Southwell Racecourse Guide

Southwell Racecourse offers a unique blend of charm, excitement and comfort as they cater for race fans on both their all-weather and turf tracks, making it one of the premier sporting venues in the East Midlands.

Here we have put together the ultimate Southwell racecourse guide packed with everything you need to know about this racing venue in the heart of England.

Southwell Racecourse Location

Where is Southwell?

Southwell Racecourse is located in Nottinghamshire, East Midlands, just outside the town of Southwell. It lies roughly 15 miles northeast of Nottingham and is easily accessible by road and rail.

How to get to Southwell Racecourse

By Train

The nearest train station is Rolleston, which is just a short walk from the racecourse. Trains to Rolleston typically run from Nottingham, Newark North Gate or Lincoln, often with a change at Newark Castle.

Rolleston Station is conveniently situated less than half a mile from the racecourse, making it a manageable 10-minute walk for racegoers.

By Bus

Bus services to Southwell from Nottingham and Newark are available via local providers such as Nottingham City Transport and Stagecoach.

By Car

• From the South: Leave the A1 at Newark-on-Trent and follow signs for the A617 to Mansfield. Follow the brown racecourse signs from the outskirts of Southwell.
• From the North: Take the A1 or A614 southbound, then the A617 west toward Southwell, and follow local signage.
• From Nottingham: Follow the A612 northeast directly to Southwell. On race days, additional signage is usually in place to direct traffic efficiently.

Southwell Racecourse Layout

Track Layout

Southwell is best known for being one of only a few UK courses to offer All-Weather racing on a Tapeta surface, having switched from Fibresand back in 2021.

It also hosts National Hunt (jumps) racing throughout the year.

The all-weather track is left-handed and oval in shape, while the jumps track is a tight circuit with a relatively short run-in.

Enclosures and Viewing Areas

Southwell Racecourse offers a range of enclosures and facilities for racegoers, including:

• Premier Enclosure
• Grandstand Enclosure
• Hospitality Suites
• Trackside Viewing Areas

Key Races at Southwell

Ferry Ales Brewery Novices’ Handicap Hurdle Series Final

A competitive and well-supported event in the jumps calendar, usually staged in the spring.

Southwell Winter Series

A regular fixture of evening racing on the all-weather surface, this series offers plenty of opportunity for lower-grade horses during the winter months.

Ladies Day Races

A popular annual event combining fashion and racing, typically held in the summer with a competitive flat card.

Southwell Racecourse History

Southwell Racecourse Opening Date

Southwell has hosted racing since 1898, making it one of the more established tracks in the UK outside of the major festival circuits.

All-Weather Milestone

In 1989, Southwell became one of the first racecourses in Britain to introduce all-weather racing, originally using Fibresand.

Southwell upgraded to the modern Tapeta surface in 2021, joining the likes of Wolverhampton and Newcastle in offering this more horse-friendly option.

Flooding Incident

Southwell was temporarily closed in 2012 following significant flooding in the East Midlands, but it has since recovered and undergone several infrastructure improvements.