

More Brighton 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 Brighton 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.