General Admission at Taunton

Who it suits

• First-time racegoers who want to look around instead of being limited to one grandstand or viewing point.
• Visitors who want parade-ring and winners’ enclosure views, grandstand cover, and the option to watch from the centre course.
• People who want to bring children or a dog, since accompanied under-18s are free and dogs are allowed on leads in the centre course.

Ticket prices

The official TicketCo listing for 26 November 2026 showed an adult advance ticket at £20 with a £25 gate price, and a Raceday Package at £34. Advance tickets for other dates and promotional fixtures can differ. Online admission can be bought up to noon the day before and, subject to availability, online on the day. Accompanied under-18s enter free; groups of 20 or more save a further £3 per person from the advance price.

Check availability on the official site

Where your ticket takes you

• The Orchard and Portman grandstands, with public viewing space and access to the main raceday facilities.
• The paddock and winners’ enclosure viewing areas to see the horses close up before and after racing.
• The Orchard Restaurant and Saddle Room Café, where you may buy food; a reserved meal or table package costs extra.
• The centre course, reached at the public crossing point across the track, with picnic tables, toilets and catering facilities.

Not included

• The member-only Paddock Stand and Paddock Restaurant, which are reserved for annual members and owners or trainers with a runner.
• Private hospitality boxes and reserved dining packages, which are sold separately and require advance booking.
• A guaranteed seat. Public indoor and outdoor seating is available first come, first served.

The view

Taunton is arranged around its Orchard and Portman grandstands, paddock side and centre course. The admission ticket gives public access to the course rather than requiring you to choose a single enclosure. Watch the horses being saddled and paraded near the paddock, follow them to the start and then move to the grandstand or cross to the centre course. From there you can look back across the finish and watch the racing from the opposite side. The course is set below the Blackdown Hills, with a raised accessible viewing point between the parade ring and track and a second platform in the centre course near the winning post. The public may use internal and external seats on a first-come basis; a reserved dining table is a separate package.

Food and drink

Admission includes access to public food outlets but not a meal or reserved table. Taunton’s single ticket lets you reach the Saddle Room Café and Orchard Restaurant.

Facilities

Dress code

Taunton has no dress code for general admission. The racecourse recommends dressing for the weather and wearing sensible footwear. Much of the day is outdoors, and moving between the stands and centre course involves a crossing, so warm layers and shoes suited to the conditions are practical. Sporting attire is not restricted by the general admission guidance; smart dress is encouraged for restaurant patrons and hospitality-suite guests.

Getting in

Enter at either the Main Entrance or the Taunton End Gate; both have ticket access and accessible entry. Gates normally open two hours before the first race. For example, Autumn Raceday on Thursday 26 November 2026 has gates at 10:20am, the first race at 12:20pm and the last at 3:50pm. Use the event page for the meeting you have booked because times vary. E-tickets arrive by email and can be shown on a phone or printed. Tickets are also sold at the entrances on the day.

Accessibility

All entrances are wheelchair accessible. The Orchard and Paddock stands have lifts to their floors; the Portman Stand has no lift. There are accessible toilets in the Orchard Stand, Paddock Stand and centre-course building. Raised viewing platforms are located between the parade ring and track and in the centre course beside the winning post. Free forward parking for wheelchair users is available in the car parks subject to space and is first come, first served; a drop-off point is at Taunton End. One free personal assistant ticket is available for an eligible paying guest; buy the guest’s ticket in advance, then bring the required benefits letter and photo ID to collect the assistant ticket on race day.

Full accessibility guide for Taunton

Children and families

Accompanied children under 18 enter free with a paying adult; proof of age may be requested. The racecourse’s event terms say children under 12 cannot enter the winners’ enclosure or parade ring. Some Family Fun Day activities are scheduled only on the family fixture, rather than every meeting. The ticket page says groups of 20 or more save a further £3 per adult from the advance admission price, but this does not change the free accompanied-child rule.

Tips

• Book online by noon the day before racing for the advance fare; on 26 November 2026 that was £20, compared with £25 at the gate.
• Arrive at least an hour before the first race, as Taunton recommends, and leave time to walk across the course at the public crossing.
• Use the free courtesy bus from Taunton station if you do not have a car. It is not wheelchair accessible, so arrange another route if needed.
• If you want a seat for a meal, reserve an Orchard Restaurant or Exmoor Suite package; the Saddle Room is walk-in and public seats are first come, first served.

Upgrading

The Raceday Package adds a snack voucher, drink voucher and racecard to General Admission. For a reserved table and meal, the Orchard Restaurant or Exmoor Suite sells a separate package that includes course entry.

Questions people ask