Autumn Festival FAQs

What’s the best way to arrive to the racecourse?

The traffic around Chester City Centre is extremely busy, especially on race days. There is currently a city-wide clockwise system in place due to major road works in and around the city. We suggest arriving at the racecourse by foot or via public transport. The racecourse is in the heart of the city centre, making it easily accessible by train, bus and park & ride services.

Which roads will be closed?

There will be road closures in place on New Crane Street, Lower Watergate Street and Nuns Road from 9am on race day. This closure is to assist in the safe ingress egress of the race attendees. Chester also has a city-wide, one-way clockwise traffic system in place due to major works – please follow all directional signage and leave plenty of time to make your journey.

If I arrive by car, which is the best route?

Chester Racecourse is easily reachable via car and is sign-posted from all major routes. The M53, M56, M6 and A483 are all in close proximity to Chester providing excellent links from Liverpool, Manchester, North Wales and the south of England.

Those visiting the racecourse by car should follow the temporary yellow signage in place on approach to the city of Chester to reach the racecourse. We recommend that you do not input the Chester Racecourse postcode (CH1 2LY) into your Sat Nav, but instead approach from Sealand Road (to the West of the city) using postcode CH1 4LD.

How early should I arrive to the racecourse?

We highly recommend that all racegoers arrive early. We advise arriving around 1 hour before the first race. The first race on Friday is at 1.50pm and the first race on Saturday is at 1.30pm. There are likely to be long queues around the racecourse especially around the time of the first race. So we encourage all customers to arrive early, have your tickets ready for scanning so you can have a smooth entry to the racecourse.

We cannot control the road closures/traffic and you may risk missing the first race if you do not leave in time.

What time do the gates open?

If you are attending on Friday 10th, gates open at 11.30 am.

If you are attending on Saturday 11th, gates open at 11am.

Which gate do I enter through?

Friday 10th

Dee Stand: Gate 8

Tattersalls: Gate 5

County Concourse: Gate 3A

Leverhulme Boxes, Paddock Rooms, Final Furlong, The White Horse, Champagne Garden, Winning Post & Shareholder: Gate 3

County Boxes, County Long Room, Chester Members, Shareholders & Roof Members: Gate 4

Restaurant 1539: Gates 4 & 5

Parade, Paddock Club & Directors: Gate 2

Saturday 11th

Open Course: Gate 9

Dee Stand: Gates 7 & 8

Tattersalls: Gates 5 & 6

County Concourse: Gate 3A

Leverhulme Boxes, Paddock Rooms, Final Furlong, The White Horse, Champagne Garden, Winning Post & Shareholder: Gate 3

County Boxes, County Long Room, Chester Members, Shareholders & Roof Members: Gate 4

Restaurant 1539: Gates 4 & 5

Parade, Paddock Club & Directors: Gate 2

What tickets will I receive?

Open Course, Dee Stand, Tattersalls, County Concourse, County Long Room, Winning Post & Champagne Garden: You will receive digital tickets. You will receive email correspondence from us with information about your digital tickets. You will also receive an email from our digital app provider in which they will send you a link to download the app and a 16-digit code to be able to link you to your ticket account. If you haven’t received this email, please contact the box office at enquiries@chester-races.com or 01244 304 610.

On the day, if you are having issues connecting to our WIFI or 4G, please turn your phone onto aeroplane mode and you will be able to access your tickets.

All Hospitality: You will have received your E-tickets from the hospitality team. If you have any issues, please get in touch (hospitality@chester-races.com).

What is the dress code in my enclosure?

Hospitality Areas, Chester Members, Winning Post, Champagne Garden, County Long Room and County Concourse: Gentlemen are required to wear a well-tailored suit or a blazer with smart trousers, together with a shirt, collar and tie. Ladies are required to wear smart dress. No denim jeans of any colour, no trainers, no sportswear, no shorts and no fancy dress will be permitted.

Tattersalls Enclosure: For gentlemen a collar is required, either polo shirt or collared shirt. Smart (not ripped) jeans, trousers or chinos are permitted. Ladies are required to wear smart dress. We encourage smart dress code in all enclosures, so feel free to dress up and enjoy the occasion. Please note that shorts, trainers, tracksuits, t-shirts, sportswear and fancy dress are not permitted in this enclosure.

Dee Stand: There is no strict dress code in this enclosure. It is however advisable to dress for the elements. Should you wish to upgrade your ticket to a Tattersalls ticket on the day, shorts, tracksuits, t-shirts and fancy dress will not be permitted.

Where can I park my car?

Car parking is available onsite for £8 and can be purchased in advance online. Advanced parking can also be purchased over the phone via the box office on 01244 304 610. Cash and card payments are accepted on the day on entry to the car park, but these spaces are issued on a first come, first served basis.

Can I purchase tickets on the day?

Yes tickets are available to purchase on the day subject to availability.

Open course tickets can be purchased at Gate 9 (Saturday only) but this is cash only.

Dee stand tickets can be purchased at Gate 8 (Friday) and Gates 7 & 8 (Saturday) via card or cash for £17.

Tattersalls enclosure ticket and above can be purchased on the day from the box office. Note – these are subject to availability on the day.

Can I bring a picnic?

If you are wanting to enjoy a picnic by your car before entering the open course, you will be directed to a specific area of the car park. This area is available to racegoers who have purchased an open course ticket and open course parking. Within this area, you are permitted to bring a moderate amount of alcohol for your picnic. All alcohol must be consumed in the car park picnic area before entering the Open Course.

We do not permit alcohol into the Open Course on foot, or through any pedestrian gates.

You can bring food and soft drinks in a sealed plastic container onto the Open Course on foot through the designated Open Course Gates.

BBQ’s are allowed in designated areas of the Car Park Picnic Area, but not the Open Course itself.

Is the racecourse cashless?

The racecourse isn’t completely cashless but most of our bars, food vendors and restaurants accept both card and cash payments. Open Course food and beverage vendors take cash only and some betting providers only take cash. So we suggest bringing both cash and card on the day.