12Nov 2026
Opening Raceday
Opening fixture of Taunton’s 2026/27 jumps season.
Tickets
Meetings and tickets for 2026/27
Taunton’s National Hunt season runs from November to April. These dates are from the racecourse’s published 2026/27 fixture list.
Taunton fixturesSeason 2026/27
26Nov 2026
Autumn Raceday
Autumn jumps racing at Orchard Portman.
10Dec 2026
Christmas Sparkle Charity Raceday
Pre-Christmas racing with a charity theme.
21Dec 2026
Christmas Jumper Raceday
Festive jumps racing before Christmas.
30Dec 2026
BoyleSports New Years Raceday
Taunton’s major holiday meeting features the Listed Byerley Stud Golden Ace Mares Novice Hurdle.
Buy before midday the day before racing to get the advance discount. New for 2026/27: a £50,000 bonus if a Taunton novice-hurdle winner goes on to win at the Cheltenham Festival.
The big one
The 30 December meeting.
Spotting future stars
The new bonus novice hurdles.
By train
The courtesy coach from Taunton station.
A quieter visit
A Thursday afternoon.
Which enclosure should you choose?
Taunton has one public enclosure. General admission covers both grandstands and the centre course; dining and hospitality packages are booked separately.
One public enclosure
General Admission
Access to the Orchard and Portman grandstands, paddock and winners’ enclosure, Saddle Room Café and centre course.
Dining & hospitality
Restaurants, Suite & Boxes
Pre-booked Orchard Restaurant and Exmoor Suite packages include course admission; private boxes are available by enquiry. The Paddock Restaurant is for members and connections only.
Compare every enclosure side by side: prices, views, bars and food, dress codes and entrances.
Dress code at Taunton Racecourse
Taunton has no dress code and recommends sensible footwear and clothes chosen for the weather. It encourages annual members, restaurant patrons and hospitality guests to dress smartly, without presenting formal outfits as a general admission requirement. Check the forecast before choosing your layers and footwear, and think about the time you will spend outdoors during the meeting. If you have booked a specific dining or hospitality package, consult its instructions or ask Taunton for clarification before travelling. This keeps your outfit choice aligned with the area you have actually booked.
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 Taunton
The racecourse is at Orchard Portman, around two miles south of Taunton and close to M5 junction 25.
Courtesy coach
On recent racedays it has left the station 90 minutes before the first race and returned 30 minutes after the start of the last; check the times for your raceday.
By car
Follow signs for the racecourse. Free parking on site.
Local bus and walking
Local bus services stop around 150 yards from the course, but the approach has no footpath or lighting. Taunton town centre is about two miles away, also with no footpath for part of the approach; the courtesy coach or a taxi is a safer practical option.
By rail
Taunton is on the main line, with direct services from London Paddington, Bristol, Exeter and other South West destinations. Use the free raceday coach between the station and racecourse; its timetable is tied to the day’s first and last races.
Parking at Taunton Racecourse
Taunton provides free parking opposite its main entrance on the B3170 and in the centre of the course. Accessible spaces are clearly designated in all car parks. Follow the official directions and on-site signs for the area you are using, and contact the course beforehand if you need to discuss the route from your car. Check your fixture’s admission time when planning arrival rather than assuming parking access means the racecourse gates are already open.
Official parking advice — checked 14 October 2026.
Coming by train?
Book trains to Taunton.
Hotels near Taunton Racecourse
Taunton makes the easiest base for transport, restaurants and the Museum of Somerset; rural inns and gardens lie on the edge of town.
Taunton town centre
Stay near the station and centre if you want to walk to restaurants, the museum and evening venues.
- The Castle Hotel, historic hotel on Castle Green with Brazz restaurant
- The Corner House Hotel, 45-room hotel, bar and restaurant near the centre
- Royal Ashton Town House, guest accommodation a short walk from the station
Town edge and countryside
These options give a quieter base while keeping Taunton and the surrounding hills accessible by car.
- Taunton House Hotel, ensuite guest accommodation in Taunton
- Farthings Country House Hotel, country house hotel near the town
- The Rock Inn, Waterrow, village inn with rooms west of Taunton
Find a hotel
Compare hotels in Taunton.
Affiliate link: we may earn a commission if you book, at no extra cost to you.
Evenings in Taunton
Taunton’s town centre has independent restaurants, bars and a theatre, all separate from the racecourse at Orchard Portman.
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Dinner at Brazz
The Castle Hotel’s town-centre brasserie serves a modern menu with locally sourced ingredients.
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@ Tristans bar and bistro
A central bar and restaurant option for dinner or a drink in the heart of Taunton.
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A show at Taunton Brewhouse
The town’s theatre and arts centre runs plays, comedy, music and film screenings; browse its current programme for an evening event.
Things to do while you are here
Taunton combines a compact historic centre with gardens and countryside just outside town.
The Museum of Somerset
Set inside Taunton Castle on Castle Green, the museum tells the story of Somerset through archaeological, social and natural history collections.
Vivary Park
A central park with gardens and open lawns, also home to Taunton Flower Show, which has been held there since 1866.
Hestercombe Gardens
Explore 50 acres of landscape and formal gardens shaped across three centuries, including work by Gertrude Jekyll and Edwin Lutyens.
Taunton Heritage Trail
Follow the town-centre route linking Taunton Castle and other historic landmarks; the Somerset visitor guide provides a downloadable trail map.
On the day
Taunton publishes fixture-specific gate times and practical guidance for getting around the course.
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Source: Taunton Racecourse 2026/27 race days calendar, checked 2 October 2026. These are published gate opening times; race times may differ by fixture.
Gates and arrival
Gates usually open two hours before the first race. The racecourse recommends arriving at least an hour before racing to explore, eat or get a drink.
One main enclosure
A general admission ticket gives access to the Orchard and Portman grandstands, the parade and winners’ enclosures, restaurant and café, plus the centre course via the public crossing.
Centre-course dogs
Dogs are allowed on leads in the centre course, but not on the grandstand side except for assistance dogs.
Betting is optional
You do not need to bet to enjoy the day. If you do, you must be 18 or over; decide a limit before you start.
Families and groups
Accompanied children under 18 are admitted free to Taunton fixtures.
Family fixtures
Children under 18 enter free when accompanied by an adult. The 2026/27 calendar includes a Family Fun Day on 8 April 2027; the racecourse’s event listings provide the activity programme for that meeting.
Help on the day and afterwards
In an emergency
Call 999 and give the address, Taunton Racecourse, Orchard Portman, Taunton, TA3 7BL. Then tell a member of staff.
After your visit
Official results are on the BHA results page.
A little history
- TodayChampion Hurdlers Rooster Booster and Rock On Ruby both raced at Taunton on their way up.
More Taunton guides
Compare the enclosuresPrices, views, dress codes and entrances side by sideAccessibilityParking, viewing areas, toilets and personal assistant ticketsYour first racedayHow a day at the races worksOther racecoursesPlan a trip to another course
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 Taunton Racecourse. Some links may earn us a small commission if you book, at no extra cost to you; this never decides what we recommend.