FAQs
Useful Information
- The New Premier Grandstand
- A new £6.5m Grandstand is being built at Fontwell Park. This three-storey development is scheduled to open in August 2010 (see New Grandstand).
Race meetings are continuing during the construction period and we are operating with ‘one enclosure’ which means your ticket allows access to all pubic areas of the course. Temporary bars and toilets will be in place for the busier race meetings.
When the new Grandstand opens, we will revert back to two enclosures, a ‘Premier Enclosure’ and ‘Grandstand and Paddock Enclosure’.
During the construction period, if you book a table for lunch in Silks Restaurant there is a slightly longer walk to the Grandstands to view the racing. Otherwise there is virtually no disruption to our race days. - The facilities and parking
- Fontwell Park is a friendly, intimate racecourse. The facilities are all close to hand and these include the Parade Ring to view the horses before and after every race, the Winners’ Enclosure, three Grandstands, a variety of bars/catering outlets and Silks Restaurant in Fontwell House and gardens. There are plenty of takeaway food outlets.
Car parking in the main car park is free of charge. The entrance is at the southern end of the A29 Fontwell Avenue. You can also park in the centre of the course for a fee of £5 per car (in addition to the cost of admission). The centre course is the designated picnic area where you can consume your own food and drink. The centre course entrance is via Denmans Lane off the westbound carriageway of the A27 next to the course.
Tickets are priced at £20 for feature fixtures and £15 for all other meetings. You save £3 per ticket by booking in advance. There are discounts for seniors – over 60s for men and women – and students and these are available on the gate on the race day (ID may be requested). Feature meetings always include either a live band playing after racing, free children’s entertainment or high prize money.
There is a big screen for many of the feature fixtures. - How do I book tickets?
- Tickets and admission packages can either booked online or by calling the Racecourse Office on 01243 543335. A booking fee of £1.50 will be charged to all online and telephone bookings. Please note this fee is per booking and not per ticket. For all fixtures until June 2010 you will save money by booking in advance.
If you book within three days of the race meeting, your tickets will be left for you to collect on the day at the main entrance. Please bring the debit or credit card you used to make the booking.
A Racecourse Information leaflet is sent with your tickets.
You can, of course, pay on the gate on the day for all race meetings. At the moment you will need to pay with cash but credit/debit card booking facilities are being introduced in the near future. - What are the advantages of booking an ‘all-inclusive’ package?
- We have one ‘all inclusive’ package available at every meeting and this is the ‘Classic Race Day’ which includes admission, a tour of the racecourse, a £5 Tote betting voucher, welcome drink and full afternoon tea. This package is ideal for the novice racegoer.
Other ‘all inclusive’ packages are available at selected fixtures and these are always included on the ‘special offers’ page. These packages offer exceptional value for money. They have to be booked in advance. - Is Fontwell Park suitable for children and families?
- Children aged 15 and under are admitted free of charge to all race meetings when accompanied by a paying adult. On our Family Race Days, we provide children’s entertainment that is all free of charge (bouncy castles, face painters and a pets corner). At our more popular Family Race Days in May and September we have large and small fun fair rides and side shows too. There are baby changing facilities in the toilets.
- Are their facilities for people with disabilities?
- Fontwell Park aims to provide an accessible environment for all of our racegoers particularly those with disabilities. We provide parking spaces close to the main entrance for disabled customers. There are toilets for disabled customers in the Kerman Grandstand and there is a new unisex disabled toilet behind the trackside viewing ramp. This viewing ramp is for the exclusive use of disabled customers and will accommodate at least 15 wheelchairs.
There is a lift in the Kerman Stand for racegoers who require access to the hospitality suites on the middle and top floor.
Disabled customers pay full price admission unless they are dependent on a carer, in which case the carer is admitted free of charge. These arrangements cannot be made in advance and are dealt with at the main entrance on the race day. - Is there a dress code?
- Fontwell Park does not operate a strict dress code policy but customers are asked to wear smart casual clothes. Shirts must be worn at all times.
- Can I bring my dog to the racecourse?
- With the exception of guide dogs for the blind, dogs can only be brought into the centre course. They must be either tied to the car or kept on a lead at all times.
- Can I bring my own food and drink?
- The centre course is the designated picnic area and if you intend to bring your own food and drink it must be consumed in this location. Only food and drink purchased at the course can be consumed on the Grandstand side of the track.
- Can I bring my camera?
- Customers may take photographs for private purposes. Under no circumstances can they be used for publication. Please do not use flash photography near the horses.
- Do I have to pay for parking?
- Parking is free in our main public car park (off the A29 Fontwell Avenue). There is a £5 charge per car to park in the centre course (this does not include the cost of admission for the occupants). Access to the centre course is via Denmans Lane on the westbound carriageway of the A27.
- Can I bring a coach?
- Coach parties are very welcome at Fontwell Park and there is plenty of parking.
- Where can I get food and drink?
- There is a wide range of takeaway food on race days including burgers, hot dogs, bacon rolls, pasties, fish and chips, jacket potatoes, paninis, sandwiches, tea, coffee, soft drinks, cakes and baguettes.
Silks Restaurant in Fontwell House serves a three-course lunch and provides the ideal base for the day with its own Tote betting facilities and toilets. To book a table telephone 01243 543335. - Is there a cash machine at the racecourse?
- A cash machine is located in the lobby of the Kerman Grandstand.
- What happens if racing abandoned?
- Very occasionally a race meeting may have to be abandoned because of extreme weather. This is rare and racing can take place under most conditions.
If the meeting is abandoned before the first race, a full refund will be made. If the meeting is abandoned after the first race but before the third, a 50% refund will be made. If the meeting is abandoned after the third race, no refund will be made.
No refunds will be paid on the race day itself. All badges should be mailed to the Racecourse Office after the race day and refunds will be dealt with via the post. - Where can I obtain more information on race days?
- If you have any questions on arrival at the course, please contact the Racecourse Office. The race day programme contains all the runners and riders and other helpful information. These are available at the main entrance.
- Can I buy any racecourse merchandise
- A range of Fontwell Park branded gifts including caps, mugs, pens, t-shirts and fleeces is available at the Heart of the South information trailer located next to the Kerman Grandstand.
- Feedback
- If you have any feedback after your visit, please e-mail info@fontwellpark.co.uk
