5–7May 2027
Boodles May Festival
Three days launching the season, with Ladies’ Day and the Ormonde Stakes on Thursday and the Chester Cup, the longest race on the course, on Friday.
- Wed: opening day
- Thu: Ladies’ Day
- Fri: Chester Cup Day
Meetings and tickets for 2027
Chester races on about 15 days from May to September. The season opens with its biggest meeting, the Boodles May Festival; see the racecourse’s site for every raceday, including family and themed days.
Chester fixturesSeason 2027
Every ticket carries a £1.25 processing fee. Book ten or more tickets and the lead booker goes free in the Roodee, Tattersalls or County Concourse.
On a budget
The Roodee enclosure, from £10, with no dress code.
Close to the horses
Tattersalls, from £40, with the Paddock and Parade Ring.
Dressing up
Ladies’ Day on the Thursday of the May Festival.
Families
Chester’s Family Fun Day and Roman Day, when the Roodee has funfairs and inflatables.
Which enclosure should you choose?
Chester has five main ticket types, from the open Roodee in the middle of the course to adult-only premium areas by the winning post. A better ticket includes the cheaper areas, and children aged 17 and under go free in the general enclosures.
From £10
The Roodee
The relaxed enclosure in the middle of the course and the Dee Stand, with no dress code, picnics allowed and the first view of the horses coming out of Castle Bend.
From £40
Tattersalls
Tiered standing, the Paddock and Parade Ring, the Pavilion Lawn and trackside views of the final furlong. Smart casual.
Grandstand
County Concourse
Covered standing in the main grandstand with final-furlong views, the Champagne Bar and Paddock access.
Seated
County Long Room
A premium area inside the panoramic grandstand with seating, its own bar and Champagne Bar access.
Adults only
Winning Post and The Garden
Chester’s most exclusive public areas, right by the winning post and Parade Ring. Over-18s only.
Compare every enclosure side by side: prices, views, bars and food, dress codes and entrances.
Dress code at Chester Racecourse
Chester’s rules change by enclosure. The Roodee is relaxed and allows sportswear and non-offensive fancy dress. Tattersalls and Paddock Pass require a smarter appearance, with collared shirts and smart trousers or jeans for men. County Concourse requires a jacket or blazer with a collared shirt. County Long Room, Winning Post and The Garden also require jackets but not ties; hospitality and Chester Members require ties. Check the detailed clothing exclusions for your ticket before travelling.
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 Chester
The racecourse is in the city centre, so walking, the train and Park & Ride all beat driving in.
By train
Direct trains from London, Manchester, Liverpool and Birmingham. The walk takes you through the old streets and down Watergate Street; a taxi takes about six minutes.
Park & Ride
The Blue Line runs from Upton and Wrexham Road car parks into the city and stops by the racecourse. The Sealand Road site is currently suspended.
By car
Approach from Sealand Road and follow the yellow raceday signs. Raceday parking is on the open course in the middle of the track; buy it in advance or pay on the day. Roads around the course close on racedays.
Coaches and helicopters
Coaches can use the Little Roodee car park, open 24 hours. Helicopters land at Hawarden, Deeside; call 01244 522012.
Parking at Chester Racecourse
Chester’s public raceday parking is on the Open Course, in the middle of the track. Spaces are limited and allocated on arrival; even an advance parking purchase does not reserve a specific space. Parking can normally be added online to an admission booking or arranged through Guest Services, while arrival payments are by card. The parking pass does not include Roodee enclosure admission. Use the official approach postcode CH1 4LD and check meeting-specific road restrictions.
Official parking advice — checked 14 October 2026.
Coming by train?
Book advance fares to Chester.
Hotels near Chester Racecourse
Chester Racecourse sits right on the edge of the city centre, so dozens of hotels are within walking distance. For a country-house night, there are hotels a short drive out of the city.
May Festival week
Chester is small, and hotels within walking distance of the Roodee fill up early for the May Festival. Book as soon as you have your tickets.
Next to the course
A short walk to the gates.
- Holiday Inn Express Chester – Racecourse, in the racecourse grounds, about 150 yards from the entrance, with breakfast and free parking
- ABode Chester, a four-star hotel across the road from the course, with a fifth-floor brasserie and bar overlooking the Roodee
- Crowne Plaza Chester, about six minutes’ walk from the course
In the city centre
Walk to the course through the old city.
- The Chester Grosvenor, Chester’s five-star hotel, under 10 minutes’ walk from the racecourse, with parking for guests
- The Townhouse Chester, on Lower Bridge Street, about 10 minutes’ walk from the course
- Hotel Indigo Chester, a modern hotel with a restaurant and bar, under 20 minutes’ walk
By the river and further out
Quieter nights, a short walk or drive away.
- The Boathouse Inn & Riverside Rooms, a riverside pub with rooms, about 10–15 minutes’ walk from the course
- Rowton Hall Hotel and Spa, a country-house hotel about four miles away
May Festival hotels: where to stay and travel
Find a hotel in Chester
Compare hotels in and around Chester.
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Evenings in Chester
Chester is made for an evening out after racing: the city centre is a few minutes’ walk from the course, and several pubs sit right by the Roodee.
- Next to the course
The Architect
A pub right beside the racecourse, a few minutes’ walk from the gates and from ABode Chester.
- With a view
Brasserie ABode
The fifth-floor restaurant and bar at ABode Chester looks straight across the racecourse.
- By the river
The Boathouse Inn
A family-friendly pub on the River Dee, a short riverside walk from the course.
- After racing
Up Watergate Street
Walk from the course straight into the historic centre.
- Evening
The Rows and the riverside
Pubs, bars and restaurants in the medieval galleried Rows and along the River Dee.
Things to do while you are here
Chester is worth an extra day.
The city walls
The most complete Roman and medieval city walls in Britain; walk right round, with views over the racecourse.
The Rows
Two-tier medieval shopping galleries in the city centre.
Chester Cathedral
About 1,000 years old and free to enter.
Chester Zoo
One of the UK’s most visited attractions, just outside the city.
On the day
Gates usually open two hours before the first race. Check your raceday page for the exact times.
2 hours beforeGates usually open two hours before the first race: about 11.30am for afternoon racing and 4pm for evening meetings.
12:00Gates open on Family Fun Day; the Open Course can’t be entered before then.
Under 18Children aged 17 and under go free in the general enclosures with an adult.
Source: Chester Racecourse FAQs and Family Fun Day page, checked 4 October 2026.
Dress codes
The Roodee has no dress code. Tattersalls is smart casual (collared shirt, smart trousers or jeans; no shorts, tracksuits or sportswear). The County areas, Winning Post and The Garden are smarter: a collared shirt and suit jacket for men. Ties are required in hospitality. Shorts are only allowed in the Roodee.
Bags
Only small handbags are allowed: anyone arriving with a larger bag will be turned away. The exception is the Open Course, where you can bring a picnic. There is no left-luggage on site.
The Dee Stand
There are steep steps into the Dee Stand. For level access, use the Tattersalls Fast Track Lane at Gate 4, past Guest Services.
Refunds
Tickets aren’t refundable if you can’t attend, including during transport strikes. If racing is abandoned, the racecourse issues refunds under its terms; claims must be made in writing within a month.
Betting is optional
You don’t need to bet to enjoy the day. If you do, you must be 18 or over; set a limit before you arrive.
Families and groups
Chester is a great family day out: children aged 17 and under go free in the general enclosures.
Children go free
Under-18s get in free in the Roodee, Tattersalls and County areas with a ticket-holding adult; no child ticket is needed. Children need a pre-booked ticket in hospitality.
Adult-only areas
Children aren’t allowed in The Garden or the Winning Post Enclosure.
Family Fun Day and Roman Day
On these days the Roodee has fun fairs, inflatables and music workshops, with activities free for children. You can bring a gazebo (3 x 3 m maximum) to the Open Course.
Help on the day and afterwards
In an emergency
Call 999 and give the address, Chester Racecourse, New Crane Street, Chester, CH1 2LY, and your enclosure. Then tell a member of staff.
Box office
Call 01244 304 600 or email enquiries@chester-races.com.
After your visit
Official results are on the BHA results page.
A little history
- 1539The first recorded race meeting on the Roodee.
- 1766The May Festival is introduced.
- 1985The old grandstand is destroyed by fire and later replaced.
More Chester guides
May Festival guideEvery day, every price, hospitality and Festival travelCompare the enclosuresPrices, views, dress codes and entrances side by sideAccessibilityParking, viewing areas, toilets and personal assistant ticketsYour first racedayHow a day at the races works
Prices, dates and travel details were checked on 4 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 Chester Racecourse. Some links may earn us a small commission if you book, at no extra cost to you; this never decides what we recommend.