Paddock Enclosure at Ripon

Who it suits

• First-time racegoers who want to watch horses in the Parade Ring before a race and still have an easy route to the track.
• Groups, friends and families looking for the most popular enclosure, with bars, food and a large grassy area.
• Visitors who want a picnic but do not want to pay for Club admission; alcohol is not allowed with picnics in Paddock.

Ticket prices

2026 prices per person. Advance sale ended at 9am on raceday; on-the-day admission was subject to availability. Paddock concessions required proof of status on entry. Groups of 11–49 received £1 off advance adult prices and groups of 50 or more received £1.50 off; the advance group offer also included one free organiser ticket for parties of 11 or more.

Check availability on the official site

Where your ticket takes you

• The Paddock Enclosure, including the Parade Ring for close-up views of the horses before they go to post.
• The main betting ring at the front of the stands, the Paddock Stand, bars, Fountains Café and food outlets.
• The Course Enclosure, which is included with Paddock admission and has its own finish-line viewing, bar, food outlets and play park.
• The Paddock grassed area and benches near the Parade Ring and bandstand.

Not included

• The Club Stand’s covered seating and Club-only dining are not included; you can upgrade on the day for the difference in ticket price, subject to availability.
• Alcohol cannot be brought in with a picnic in the Paddock, though the bars sell drinks.
• Car To Course is a separately priced vehicle ticket; regular Paddock admission does not let a car enter the Course Enclosure.

The view

The Paddock is the best public area for seeing the horses before a race: the enclosure ticket includes the Parade Ring, and benches sit on two sides of it. There is a main betting ring in front of the stands, with views of the racecourse beyond. For the finish-line angle, walk across to the Course Enclosure included in your admission. The Paddock is mostly level and combines grass with hard surfaces, so it is easier to move around than the open grass Course area.

Food and drink

The Paddock combines pub-style bars, café meals and mobile food, and you may bring a picnic to eat there without alcohol.

Facilities

Dress code

There is no formal dress code in the Paddock. Ripon asks visitors to dress with taste and decency: bare chests and clothing with offensive messages are not permitted, while fancy dress is allowed if it is not offensive. Smart casual clothing is fine. Wear shoes that can handle grass as well as hard paths, especially after rain.

Getting in

Use the Paddock ticket gate. Gates typically open around two hours before the first race; the hour before the first race is the busiest period for the car park and entry gates. The 2026 advance price was available online until 9am on raceday; on-the-day tickets were sold subject to availability. Tickets could be bought online or by phone in advance. No dogs are allowed except assistance dogs. If you leave the course during the day, ask staff at the Paddock entrance for the return pass before going out.

Accessibility

The Paddock is completely flat, with a ramp to a raised viewing point near the finishing posts. The ground from parking to the Paddock gate is level, and the course has limited accessible parking spaces nearby. Wheelchair-accessible toilets are available around the site. Ripon offers a free companion ticket through the Nimbus Access Card process; apply for a free digital card and call the Access Officer on 01765 530530 with the card ID to arrange entry. A mobility buggy runs from the coach park/back of the car park to the Paddock and Club entrances at the start of the day until about 45 minutes before the first race, then resumes after the final race.

Full accessibility guide for Ripon

Children and families

Under-18s go free when accompanied by an adult. The Paddock’s permanent climbing frame gives children a place to play, and free activities are added on Family Days. Baby-changing and high chairs are available. The Paddock is also a convenient choice for families who want to watch horses in the Parade Ring and can use the included Course Enclosure play park later. Students aged 18 and over and people aged 65+ could buy 2026 concession tickets; valid proof was required on entry.

Tips

• Be at the Parade Ring about 15 minutes before a race to see the horses; Ripon’s new-racegoer guide says this is when runners are typically there.
• Use your included Course access for the finish-line view, then return to Paddock for the Parade Ring before the next race.
• If booking a group, the 2026 advance discount started at 11 people; parties of 11 or more also received one free organiser ticket.
• Bring a picnic if useful, but do not bring alcohol to eat with it in Paddock. The Course Enclosure has a separate allowance for canned drinks.
• For an easier start, aim to arrive before the last hour before the first race, when Ripon says entry and parking are usually busiest.

Upgrading

Paddock tickets may be upgraded to Club on the day, subject to availability, by paying the difference in ticket price. Paddock admission already includes the Course Enclosure.

Questions people ask