4–5Jun 2027
The Betfred Derby Festival
Two days: the Oaks and Coronation Cup on Friday, and the Derby at 4pm on Saturday.
- Fri: The Oaks
- Sat: The Derby, 4pm
From (2026)£32
Tickets
Meetings and tickets for 2027
Epsom races from spring to autumn, but the Derby Festival in June is the one that matters. See the racecourse’s fixture list for its other racedays, which are much cheaper and quieter.
Epsom Downs fixturesSeason 2027
Epsom’s other racedays are much cheaper: in 2026 the Spring Meeting in April and the summer evening meetings, several with music after racing, were from £10. The 2027 dates are published by the racecourse nearer the time.
On a budget
The Hill on Derby weekend: free entry, funfair, big screens and your own picnic.
The classic Derby Day
The Queen Elizabeth II Stand, in morning dress and top hat.
A party
The Grandstand, with the O Beach marquee and the After Party.
A quieter visit
Any of Epsom’s other racedays, at a fraction of the price.
Which enclosure should you choose?
On Derby weekend the racecourse is divided into enclosures with different views, prices and dress codes. Entry to the Hill in the middle of the course is free.
Free
The Hill and DerbyFest
The open Hill in the centre of the course, with a funfair, big screens and food stalls. You can bring chairs, gazebos and tables. DerbyFest is also free, but book a ticket in advance.
Lively
Grandstand
Views of the finish, Parade Ring access, the O Beach marquee and the After Party. No official dress code.
Premium
Queen Elizabeth II Stand
The best views of the Parade Ring and Winners’ Enclosure. On Derby Day men wear morning dress with a top hat, and women formal day dress or a trouser suit with a hat or fascinator.
Compare every enclosure side by side: prices, views, bars and food, dress codes and entrances.
A course like no other
The Derby is run over a mile and a half of Epsom’s undulating, cambered track, sweeping round Tattenham Corner into the home straight. The Upper Tattenham enclosure, on the corner itself, is a good place to watch the field turn for home.
Dress code at Epsom Downs Racecourse
Epsom usually encourages visitors to choose comfortable clothes, with jeans and clean trainers among its examples. Offensive fancy dress and sports team kits should be avoided. Derby Day in the Queen Elizabeth II Stand is the important exception: its formal options include black or grey morning dress with a top hat, service dress or national costume, or formal day dress or a tailored trouser suit with a hat or fascinator. These rules also apply to Queen Elizabeth II Stand hospitality.
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 Epsom Downs
Epsom is on the edge of London, with three railway stations nearby. On Derby weekend the train is much less stressful than driving.
Epsom station
Shuttle buses run from Epsom railway station to the course and back to the town centre each day of the Derby Festival.
Epsom Downs and Tattenham Corner
Both stations serve the course; Tattenham Corner is right by the famous bend.
By car
For the 2027 Derby Festival all parking is free, and advance arrangement is recommended to secure your preferred location. Hospitality guests get a parking pass with their tickets.
Entrances
Queen Elizabeth II Stand, Grandstand, hospitality and Cedric’s guests use the Main Gate. Upper Tattenham has its own entrance on Tattenham Corner Road.
Parking at Epsom Downs Racecourse
Epsom’s standard parking is complimentary outside the Derby Festival and Bank Holiday Family Fun Day. Its FAQs direct general admission and hospitality guests to Car Park 23, members to Car Park 8, and visitors needing accessible parking to Car Park 10. Those special meetings have separate arrangements, so check your fixture instructions rather than assuming the standard allocation applies. The official accessibility page notes that raceday car parks are on grass and stewards can help identify suitable accessible spaces.
Official parking advice — checked 14 October 2026.
Coming by train?
Book trains to Epsom, Epsom Downs or Tattenham Corner.
Hotels near Epsom Downs Racecourse
Epsom is an easy day trip from London, so many racegoers stay in the capital. For Derby weekend it’s worth staying closer: there’s a hotel in the racecourse grounds, and several more in Epsom town.
Derby weekend
The few hotels near the course fill up months ahead of the Derby Festival. If they’re full, stay in London or Sutton and take the train.
On the Downs
As close as you can get.
- Holiday Inn Express London – Epsom Downs, in the racecourse grounds, a short walk from the stands, with free parking and breakfast included
Epsom town
About two miles from the course, with Epsom station and the Derby shuttle buses.
- Premier Inn Epsom Town Centre, about 1.8 miles from the course; parking a minute’s walk away at the Town Hall car park
- Premier Inn Epsom Central, close to Epsom station, handy for trains to London
- Travelodge Epsom Central, a budget option in the town centre
Further afield in Surrey
For a quieter night, a short drive away.
- The Orchid Hotel, about 4.7 miles from the course, popular with families
- Woodlands Park Hotel, about 7 miles away: a four-star hotel in a Victorian country house, with two restaurants
London
The biggest choice, with trains to Epsom.
- Around London Victoria and Waterloo, for trains towards Epsom, Epsom Downs and Tattenham Corner
Derby hotels: where to stay and travel
Find a hotel
Compare hotels in Epsom, Surrey and London for Derby weekend.
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Evenings in Epsom
Two historic pubs sit right by the course, and Epsom town has more within a short taxi ride.
- On the course
The Rubbing House
Said to be the only pub in England on a racecourse, a stone’s throw from the winning post. It began as a shelter where horses were rubbed down and has been a pub since 1801. Food all day and a terrace with views over the Downs; book a table on 01372 745050.
- Across the road
The Derby Arms
Opposite the Queen’s Stand, with a big beer garden and grassy banks that make a good spot to watch the racing. It serves lunch and dinner.
- Nearby
Tattenham Corner
A pub by Tattenham Corner station, at the famous bend of the Derby course.
- In town
Epsom town centre
Pubs and restaurants around the High Street and the market place, about two miles from the course.
Things to do while you are here
Epsom sits on the edge of the Surrey Hills, with open downland, parks and family attractions nearby.
Epsom Downs
The racecourse sits on open public downland, where racing was first recorded in 1661. Outside race days it’s a popular place for walks, with wide views across to London.
Nonsuch Park
A large park on the site of Henry VIII’s lost Nonsuch Palace, a few miles north of the course.
Chessington World of Adventures
The theme park and zoo is about three miles from Epsom, a good add-on for a family weekend.
Box Hill and the Surrey Hills
The famous viewpoint on the North Downs, a short drive south, with walks and a National Trust café.
On the day
The Derby goes off at 4pm on Saturday 5 June 2027. On other racedays, check the times for your meeting.
11:00Gates open on Derby Festival Friday (Ladies Day), 4 June 2027.
13:30First race on Derby Festival Friday; last race 17:50.
16:00The Derby, Saturday 5 June 2027.
Source: published 2027 Derby Festival timings (Racing Club guide) and the official Derby Festival site, checked 2 October 2026. Times can change nearer the day.
On the Hill
Bring chairs, gazebos, tables and a picnic. There are food stands on the Hill, but most eateries are in the Derby Village around the Grandstand.
Moving between areas
Queen Elizabeth II Stand tickets include the Grandstand, but Grandstand tickets don’t include the Queen Elizabeth II Stand.
What to wear
At most meetings Epsom asks you to dress to feel your best. The exception is the Queen Elizabeth II Stand on Derby Day: morning dress with a top hat for men, and formal day dress or a tailored trouser suit with a hat or fascinator for women. Team colours and sports team kits are not permitted.
Collecting tickets
All Queen Elizabeth II Stand and Grandstand collections are at the main entrance pavilion.
Refunds
Tickets are non-refundable. If racing is abandoned before the first race is completed you get a full refund; before the third or feature race (whichever is later), 50%; after that, nothing.
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
The Hill on Derby weekend is one of the great free family days out in racing, and under-18s go free at most other Epsom racedays.
Children’s tickets
At most Epsom racedays children go free with an adult, though tickets may be limited at busy fixtures. At the Derby Festival, children aged 4 and under go free in most areas and there are discounted tickets for 5–17s.
The rules
Under-18s must be with a parent or an adult aged 21 or over, with no more than three children per adult. Children aged 15 and under must stay with their adult; children under 12 aren’t allowed in the Parade Ring or Winners’ Enclosure.
The funfair
The Hill has a funfair, big screens and food stalls, and entry is free.
Help on the day and afterwards
In an emergency
Call 999 and give the address, Epsom Downs Racecourse, Epsom, and your enclosure or nearest landmark. Then tell a member of staff.
After your visit
Official results are on the BHA results page.
A little history
- 1780The first Derby is run at Epsom.
- 1913Suffragette Emily Davison is fatally injured at the Derby when she steps in front of the King’s horse.
- 2026Prize money for the Derby reaches a record £2 million, making it joint Britain’s richest race.
More Epsom Downs guides
Derby 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 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 Epsom Downs 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.