What makes the Exeter Racecourse so special?
The Exeter Racecourse has a long and illustrious history dating back to the 17th century. It’s one of many horse racing tracks launched by King Charles II. And it has been an iconic racecourse for over 300 years.
Today, the Exeter Racecourse is a popular venue for competitive and charity horse racing events like the Dartmoor ponies, the Devon Air Ambulance and the Haldon Gold Cup. Is it worth a visit? Absolutely, especially if you want to have these experiences.
All-year Round Events
The Exeter Racecourse is busy nearly every week. This year has been an exception, though. And still, to be clear, the racetrack has been welcoming visitors whenever there’s an event.
Being an established racecourse, the Exeter racecourse focuses on more than just horse racing. It also features restaurants, bars and family events. Of course, the major theme is horse racing. So, visit prepared to watch immense racing action.
This guide takes an in-depth look at the Exeter Racecourse, more so, its design, events and interesting facts. It also provides actionable horse race betting, from bet types and strategies to betting sites and managing your budget.
Nestled Within Historic Sites
If you're like many people that visit the Exeter racecourse every year, you might want to tour some historic places in the city. The most recommended place is Exeter Cathedral. It features a gothic design, an astronomical clock and a vaulted ceiling.
Another attraction site is the quayside, a local area located close to the river in which Exeter got its name. It’s full of coffee shops, restaurants and beautiful scenes. If you want more views, visit the beachside, where you can meet fishermen and even participate in a fishing trip.
It’s close to the City Centre
Being the capital city of Devon, Exeter is many people's visit city to shop when they visit the racecourse. From malls to small stores, gift shops and everything in between, it's rare not to find something you want to buy in Exeter.
If you’re feeling more adventurous, you can also take out of town trips to for small-town shopping experiences in Totnes or Topsham. The latter hosts Darts Farm, a marketplace for organic produce, local wines, artisan cheese and cake.
Spaced Schedule Allows for Outdoor Events
Although the Exeter racecourse hosts events nearly every week, it still leaves time to let tourists enjoy the city. And that’s when you can experience water sports like sailing, kite surfing and windsurfing.
Alternatively, you can pay for canoe trips, some of which also comes with fishing lessons. Or you can saddle up for horse riding along with Exeter's most beautiful places. Additionally, you can take a trip to the Go Ape, play a few rounds of gold or experience skiing at the Exeter Dry Ski Slope.
The RAMM Museum
Watching horse racing is great, but you can spice up your experience by visiting the Royal Albert Memorial Museum & Art Gallery. It’s beautiful on the inside and outside. And it has lots of stunning galleries, exhibitions and amenities.
To expound more, RAMM displays everything that relevant in the county of Devon, from wartime photographs to exhibitions and modern-day pop art. The best part is that it's free, including the WiFi in there. What's more, there's a café and shop within the building.
Event Tickets are Affordable
The average ticket at the Exeter racecourse costs £10 to £15, almost the same amount most tracks in England. Sometimes there are promotions and you could end getting inside free of charge.
Booking early can also land you cheaper tickets. Precisely, the £15 price tag we mentioned earlier only applies to the race day. Otherwise, Exeter charges £10 to £13 depending on how early you book your tickets.
Of course, tickets to VIP sections cost a little bit more: £18 if you pay in advance and £20 on the event day. If you want a meal voucher and a drink, you can purchase a £25 package. Or you can dig deeper into your pockets for a proper £80 meal at the Desert Orchid Restaurant.
You can buy Membership
Enthusiast horse racing fans get a better deal by purchasing an annual membership badge than paying for tickets per event. The badge costs £195 and covers 15 events and comes with discounts for meals at the Desert Orchid Restaurant.
College students and fans aged 18 years to 24 years can also claim a £115 badge that provides access to major events. Precisely, you get access to the Warwick and Wincanton horse racing action minus extra festivals. And you also get tickets to the Cheltenham Exeter events and a few more races.
Decent Variety of Hotels
One of the best features of the Exeter racecourse is that it’s located close to high-standard hotels. In fact, you can walk to the racetrack if book a stay at some of the hotels close by. The most well-known hotel is Devon Hotel.
It's a three-star hotel with lots of dining options, a lounge bar, gym, ample parking and spacious rooms. There are more hotels in the city but few of them beat the costs and experience of Devon.
Of course, shop around to find the right hotel for you. Book early when visiting Exeter for a major horse racing event. Alternatively, consider staying at an out of town hotel. They are cheaper and provide quality meals, nonetheless.
Lots of Nice People
One of the best reasons to visit the Exeter horse racecourse is that it’s full of friendly people. People don’t segment into groups supporting one trainer over another. They don’t put on jerseys and shout at anyone who supports different thoroughbred.
At the Exeter horse racecourse, everyone goes to have fun with friends and family. You could support a different horse than your friends. And by the end of the racing events, you’ll still be close.
Outside of the Exeter racecourse, the environment is similar. People are nice and welcoming, whether you pay for a tour guide, go shopping at the Quayside or take a trip out of town.
