Car To Course at Ripon

Who it suits

• A group of up to four adults who would rather bring one vehicle into Course than park in the free main car park.
• Families who want to keep a picnic and extra layers nearby while using the open Course viewing area.
• Visitors who want an informal finish-line view and accept that the car area is open-air with limited cover.

Ticket prices

2026 price for one vehicle, not per person. It includes admission for up to four adults to the Course Enclosure; buy additional Course admissions if your party has more than four adults. Advance tickets were available online until 9am on raceday; on-the-day tickets were subject to availability.

Check availability on the official site

Where your ticket takes you

• Drive directly into the Course Enclosure using the vehicle entrance and the Car To Course ticket.
• Use the Course’s finish-line viewing, bar, food outlets, betting facilities and permanent play park.
• Walk to the Paddock or Club only if you also hold the relevant higher enclosure ticket; Course/Car To Course does not grant access to those areas.
• Bring picnic food and the permitted amount of canned alcohol into Course, and use the open grass area around the car.

Not included

• The vehicle ticket does not include entry to the Paddock or Club; these require a separate ticket or higher enclosure admission.
• Only up to four adults are included per car. Additional adult Course tickets must be bought separately.
• It does not reserve covered seating. The Course area is open grass with limited shelter.

The view

With Car To Course, visitors drive into the centre of the racecourse and park in the Course Enclosure, close to its finish-line view. Ripon’s FAQ recommends the ticket for visitors who want to bring a vehicle into that area, and the 2026 tickets page says one ticket includes up to four adult admissions. It is designed as a relaxed car-side option rather than a grandstand seat. The wider Course Enclosure is largely grass, with limited cover; for a covered seat or close Parade Ring visit, the Club Stand or Paddock has those facilities.

Food and drink

The car admission makes a picnic convenient, while the Course Bar and local food outlets remain available on foot.

Facilities

Dress code

There is no formal dress code in the Course Enclosure. Dress with taste and decency; bare chests and clothing with offensive messages are not allowed, while non-offensive fancy dress is permitted. The car area is open-air, so bring weather-appropriate clothing and practical footwear for grass. If your party plans to visit Club as well, the smart Club dress code applies there.

Getting in

Select “Car To Course” when booking and follow the vehicle signs to the Course entrance. In 2026 the advance price was £27 per car for Feature fixtures and £22 for Standard and Evening; on-the-day prices were £30 and £25 respectively. The ticket included admission for up to four adults; additional adults needed separate Course admission. Advance tickets left online sale at 9am on raceday and on-day availability could not be guaranteed. Car To Course tickets were cash only at the gate, and Ripon said it did not accept American Express. No overnight parking is permitted.

Accessibility

Accessible parking is limited and the racecourse’s designated accessible parking description refers to bays near the Club and Paddock gates. The Course is mostly flat open grass with a sloped viewing area, and the car-side option places the vehicle close to the viewing area, but the published page does not specify accessible bays or ground conditions inside the vehicle area. Contact the Access Officer on 01765 530530 before booking if a specific bay or route is needed. A free essential companion ticket is arranged through Ripon’s Nimbus Access Card process; wheelchair-accessible toilets are available around the course. The mobility buggy runs to the Paddock and Club entrances at the start and after racing, not continuously.

Full accessibility guide for Ripon

Children and families

Accompanied under-18s are free in the Course Enclosure. The ticket page says Car To Course includes up to four adults per car, while the FAQ says under-18s go free; the page does not explain whether children count towards the four-adult ticket allowance. The permanent play park is in Course and Family Day activities are free. If your party has more than four adults, add separate Course tickets for the additional adults.

Tips

• Select Car To Course in the ticket basket; the free main car park does not allow you to drive into the Course Enclosure.
• Keep within the four-adult allowance included with the ticket; extra adults need separate Course admissions.
• The Car To Course gate takes cash only on the day. Bring the right amount or buy online in advance.
• Pack for open-air viewing: Course has very little natural shade and limited shelter, though the bar has screens.
• Keep picnic drinks in cans, not glass, and stay within the four-cans-per-person limit. Barbecues are not permitted.

Upgrading

A Car To Course ticket admits guests to Course only. Paddock tickets include Course and may be upgraded to Club on the day subject to availability; contact the ticket office if you want to change enclosure after purchasing a car ticket.

Questions people ask