Looking for something horsey to do to round off your Easter weekend without breaking the bank? With most entry fees around £10, don’t miss your local point-to-point fixture — a great day out for all the family. Whether you’d like a glimpse of Cheltenham Gold Cup winner Coneygree, to absorb beautiful views of the Pembrokeshire cliffs or bag yourself a bargain at a country tradestand, here’s what is happening where on Monday 6 April.
Easter Monday point-to-point meetings
1. Cumbria
Cumberland Farmers, Dalston
The far side of this flat course runs alongside the River Caldew. Dalston usually attracts a good field of entries for its six scheduled races, and the track’s galloping nature is sure to provide great action.
Admission: £10 per person including a racecard. Under 16s free.
Location: 4 miles south west of Carlisle on the B5299. Take exit 42 off the M6. Postcode CA5 7JA.
First race: 1pm
2. Kent
East Kent with West Street, Aldington
This racecourse is undulating, which makes for brilliant viewing if you stand in the middle of the track or in the hillside car park. There is plenty of parking and six races on the card.
Admission: £10 per person. Under 16s free.
Location: 6 miles south east of Ashford. Take exit 10 or 11 off the M20. Postcode TN25 7EJ.
First race: 2pm
3. Cornwall
Four Burrow, Trebudannon
One of the best things about this fixture is the easy viewing of the home straight. Trebudannon is a scenic course and, although predominantly straight, there is a gentle incline towards the final bend. Eight races are scheduled.
Admission: £10 per person (maximum £30 per car).
Location: 5 miles east of Newquay near the A39. Postcode TR9 4LP.
First race: 1pm
4. Gloucestershire
North Cotswold, Paxford
Besides a full racecard (seven races), don’t miss the opportunity to picnic out of the back of your car, meet the North Cotswold hounds and explore the country tradestands and food stalls.
Admission: £10 per person.
Location: Two miles east of Chipping Campden between B4035 and B4479. Postcode GL55 6XS.
Gates open: 10.30am
First race: 1pm
5. Oxfordshire
Old Berkshire, Lockinge
This fixture is renowned for drawing a big crowd — as many as 10,000 — and boasts superb viewing of the start and finish. As well as the six point-to-point races there are two pony races, a hound parade and a farmer’s market. Plus don’t miss your chance to see Cheltenham Gold Cup winner Coneygree, who will be parading before the racing starts. Retired national hunt trainer Henrietta Knight is also due to start her first point-to-point runner, Port Golan, in more than 25 years.
Admission: £25 per car; £30 forward parking; £10 single occupancy; £5 pedestrians.
Location: 8 miles north west of M4 exit 13. 2 miles south east of Wantage on the B4494. Postcode OX12 8PA.
Gates open: 9am
First race: 2pm (pony racing from 12.30pm)
6. Nottinghamshire
South Notts, Thorpe Lodge
This flat course is almost square and a viewing slope gives a good view of the finishing straight. There are seven races on the card. There is only one entrance and exit, but parking is good and traffic usually flows well — and if you happen to travel by helicopter, there is even a landing pad.
Admission: £10 per person. Under 16s free.
Location: 4 miles south west of Newark-on-Trent near the A46. 5mins from the A1. Postcode NG23 5PY.
First race: 1pm
7. Wales
South Pembrokeshire, Lydstep
If you visit Lydstep, try not to be distracted by the spectacular views over Pembrokeshire cliffs and Caldey Island. This fixture is always popular on Easter Monday and whether you’re a die-hard point-to-point fan or just looking for a nice day out, the undulating course with two tight bends and downhill fences will have you gripped on the racing action. For the very keen, there is a cross-country running race at 12pm and pony racing follows the point-to-pointing.
Admission: £10 car and driver; £5 per head.
Location: 3 miles south west of Tenby near the A4139. Postcode SA70 7SG.
First race: 1pm
8. Shropshire
South Shropshire, Eyton-on-Severn
This is one of the older courses in the calendar and there are an impressive 13 fences for horses to negotiate on each circuit. The final three are close together on this flat, galloping course with good viewing from the side of a hill. There are seven races on the card, plus ample car parking and the fairground is a hit with children.
Admission: £10 per person. Under 16s free.
Location: 7 miles south east of Shrewsbury near the B4380. Postcode SY5 6PW.
First race: 1pm
9. Yorkshire
Staintondale, Charm Park
This course is quite exposed so, depending on the unpredictable British weather, be prepared to wrap up warm or protect yourself from the sun. Course viewing is good from the top of an old railway embankment, but don’t forget your binoculars if you want to monitor what’s happening at the far end of the course. There are six races scheduled.
Admission: £10 per person. Under 16s free.
Location: Off the A170 near Wykeham. 6 miles south west of Scarborough. Postcode YO13 9QU.
First race: 2pm
10. Somerset
Taunton Vale, Kingston St Mary
There are plenty of tradestands to explore here. The course is undulating, with a steep climb and downhill run. Viewing is best from the top of a hill, which is quite a walk to get to. There are seven races on the card, which are preceded by pony racing.
Admission: £10 per person (maximum £30 per car).
Location: 3 miles north of Taunton off the A361, exit 25 off the M5. Postcode TA2 8AS.
First race: 1.30pm (pony racing from 12.30pm)
11. Hampshire
Vine & Craven, Hackwood Park
Fair viewing and car parking space at this fixture. The course is on a slope with horses running uphill to the finish.
Admission: £30 and £40 per car; reserved enclosure £50.
Location: 2 miles south east of Basingstoke and signposted from the A339 Alton Road, exit 6 off the M3. Postcode RG25 2JZ
First race: 2pm
