Pontefract
Date of Review: 6th October 2025 (First review 27th April 2022)
RCA Reviewers: Dave, Peter & Ray
Address: Pontefract Park, Park Rd, Pontefract, WF8 4QD, West Yorkshire
Website: https://www.pontefract-races.co.uk/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PontefractRacecourse/
Email: info@pontefract-races.co.uk.
Phone: 01977 781307
Phone: 01977 781307
Accommodation: https://www.trivago.co.uk/en-GB/odr/hotels-pontefract-united-kingdom?search=200-53969
Course Information:
Track Layout: (Image: credited & acknowledged to At The Races)
Pontefract racecourse is a left-handed oval-shaped track, which is sharp and approximately 2 miles in circumference, with a relatively short straight of two furlongs. It has considerable undulations and gradients, and a stiff uphill finish from three furlongs out, which means the emphasis is very definitely on stamina rather than speed. The sharp left-hand turn and short home straight suit horses that are of a nippy type. Horses and jockeys who go for home a long way out are often collared close to the winning post.
The Racecourse Advisor Guide to Pontefract Racecourse:
The racecourse is situated in the town of Pontefract in the county of West Yorkshire, immediately off the M62 motorway.
Location Map – Pontefract Racecourse
The earliest records of racing in the area date back to 1648, during the time of Oliver Cromwell, when races were held in the nearby meadows, but were often disrupted and ceased in 1769. Racing resumed in 1801 and has continued to this day. It was one of just two racecourses in the north to hold meetings during World War II, and some major races, such as the Ebor and Lincoln, were transferred to Pontefract during this time. The course was the first to establish a dope testing facility, and a photo finish camera was installed in 1952.
The racecourse was originally a horseshoe-shaped course of 1½ miles, but in 1983, it was converted into a complete circuit of approximately 2½ miles. This made it the longest continuous flat racing circuit in Europe and allowed it to stage one of the longest races in the calendar, the Pontefract Marathon at 2m 5f 139y. The course traditionally began its afternoon race meetings at 2:45 pm, later than most other courses, so that miners at the adjacent colliery could finish the morning shift in time to go racing. This remained the case until the colliery closed in 2002.
Course Location & Access:
By Road: The location and access to Pontefract racecourse are absolutely superb. It is located only two miles away from Junction 32 of the M62 motorway. Other major road routes, such as the M1, M18, and A1, are all within a 10-mile radius. Exit the M62 at Junction 32, at the Xscape junction, and follow the brown signs. You will see the racecourse on your right-hand side. Follow the road up to the next roundabout and turn right into the main entrance. The postcode to use for your Sat Nav is WF8 4QD.
By Rail: Pontefract is blessed with three railway stations: Monkhill, Baghill and Tanshelf. There is also a fourth station at Glasshoughton, located near the Xscape complex, which is less than two miles from the Racecourse. Pontefract Tanshelf station is directly opposite the entrance to the racecourse, and both Monkhill and Baghill stations are approximately 2 to 3 miles away from the course.
By Air: The nearest airport to the racecourse is Leeds/Bradford (LBA), which is 19 miles away. Manchester Airport (MAN) is 70 miles away. Rating: 10/10.
Parking: There is ample free parking on a large, grassy field adjacent to the public park and lake. It is then a walk of a few hundred metres to the main entrance of the racecourse. Rating: 8/10
Pricing: On the day of our visit, it was a Tuesday afternoon “Penultimate Meeting” with a seven-race card, which consisted of one Class 2 race. One Class 3 race. Four Class 5 races and one Class 6 race. Entrance prices at the gate were £22.00 for the Premier Enclosure. £16.00 for Grandstand & Paddock Enclosure. £8 for the Picnic Enclosure and £18.00 for a car with four adults in the Picnic Enclosure. There was a £5.00 concession off those prices for OAPs and Students in the Premier and Grandstand & Paddock Enclosures, and a £3.00 concession in the Picnic Enclosure. An upgrade was available to a “Premier Gold” package for the Park Suite in the Premier Enclosure, which included admission, a guaranteed seat in the restaurant, and a buffet food menu for £95.00. Rating: 7/10.
Racecard: The racecard was one of the thinnest we have come across during our travels, with only 18 pages, including the front and rear inside pages. However, it was also one of the cheapest we have seen at only £2.00. Give or take, 40% of those pages were advertisements. It did, however, contain a full-page picture of the layout and facilities of the racecourse, which is always a big plus point with us. Apart from the runners and riders, it also provided a few statistics for each race, along with the usual Timeform comments. It also had a thumbnail sketch of the track and the starting position for each race, which is another plus point. For only £2.00, we really can’t complain too much. We do, however, recommend downloading and using the free “racedayready” app, which, in our opinion, is quite good.
Viewing: The overall viewing experience at Pontefract Racecourse is poor. For the shorter races that are less than a mile, the viewing is good. However, for the longer races, it is not good at all. The horses disappear out of sight as they take the first bend past the finishing post, behind some trees. They are then virtually out of sight as they pass the public park and lake until they approach the bend at the end of the back straight, which is approximately 30-35% of the total duration. Additionally, there is only one large permanent TV screen situated just before the winning post, so if you are in the Second Stand, which is located way down the home straight, you really can’t see anything and are relying on the commentary of the race over the loudspeakers to know where the horses are.
There are two large stands: the Main Stand, which, if you have purchased a “Premier” ticket, is located right on the winning post, and the aptly named Second Stand, which is situated way down the home straight and starts at the one-furlong post. Both stands are large in size and are very similar in appearance.
The Main Stand – Pontefract Racecourse
The Main Stand has four rows of green plastic seats at the back of the stand, as well as around ten concrete terraced steps. There is cover, however, it is limited, and if you are standing at the front or halfway up the stand, then you are exposed to the elements.
The Second Stand – Pontefract Racecourse
As stated above, the stands are nearly identical to each other; however, this stand doesn’t have any plastic seating areas. It does have one row of wooden bench-style seating at the very rear. The cover/shelter issue is the same as the Main Stand; there is not a lot of it. Additionally, from this vantage point, you do not have access to the winning post on the rails. You are restricted to being around 25 yards away from the finishing line, which is obviously not ideal. The good news is that in front of both stands is a large, lawned area, which, to be fair, is in excellent condition, featuring a good number of wooden, picnic-style tables and benches. Rating: 5/10.
Parade Ring / Winners Enclosure: The Parade Ring at Pontefract Racecourse is located at the rear of the Main Stand. It’s not large in size, but it's more than big enough.
The Parade Ring - Pontefract Racecourse
The centre of the ring features a lawned area, which is in top condition, with a hedge surrounding its whole perimeter. It has raised terracing at each end and several wooden benches. The overall viewing is actually very good.
The only downside is that access is restricted down the full length of one side as it backs onto the saddling enclosures. The Pre-Parade Ring is adjacent to it on the right-hand side. This is large in size, and the viewing is good. The Winners Enclosure, and that’s precisely what it is, as only the winning horse has entry into it, is positioned directly in front of it next to the weighing/jockeys room.
The Winners Enclosure - Pontefract Racecourse
We think it's fair to say it is somewhat bijou in size, but as mentioned, only one horse goes into it. Viewing can get a little cramped around its front due to its small size. However, once again, the interior area of the enclosure is lawned and very well-maintained, lined with some attractive bedding plants at the rear. We liked this area because the Parade Ring, Pre-Parade Ring, and winners' enclosure are only yards apart, and the overall viewing experience, in our opinion, is quite good. Rating: 7/10.
Bookmakers / Betting Facilities: The on-course bookmakers are located on a concourse directly in front of the Main Stand
The Main Bookmakers Ring – Pontefract 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 is also a separate betting hall with a Tote and a large William Hill betting concession located at the back of the Main Stand. There are also numerous other Tote concessions scattered across the racecourse. Therefore, 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 Premier Sports Bar, located immediately after the main entrance as you make your way to the stands.
The Premier Sports Bar – Pontefract Racecourse
It’s a bright, modern area with a light wooden bar, carpeted floors, and furnished with Rattan-style garden furniture, including tables and chairs. It was serving up food such as a selection of sandwiches for £5.10 or Deli sandwiches for £7.30 each. The star of the show is the “Flat Cap Wrap”, which is giant Yorkshire puddings stuffed with mashed potato, carrots, peas and onion gravy, served with braised beef, pulled pork, or BBQ vegetable strips for £10.35. A selection of baked cakes for £3.50 and cups of tea and coffee for £2.50 a pop. Next door to this and conveniently next to the Owners & Trainers area is the Champagne Bar
The Champagne Bar – Pontefract Racecourse
A very trendy establishment that sold bottles of Champagne for £64.00 to £71.50, depending on how deep your pockets were. A bottle of Prosecco was £33.00. They also had a selection of bottles of red or white wine, priced from £30.00 to £38.00 each. The next place we came across was the Premier Stand bar, which is on the ground floor of the Premier Stand.
The Premier Bar – Pontefract Racecourse
Once again, another modern, smart-looking place serving an extensive array of drinks, including Foster's Lager and John Smith's Smooth, for £5.60 per pint. Amstel was £7.10 and Guinness £7.50 a pint. Strongbow Fruit cider for £7.50 and Inch’s cider for £7.20. A pint of Theakstons was £6.65 and a pint of Birra Moretti was £7.50. Spirits ranged in price from £4.80 to £7.60 each, depending on your choice of tipple. Wine was £4.60 a glass and bottles were priced at £25.50 each. A bottle of Prosecco was £32.80, and the House champagne was £44.00. Soft drinks and mixers were £3.00 each.
Next up was the Paddock Lounge bar, which is located just across from the Parade Ring, and it was
The Paddock Lounge Bar – Pontefract Racecourse
Serving the same drinks at the same prices as the Premier Stand bar mentioned above. If you are hungry, then there is no shortage of food options at Pontefract Racecourse. We headed to the Grandstand & Paddock Dining Room, which is a bit more dated and old-fashioned than the other food and drink outlets on the racecourse.
The Grandstand & Paddock Dining Room – Pontefract Racecourse
In here, they were serving a selection of jacket potatoes with various fillings for £6.70 each. Fish & chips with peas were £12.40 a serving. They were also dishing up the famous “Flat Cap Wrap” and a selection of Deli sandwiches as mentioned above. The other food outlet on the racecourse is Pizza In The Paddock, located at the back of the Parade Ring and close to the Pre-Parade Ring.
The Pizza In The Park Restaurant – Pontefract Racecourse
Once again, a bright contemporary space with wooden flooring, tables, and chairs. As the name suggests, it served pizzas. A Margherita was £15.95 or £4.00 a slice. An American with Pepperoni was £16.50 or £4.25 a slice, and a Padana pizza (with goat's cheese and caramelised onions) was the same. There was also a street food vendor on site selling hot dogs and burgers for £8.00 and £8.50, respectively, as well as a portion of fish & chips with mushy peas for £12.40.
There is another food outlet that is not as well known, due to its location in the picnic area of the racecourse, which is situated at the very far end of the racecourse, called the Huggamug Café. This is open seven days a week, as it is part of the public park area adjacent to the racecourse. To be honest, it’s worth the walk down to take a look. The seating area is styled like an old-fashioned American diner
The Huggamug Café -Pontefract Racecourse
It served a decent selection of food, including a hot pork stuffing baguette for £8.50. Homemade soup for £4.50 a bowl. A selection of toasties for £4.50 each, jacket potatoes for £6.95 each. Overall, in our opinion, the racecourse offers a good selection of catering outlets and bars to suit all tastes and budgets at reasonable prices. Rating: 7/10.
Guinness Standard: Draft Guinness was being served at all the bars we visited for £7.50 a pint, which is near the top of the pricing scale relative to other racecourses we have visited. We did sample a pint in the Paddock Lounge Bar. It was nice and cold with a decent head. Not too bad at all. Rating: 7/10.
Friendliness of Course Staff: All the course staff we encountered were very friendly, polite, and helpful. We also noticed that there were a lot of litter pickers and staff on duty, and the racecourse was spotless. Rating: 10/10.
Pros & Cons: The pros are the excellent location and immediate access to the M62 motorway. It really is a doddle to get to. The free car parking was plentiful, but a word of caution is in order during winter and wet weather, as the large grassy field it is located on could easily become very muddy very quickly. The racecourse is compact and well laid out, making it very easy to get where you want to go quickly. The Parade Ring area offers excellent viewing facilities, and a good range of catering and bars is available at reasonable prices. And the good news is that all of the bars take both cash & cards.
The only major con for us, and in our opinion, it’s a significant one, is the viewing experience of the longer races, which are over one mile in distance. Additionally, if you are situated in the Second Stand, you are a considerable distance from the finish, and there is no large TV screen to view it from either.
As always, at Racecourse Advisor, at the end of every racecourse visit, we ask ourselves the question of whether we would return. The answer is yes; we would most definitely. In our opinion, Pontefract Racecourse is a very good racecourse, with a very friendly vibe about it. Rating: 7/10.
Overall Racecourse Advisor Rating: 7.7/10
Wi-Fi/Internet Connection: The Wi-Fi internet connection was excellent, and it was a refreshing change not to be asked for all of your personal details and email address. Just click on “Connect” and you're all set to go.
The entire day's racing results can be found here: https://www.sportinglife.com/racing/meeting/2025-10-06/pontefract/114825
Facilities & Course Layout Map (image acknowledged & credited to Pontefract Race Park Co. Ltd.)
Aerial View Pontefract Racecourse (image acknowledged & credited to Google Earth)
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