VisitEngland names top 10 racecourses

The top 10 racecourses in the VisitEngland “Quality Assured Racecourse Scheme” have been revealed.

Ascot, Doncaster, Epsom Downs, Exeter, Newmarket, Plumpton, Salisbury, Wincanton, Royal Windsor and York racecourses rated highest in England and Wales in 2013 for visitor attraction (listed alphabetically).

Racecourses are assessed over a number of criteria, including the efficiency and friendliness of their customer service and the availability and cleanliness of facilities.

Last year VisitEngland including owners’ and trainers’ facilities in their assessments for the first time, which is reflected in each racecourses overall score.

All 10 racecourses “showed exceptional scores“.

The scheme will continue for 2014 and will see the introduction of accolades including:

* Best food outlet (takeaway style)

* Best café (walk-up only, seated meals, can be buffet/table service)

* Lovely loos

* Visitor information and signage (racecard, internal and external signage, car parks, PA and CCTV)

* Best bar area

“We are delighted to be able to continue our partnership with VisitEngland to offer customers a guarantee of quality when they visit British racecourses,” said the Racecourse Association’s (RCA) Caroline Davies.

“This scheme, along with the one run by VisitScotland makes sure that racecourses are able to get constructive feedback which they can use to help them identify their strengths as well as areas that may need improvement.

“The variety in the racecourses that have made the top ten in 2013 is testament to the fact that you don’t need to be a big racecourse to offer a top quality visitor attraction and we believe the changes that we have made to the scheme in 2014 will only go to help racecourses achieve even more in this area”.