What are the 4 best racecourses in the UK?

. The best racecourses are in all corners of the country, which means that it is accessible for all fans of the sport to see the biggest stars.

However, some courses are more famous than others, with certain meetings grabbing the attention of hundreds and thousands of fans.

While in the US, the biggest racecourses are Del Mar, Churchill Downs and Tampa Bay Downs Race Track, the UK racecourses have their own magic and personality.

So, what are the four best racecourses in the UK?

Of course, there are big festivals throughout the year, but nothing comes close to excitement levels when the Cheltenham Festival is approaching. It is the home of National Hunt racing, and every year millions of fans are glued to the racing on the track, as Ireland and the United Kingdom compete for dominance.

It is the festival for the die-hard lovers of the sport, as the racing takes front and centre of the attention as the biggest prizes are handed out.

The biggest race of the meeting is the Cheltenham Gold Cup, which is held annually on the Friday of the meeting. Fans that are looking to explore the course before the big festival can also attend race days at Cheltenham in October, November and December.

While the biggest National Hunt meeting of the season takes place at Cheltenham, it could be argued that the race that draws the novice viewers to the sport is the Grand National. The race is a staple of British life, as everyone makes a habit of watching the race annually with friends and family. Nothing comes close to the Grand National, as a field of 40 looks to win the most lucrative prize on the National Hunt calendar.

It is a perfect course for visitors too, as it is situated just a short distance outside of Liverpool. There is extra emphasis on fashion when attending Aintree, while the action on track also sees the brightest stars shine.

For lovers of flat racing, Ascot meetings are a must. The biggest of the season is Royal Ascot, which is one of the most unique of the season as Queen Elizabeth attends it herself. There are 26 days of racing throughout the year at Ascot, which also includes National Hunt meetings as well as flat.

There are nine Group 1s on the calendar at Ascot, with the majority of those taking place during the royal meet. However, one of the other big race days comes as the King George & Queen Elizabeth Stakes takes place. This is one of the most fashionable race days on the calendar, as all visitors entering certain zones must be wearing a top hat. However, there is no better reason to get dressed up.

Newmarket is a hotbed full of racing fanatics, and is a must-visit for all lovers of the sport. It is the HQ of flat racing, as the whole town is devoted to the sport.

There are two racecourses at Newmarket, the Rowley Mile and the July Course. The prior mentioned course is the home of one of the biggest races of the season, as the 1,000 and 2,000 Guineas are competed on the Rowley Mile.

The July Course is only in operation during July and early August, with the featured race being the July Cup. 

Meanwhile, the final race day of the season at Newmarket takes place in October, with the featured races coming in the form of the Group 1 Middle Park Stakes and Dewhurst Stakes, which are both run over the Rowley Course. However, a day out at Newmarket is a must for all lovers of the sport regardless of when you visit.

Keep up with the top stories from Reader’s Digest by subscribing to our weekly newsletter.