22Oct 2026
Jump Season Opener
The first jumps racing of the season.
From£17
Tickets
Meetings and tickets for 2026/27
Carlisle’s remaining 2026 fixtures close the Flat season in September, then return to National Hunt racing in October. The published Jump Season Opener begins at 11:52am.
Carlisle fixturesSeason 2026/27
1Nov 2026
Colin Parker Raceday
Carlisle’s feature autumn chase day.
From£22
Tickets
9Nov 2026
Weatherbys Graduation Chase Raceday
An afternoon of jumps racing close to Remembrance Day.
29Nov 2026
Super Sunday
Jumps racing, with an Army Benevolent Fund charity raceday.
Children aged 17 and under are free at most Carlisle events with an adult; music nights have discounted paid child tickets and under-18s cannot attend Ladies Night. Adults aged 18–24 can get 50% off selected dates with the free RacePass.
Winter jumps
The Colin Parker Raceday in November.
A summer night out
Ladies Night: 2027 tickets are on sale at £25.
Bringing children
Under-18s are free at most events; music nights have discounted child tickets, and under-18s cannot attend Ladies Night.
Young adults
Half price for 18–24s with RacePass.
Which enclosure should you choose?
Carlisle has one public General Admission ticket, with separately booked Swifts Restaurant and Executive Box hospitality.
Dining
Swifts Restaurant
A first-floor restaurant with VIP admission, table service and panoramic track views.
Compare every enclosure side by side: prices, views, bars and food, dress codes and entrances.
Dress code at Carlisle Racecourse
Carlisle encourages racegoers to choose comfortable clothes suited to their own style. Its official guidance gives jeans, sweatshirts and clean trainers as examples, as well as suits and dresses for those who prefer a smarter occasion. Fancy dress should be appropriate and non-offensive because unsuitable outfits can lead to refusal of entry. Much of a raceday is spent in uncovered areas, so check the forecast and bring layers or an umbrella when needed.
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.
Getting to Carlisle
The racecourse is a couple of miles south of the city centre, just off the M6.
By car
Follow the brown signs along the Carlisle Southern Link Road to Durdar Road. Free car and coach parking; gates open two to two and a half hours before the first race.
By bus
The 64 passes the racecourse. After racing, a shuttle bus runs to English Street in the city centre 20 minutes after the last race, then again 30 minutes later.
By train
On the West Coast Main Line; a short taxi ride from the rank outside the station.
By air
Helicopters by prior arrangement.
Parking at Carlisle Racecourse
Carlisle provides free parking for cars and coaches close to the course. Follow the signs into the public car parks when approaching; the course is signposted from M6 junction 42 and surrounding roads. Accessible parking is in the North Car Park, opposite the Premier Entrance. Hospitality guests are advised to arrive when the gates open to allow time for their meal before racing. Check the fixture’s admission time and follow staff directions for your parking area.
Official parking advice — checked 14 October 2026.
Coming by train?
Book trains to Carlisle.
Hotels near Carlisle Racecourse
Carlisle offers city-centre hotels and serviced apartments close to the station, castle and cathedral. The surrounding area adds countryside inns, guesthouses and Lake District stays for a longer trip.
Carlisle city centre
A central stay puts Carlisle Castle, Tullie and the Cathedral within walking distance, as well as restaurants and the railway station. The Halston has apartment-style rooms and dining; the Crown and Mitre is an Edwardian hotel in the heart of the city.
- The Halston Aparthotel, city-centre serviced apartments with two restaurants and bars
- Crown and Mitre Hotel, Edwardian city-centre hotel close to the cathedral and castle
- Carlisle Station Hotel, hotel beside Carlisle railway station
Carlisle and surrounding countryside
For more room or a quieter base, Discover Carlisle lists hotels, guesthouses, cottages, campsites and caravan parks around the city. Carlisle is also a useful base for day trips towards Hadrian’s Wall and the northern Lake District.
- The County Hotel, central hotel option listed by Discover Carlisle
- Heather Glen Country House, country-house stay outside the city centre
- Lake District accommodation, country inns, cottages and guesthouses south of Carlisle
Find a hotel
Compare hotels in Carlisle.
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Evenings in Carlisle
Carlisle has a compact city centre with independent restaurants, traditional pubs, cocktail bars and live performances, making a city stay useful after an afternoon at the races.
- Dinner in the historic quarter
The Crown and Mitre
The Crown and Mitre is a city-centre hotel and restaurant on English Street, close to the castle and cathedral. Discover Carlisle lists it among the city’s food and drink options, so it is convenient for dinner before an evening walk through the historic centre.
- Cocktails and dining
Penny Blue
Penny Blue Bar & Restaurant sits inside the Halston’s historic former post office building on Warwick Road. Its restaurant and bar provide a city-centre choice for a longer meal or drinks after sightseeing.
- Pub and live entertainment
Carlisle city centre
Discover Carlisle’s food directory lists independent pubs, bars, breweries and restaurants around the centre, while the Sands Centre hosts live music and shows. The pedestrianised core makes it straightforward to combine dinner with a performance.
Things to do while you are here
Carlisle’s compact historic quarter brings together Roman and border history, a cathedral, a castle and a city museum.
Carlisle Castle
This 900-year-old fortress guarded the western end of the Anglo-Scottish border. English Heritage highlights the Tudor battery, twelfth-century gatehouse and conserved keep; the castle also houses the Museum of Military Life.
Tullie museum and art gallery
Tullie sits in the historic quarter between the castle and cathedral. Its galleries cover Carlisle’s Roman frontier, local history and art, with refreshed spaces opened in 2025.
Carlisle Cathedral
The Cathedral has stood at the heart of the border city for more than 900 years. Look for the medieval choir stalls, carved stonework and stained glass, then explore the historic quarter on foot.
Hadrian’s Wall and Bitts Park
Carlisle is a useful city base for exploring the western reaches of Hadrian’s Wall, part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site. Closer to the centre, Bitts Park offers gardens, riverside walks and play areas.
On the day
Published details for Carlisle’s 2026 jumps opener include exact gate and race times, plus practical guidance on children and the return bus.
11:52amGates open for the Jump Season Opener on Thursday 22 October 2026.
1:22pmFirst race on the Jump Season Opener; the published last race is 4:50pm.
Carlisle Racecourse Jump Season Opener event page and FAQs; checked 2 October 2026. Fixture timings may change.
Dress for the season
There is no formal dress code: Carlisle suggests coming dressed to feel your best. The October opener is an outdoor winter meeting, so bring a warm layer and weatherproof shoes.
Under-18 admission
Children aged 17 and under are free at most fixtures with an adult. Music nights have discounted paid child tickets, and Carlisle’s policy bars under-18s from Ladies Night.
City-centre return bus
A free bus back to English Street runs 20 minutes after the last race and again 30 minutes later. It is a post-racing service rather than a general arrival shuttle.
Parking and accessible arrival
General car and coach parking is free. Blue Badge parking is in the North Car Park opposite the Premier Entrance, with accessible bays close to the main entrance.
Families and groups
Carlisle welcomes families at most race meetings and has plenty of city attractions for a weekend visit.
Child admission rules
Children aged 17 and under can attend most Carlisle events free when accompanied by an adult aged 21 or over; a maximum of three children may enter with each adult. Music nights have discounted paid tickets, and under-18s cannot attend Ladies Night. Child places may be limited at larger events.
Family-friendly city stops
Tullie’s museum galleries cover Roman Carlisle and local history, while Bitts Park has gardens, riverside paths and play areas. Carlisle Castle adds a historic visit in the same compact quarter.
Help on the day and afterwards
In an emergency
Call 999 and give the address, Carlisle Racecourse, Durdar Road, Carlisle, CA2 4TS. Then tell a member of staff.
Accessibility
Blue Badge parking is signposted, in the North Car Park opposite the Premier Entrance.
After your visit
Official results are on the BHA results page.
A little history
- 1559Carlisle stages an early recorded horse race for a silver bell; the Carlisle Bell is now regarded as the oldest sporting trophy in the world.
- 1904Carlisle Racecourse moves from Belle Vue to its current site at Durdar.
More Carlisle guides
Compare the enclosuresPrices, views, dress codes and entrances side by sideAccessibilityParking, viewing areas, toilets and personal assistant ticketsYour first racedayHow a day at the races worksOther racecoursesPlan a trip to another course
Prices, dates and travel details were checked on 2 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 Carlisle Racecourse or The Jockey Club. Some links may earn us a small commission if you book, at no extra cost to you; this never decides what we recommend.