Chepstow Racecourse
Date of Review: 2nd September 2025
RCA Reviewers: Dave & Ray
Address: Chepstow, Monmouthshire, NP16 6EH
Website: https://www.chepstow-racecourse.co.uk/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ChepstowRacecourse
X: https://x.com/Chepstow_Racing
Email: info@chepstow-racecourse.co.uk
Phone: 01291 622260
Accommodation: https://www.booking.com/landmark/gb/chepstow-racecourse.en-gb.html
Track Layout: (Images acknowledged & credited to Timeform & At The Races)
Course Information: Chepstow is a dual-purpose (both flat & jumps) racecourse, oval-shaped, left-handed, and approximately two miles in circumference. Races up to a mile in distance are run on the straight course, which begins with a slight uphill gradient approaching the final home turn, then it’s predominantly downhill to the winning post, but with a number of undulations, some of which are pronounced. Due to the characteristics of the racecourse, the importance of stamina should not be underestimated, particularly when the going is soft.
The most prestigious race run here is the Welsh Grand National, which is a Grade 3 steeplechase run over three and a half miles and takes in 22 fences. As it is run in late December, the ground is usually soft, and the race can be somewhat gruelling. For this reason, many trainers use this race as a testing ground for the Cheltenham Gold Cup and the Aintree Grand National. Winners of the Welsh National include Bindaree and Silver Birch, who both went on to win the big one at Aintree, and Synchronised triumphed in the Cheltenham Gold Cup in 2012.
The National Hunt races are run from October to April, and the flat racing takes over from May through to September. The racecourse hosts around 32 fixtures per year in total.
The Racecourse Advisor Guide to Chepstow Racecourse:
The racecourse is located 18 miles from Bristol and 31 miles from Cardiff at the southern tip of the picturesque Wye Valley, close to the English border.
Location Map – Chepstow Racecourse
Chepstow is a relatively modern racecourse, having first opened in 1926; however, racing in the area dates back to 1867. In 1933, a notable piece of history was made when Gordon Richards won all six races on the card on the first day of the two-day meeting, and the first five on the second day. He had also won at Nottingham racecourse, the day before the Chepstow meeting, meaning he had won twelve consecutive races in a row (he ran second in the sixth race on the second day, losing by a neck to a horse named Lament), creating a new world record.
The course was closed during the Second World War and was used as an RAF base for Wellington Bombers, which would take off and land on a runway that was built in the middle of the racecourse. The Welsh Grand National was first run at Chepstow in 1949 and was won by a horse called Fighting Line, ridden by Dick Francis. Chepstow is now considered by many to be the premier racecourse of the three located in Wales.
Course Access:
By Road: The racecourse is situated on the A466 Chepstow to Monmouth Road, not far from the Severn Bridge (toll-free), and the access is excellent. From the M4 East (Junction 21) or M4 West (Junction 23), take the M48 and exit at Junction 2 (Chepstow). Then follow the signs to the racecourse. Use the postcode NP16 6EH for your Sat-Nav, and for What Three Words, use hoped.myself.data.
By Rail: Chepstow railway station is approximately 1.5 miles away from the racecourse on the Gloucester to Newport line. A shuttle bus runs to and from the racecourse on racedays.
By Air: The nearest airport to Chepstow Racecourse is Bristol (BRS), which is 18 miles away. Cardiff Airport (CWL) is 33 miles away, and Birmingham Airport (BHX) is 69 miles away. Rating: 9/10.
Parking: There is a large hardcore surfaced car park located immediately across the road from the main racecourse. Parking for Blue Badge Holders is also in the main car park. Rating: 9/10.
Pricing: On the day of our visit, it was a Tuesday afternoon “Flat Season Finale” fixture. It was a seven-race card, consisting of four Class 5 races and three Class 6 races. So, low-level racing. The pricing at the gate was £24.00; however, booking online in advance, tickets could have been had for £19.00. Concession tickets were also available for students and those over 60 for £19.00. Under 18s, if accompanied by an adult, get in for free. For a group of ten people or more, the advance discount price was £16.00 each.
As with most ARC-owned racecourses, a good number of upgrade packages were available. For £24, a “Day at the Races” ticket was available, which got you admission, a racecard, a pie and a pint, or a soft drink. The “Summer Cooler” offer was £29.00, which included admission, a racecard, and a glass of either Prosecco, Pimms, a pint or a soft drink. The “Premier Viewing Race Day Experience” was also available for £39 per ticket and included admission and entry into the premier viewing suite, which overlooks the home straight and the winning post, a racecard, and a choice of beer, wine, or soft drink. For £69, the “View Restaurant” upgrade was available, which got you admission, a private table, a three-course meal and a racecard. The last upgrade package was a “Balcony Box” at £99.00 each, which gave you admission and access to a private box, a racecard, and a buffet-style meal. In our opinion, the general admission price at the gate on the day of £24.00 was relatively high for the low-quality level of racing on offer (we recently visited Thirsk Racecourse and the entry price at the gate, for a similar level of racing, was £19.00). However, there was a decent selection of upgrade packages that could be had if that’s your bag. Rating: 5/10.
Viewing: The overall viewing experience at Chepstow Racecourse is good. However, it is somewhat of a mixed bag.
The Viewing Stands – Chepstow Racecourse
The three stands are all elevated above the level of the racecourse, which is good, and all feature high concrete terraced steps and have cover from the elements. None of them has any seating areas at all, which was a bit disappointing. The first stand, which is positioned in front of the Parade Ring, whilst offering an excellent overall view of the racing, is placed behind the finishing line, which means that without the large portable TV screen, it is impossible to pick the winner in a tight finish.
The Grandstand – Chepstow Racecourse
The view from the second Grandstand, which is situated before the winning post, is not so good, as eight large metal stanchions obscure the view.
The Premier Stand – Chepstow Racecourse
The most modern stand is the Premier Stand, which is located between the parade ring and the pre-parade ring, and is also situated behind the winning post. Rating: 7/10.
Parade Ring / Winners Enclosure: The Parade Ring is located in front of the grandstands immediately adjacent to the racecourse, which offers excellent viewing, even from the stands.
The Parade Ring & Winners Enclosure –Chepstow Racecourse
It is oval in shape, with the winners' enclosure and presentation area next to it on the right-hand side. Access is available to approximately half of the ring as it backs onto the racecourse itself at the rear. There are five elevated, concrete, terraced viewing steps. There are also a number of green plastic seats around the circumference of the accessible area of the parade ring.
Unfortunately, we have to report that the upkeep and maintenance of this area was far from satisfactory. A number of the plastic seats were broken off and just lay on the floor. The pedestals of the seats were exposed with extremely sharp and dangerous metal edges (see photo below).
Broken & Dangerous Seats –Chepstow Racecourse Parade Ring
In a crowded and busy area, such as the parade ring on a racecourse, this is just an accident waiting to happen. We dread to think what could happen to a small child if they accidentally walked into one of these metal edges. In our opinion, this is simply unacceptable and completely avoidable. We genuinely cannot understand why the broken seats and metal pedestals were not removed completely, as they had been in other areas of the parade ring. In our opinion, this is a total lack of care and attention, posing a danger to the public and paying customers. ARC Ltd. seriously need to up their game and sort this out, and quickly. For this reason, we have rated the area accordingly.
The pre-parade ring is situated some distance away from the parade ring, next to the jockeys/weighing room at the right-hand side of the viewing stands. It is not easily accessible, as you have to negotiate thirty concrete steps to get down to the area and back again.
The Pre-Parade Ring – Chepstow Racecourse
However, it is an attractive and nicely kept area, and viewing the horses is excellent due to the elevated standing area above it. Rating: 6/10.
Bookmakers / Betting Facilities: The main on-course bookmakers' concourse is located on a large concourse directly in front of the grandstand
The Main Bookmakers Ring – Chepstow Racecourse
On the day of our visit, around fifteen bookmakers were plying their trade, which was more than adequate for the attendance on the day. There was also a large William Hill betting concession located at the end of the Grandstand. This, along with the numerous Tote outlets on the racecourse, means placing a bet is not a problem. Rating: 9/10.
Catering: Here at Racecourse Advisor, we enjoy doing “racecourse reviews” rather than restaurant reviews. We do not pretend to be food critics. We simply aim to provide you with an overall idea of the culinary options and prices available at the racecourse on race days.
The first bar we entered was the 1926 Bar, which is located in the main grandstand. It is a large, open area with tables and metal, garden-furniture-style chairs.
The 1926 Bar & the Cwtch Coffi Bar – Chepstow Racecourse
A pint of Carlsberg was £6.40. Guinness £7.70. Kronenbourg Lager was £7.35, Somersby cider was £6.60, and a pint of Hobgoblin was £6.30. A glass of wine was £7.00, and a glass of Prosecco would set you back £11.50 (ouch!). Spirits were £5.20 and premium spirits £6.20. So, relative to similar-sized racecourses we have visited, the prices are on the high side. Also in this area is the Cwcth Coffi bar. A cup of tea was £2.50. A Cappuccino, flat white, mocha or a Latte was £3.25 each. It was also selling a range of sandwiches and wraps for £4.50 and cakes, cookies and muffins for £2.50.
The main and only area for food on the racecourse is the Grandstand Grill, which is located in the Grandstand and Paddock Bar area.
The Grandstand Grill Bar & Restaurant – Chepstow Racecourse
This establishment served burgers for £7.95, hot dogs for £6.50, chicken strips for £9.55, loaded fries for the same price, and nachos for £8.95. A “Meal Deal” could be had for an extra £1.00 to £3.00, depending on your choice, which added fries and a drink. So, a limited selection of options. As this is the only “restaurant” on the course, the queues weren’t small, so patience was required. The only other food outlet on the day of our visit was a fish & chip van, which was situated on the concourse at the very end of the grandstand.
The Fish & Chip Van - Chepstow Racecourse
This was knocking out the standards, such as fish & chips for £13.00. Cod bites and chips for £8/£11/£13.00 depending on the portion size. Scampi and chips were £12.00; chicken strips and chips were £11.00, and a battered sausage and chips were £10.00. A portion of mushy peas or curry sauce was a hefty £3.00 per serving. In the name of research, we sampled the cod bites and chips, and we weren’t overly impressed as they were very greasy. Overall, in our opinion, the catering options at Chepstow racecourse are poor, and the quality is average. It is an area that would benefit from some improvement, that’s for sure, hence the low rating. Rating: 5/10.
Guinness Standard: Draft Guinness was available at all of the bars for the not inconsiderable price of £7.70 per pint, which is the most expensive we have come across at any racecourse we have visited, with the exception of Cheltenham. Even more disappointing, it was far from being anywhere near one of the best pints of Guinness we have come across either. It was watery, with a bubbly head, where it should have been rich, with a good creamy head. It's fair to say that we were not overly impressed. Rating: 5/10.
Friendliness of Course Staff: We didn’t have much interaction with the course staff, but those we did interact with were polite and very helpful. Rating: 9/10.
Pros & Cons: The pros include excellent access to the racecourse; the parking is very good, and there is plenty of it. The viewing is good, but has its issues depending on where you are situated. The bookmakers are plentiful, and the course staff are polite and helpful. For us, the cons are the pricing at the gate, which was expensive for the low-level racing and small fields on the day (five of the seven races had seven runners or fewer). The seating around the Parade Ring was a danger zone and an accident waiting to happen.
The catering options on the day were poor, and the Guinness was even worse. One other point we feel worth mentioning is that the overall mobility of the racecourse is not good. There seem to be steps everywhere you go, and some of them are steep, so people with mobility issues need to be aware of this. We don’t say this as any form of criticism, but simply a statement of fact, as it is important. As always, here at Racecourse Advisor, at the end of any racecourse review, we ask ourselves the question of whether we would return. The answer is straightforward. No, we wouldn’t. A good number of changes and improvements are needed before we would reconsider it. Rating: 6/10.
Wi-Fi/Internet Connection: Being an ARC Ltd.-owned racecourse, the Wi-Fi connection on the track is provided by SKY.com free of charge.
If you don’t already have an account with them, then it is a bit of a faff to get online as you are required to enter your name, address, age, sex, etc. However, once hooked up and online, the connection is fine.
The entire day's racing results can be found here: https://www.sportinglife.com/racing/meeting/2025-09-02/chepstow/114110
Facilities & Location Map of Chepstow Racecourse (image acknowledged & credited to Arena Racing Company Ltd.)
Aerial View of Chepstow Racecourse (image acknowledged & credited to Google Earth)
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