The entrance building at Sedgefield Racecourse

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Sedgefield Racecourse

A friendly County Durham jumps course, racing most of the year. Its biggest race is the Durham National in October, run over nearly four miles, and its Boxing Day meeting has drawn crowds since the 1920s.

  • Sedgefield, County DurhamClose to the A1(M)
  • From about £12Grandstand & Paddock
  • Durham National 18 Oct 2026The biggest race of the year
  • Boxing Day traditionSince the 1920s

Photo: peter robinson, CC BY-SA 2.0, cropped

Meetings and tickets for 2026/27

Sedgefield’s racedays for the rest of 2026. Boxing Day racing is a long tradition; check the racecourse site for this year’s date.

Sedgefield fixturesSeason 2026/27
7Oct 2026

October jumps racing

Afternoon jumps racing.

Tickets
18Oct 2026

Durham National

The Durham National, run here since 1955 over three and three-quarter miles, Sedgefield’s biggest race.

Tickets
3Nov 2026

November jumps racing

Afternoon jumps racing.

Tickets
13Nov 2026

November jumps racing

Afternoon jumps racing.

Tickets
1Dec 2026

December jumps racing

Afternoon jumps racing.

Tickets
22Dec 2026

Christmas Jumper Day

Festive jumps racing.

Tickets

Grandstand & Paddock tickets start from about £12–£14. A Day at the Races (entry, programme, a pint and a pie) is £25; Premier Plus Viewing £50.

The big race

The Durham National on 18 October.

A festive outing

Christmas Jumper Day on 22 December.

Best value

A Day at the Races for £25.

Comfort

Premier Plus Viewing, indoors with TV screens.

Which enclosure should you choose?

Sedgefield sells one public enclosure, Grandstand & Paddock. Premier Plus adds a suite and balcony; selected fixtures offer separately booked restaurant, private-suite and marquee hospitality.

Hospitality

Private Suites and Boxes

A booked private hospitality room with a host, food and public enclosure admission.

Full guide to Private Suites and Boxes

Reserved dining

Raceday Restaurant

A reserved restaurant table with meal, programme and admission; room and extras depend on the fixture package.

Full guide to Raceday Restaurant

Selected dates

Marquee Hospitality

Themed hospitality packages offered for selected fixtures, rather than a permanent public enclosure.

Full guide to Marquee Hospitality

Suite viewing

Premier Plus Viewing

An upgraded ticket with a suite and balcony view, programme, fish and chips and one drink, plus public enclosure access.

Full guide to Premier Plus Viewing

Food bundle

A Day at the Races

Grandstand admission, programme, pie and a pint of Carlsberg or soft drink.

Full guide to A Day at the Races

General admission

Grandstand & Paddock Enclosure

Sedgefield’s public enclosure, with Grandstand, pre-parade and Parade Rings, public bars, eateries and betting outlets.

Full guide to Grandstand & Paddock Enclosure

Compare every enclosure side by side: prices, views, bars and food, dress codes and entrances.

Dress code at Sedgefield Racecourse

Sedgefield describes its atmosphere as relaxed and recommends comfortable clothes for the weather, particularly for winter racing. Grandstand & Paddock uses smart-casual guidance and accepts smart jeans. The detailed restrictions exclude jogging bottoms, sports shorts and football or rugby shirts. Hospitality visitors often choose smarter clothes, and dressing up for feature meetings is encouraged but optional. Check the forecast before selecting footwear and layers so that your outfit remains comfortable throughout an outdoor raceday.

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.

Estimated totalAdd a ticket price above

Per adult–

Check parking on the racecourse site. Betting is left out on purpose.

Getting to Sedgefield

The course is just outside Sedgefield village, five minutes from junction 60 of the A1(M) and around 20 minutes by car from Durham, Darlington and Teesside.

By car

Five minutes from A1(M) junction 60

Follow the racecourse signs from junction 60. The postcode is TS21 2HW; the racecourse FAQ says parking is free and stewards direct arriving drivers.

By train and taxi

Darlington or Durham stations

Both main-line stations are about 20 minutes from the course by car or taxi. Arrange a taxi for the final leg; the racecourse does not publish a rail station shuttle.

By bus from Durham

X12 to Sedgefield Racecourse

The racecourse lists the X12 from Durham bus station, taking about 40 minutes. It runs every 30 minutes on weekdays and hourly on Sundays; check the timetable for the day’s return service.

By air

Teesside International Airport, 11 miles

The airport is between Teesside and Darlington. From there, continue by taxi or hire car. Helicopter landing at the course is possible only by prior permission.

Parking at Sedgefield Racecourse

Sedgefield offers free parking and has stewards to direct visitors on arrival. The racecourse uses the Main Gate as its single admission entrance, so follow the event directions towards that point after parking. Visiting coaches are welcome and are sent to allocated coach parking. Consult the official travel page before leaving if you need a detailed approach route, and contact the course beforehand if you require particular assistance between your vehicle and the entrance.

Official parking advice — checked 14 October 2026.

Coming by train?

Book trains to Darlington.

Hotels near Sedgefield Racecourse

Sedgefield has places to stay in the village and beside Hardwick Park; Durham city offers a larger hotel choice and historic centre for an overnight break.

Sedgefield and nearby

These stays are in Sedgefield or close to the racecourse; check transport back from the course if you plan to drink with dinner.

  • Travelodge Sedgefield, on the outskirts of the village, close to the course
  • Hardwick Hall Hotel, country-house hotel beside Hardwick Country Park
  • The Impeccable Pig, village restaurant with 12 bedrooms
  • The Hardwick Arms Hotel, independent hotel, bar and lounge in the village

Durham city

A city base puts the cathedral, castle, river walks and restaurants within reach, with the course about 20 minutes away by car or taxi.

  • Hotel Indigo Durham, boutique hotel in the restored Old Shire Hall
  • Radisson Blu Hotel Durham, city-centre hotel beside the River Wear
  • Delta Hotels Durham Royal County, central hotel overlooking the river and historic core

Find a hotel

Compare hotels near Sedgefield.

Affiliate link: we may earn a commission if you book, at no extra cost to you.

Evenings in County Durham

Sedgefield village has restaurants and traditional pubs; Durham city provides more choice for a later evening.

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The Impeccable Pig

A Sedgefield restaurant with rooms in the former village pub, serving dinner on Front Street.

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The Hardwick Arms

A village-centre hotel with bar and lounge, useful for a relaxed drink or meal close to Sedgefield’s green.

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Rib Room Steakhouse & Grill

At Hardwick Hall Hotel, this restaurant serves dinner in a country-house setting just outside the village.

Things to do while you are here

Sedgefield combines a small market-town centre with a country park, while Durham city makes a worthwhile longer excursion.

Hardwick Park

Explore a landscaped park with a one-mile historic circuit, lake, visitor centre and café. The park’s walking and cycling routes suit a slower day between race meetings.

St Edmund’s Church

This parish church is more than 750 years old and has a 30-metre Norman tower, Elizabethan woodwork and other historic features.

Durham Cathedral and Castle

In Durham city, the cathedral and castle share a dramatic riverside site recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Pair the visit with a walk through the old city.

Beamish, the Living Museum of the North

This open-air museum uses historic buildings, vehicles and costumed interpreters to tell the story of everyday life in North East England.

On the day

Sedgefield publishes times for each fixture and recommends checking the specific event page because schedules can change.

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Source: Sedgefield Racecourse Durham National 2026 event page, checked 2 October 2026. The published event schedule gives gates, first and last race times.

Dress for the weather

The racecourse recommends smart casual clothing and advises against sportswear or ripped jeans. Much of the visit is outdoors, so bring weather-appropriate layers.

Food and drink

The racecourse does not allow visitors to bring food, drink or alcohol. Bars and food outlets operate on site, with the mix depending on expected attendance.

Parking and entry

Parking is free and stewards direct cars. Gate purchases are card-only, subject to capacity; emailed tickets can be scanned from a phone.

Betting is optional

You do not need to bet to enjoy the racing. If you do, you must be 18 or over; set a limit before arriving.

Families and groups

Children aged 17 and under go free when accompanied by an adult.

Children’s admission

Children 17 and under are admitted free with an adult. Sedgefield also promotes family fixtures and themed activities; the event listing sets out any entertainment for that meeting. In town, Hardwick Park has family walking routes and a free app-based dinosaur trail.

Help on the day and afterwards

In an emergency

Call 999 and give the address, Sedgefield Racecourse, Sedgefield. Then tell a member of staff.

After your visit

Official results are on the BHA results page.

A little history

  1. 1955The Durham National is first run at Sedgefield.

More Sedgefield guides

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 Sedgefield Racecourse or Arena Racing Company. Some links may earn us a small commission if you book, at no extra cost to you; this never decides what we recommend.