Horse racing has a long history in the UK and it’s often referred to as the “sport of kings” due to its popularity among royalty and nobility over several centuries. Even today, the sport retains many of its traditions that have been passed down through generations.

Most of the country’s racecourses are quite historic. However, the two newest are Ffos Las Racecourse in Carmarthenshire and Chelmsford City Racecourse in Essex, which were opened in 2009 and 2008 respectively. Before that, the last one to open was Taunton Racecourse in Somerset which began hosting races back in 1927. At the other end of the scale, Salisbury and Chester racecourses were built in the 1500s, and have more than five centuries of history behind them.

With such variety across the 59 racecourses in Britain, there is often a vast difference in terms of the experience on offer to fans. So if you’re planning to head to the races, consider some of these racecourses as they always put on a great show.

Aintree Racecourse

Aintree is home to Britain’s most famous horse race, The Grand National. The steeplechase has been running in Merseyside for 182 years, so it’s steeped in history and prestige.

It’s believed that as many as 600 million people around the world watch The Grand National on TV, with tens of millions of these coming from the UK. Thousands more also attend in person, creating a festival-like atmosphere at Aintree over the three-day festival.

For many of these spectators, The Grand National is the only horse race they watch all year, so they often need a little help in choosing which horses to bet on. For many, that means heading online to find out what reputable sites like OLBG.com’s tipsters think about the prospects of each horse.

With so much attention on the race, a huge festival atmosphere is created at the venue. Everyone is in high spirits, particularly in the build-up to the main race. Part of Liverpool comes to a standstill as extra trays are laid on for spectators who are all dressed up to the nines.

Chester Racecourse

Chester racecourse is one of the oldest venues in Great Britain and the world. It also has a unique set of features that make attending events there unlike any other on the racing calendar.

Firstly, the track is also the smallest in England, resulting in close racing. It’s also uniquely shaped, creating a challenge for runners and riders that can lead to unexpected results.

Secondly, the racecourse is located on the banks of the River Dee. It’s surrounded by higher ground, a railway viaduct, and a road bridge, creating an enclosed feeling for spectators. This can make events at Chester racecourse feel intimate and also helps to make the cheer of the crowd sound louder as it bounces off the walls surrounding it.

Finally, Chester racecourse is just a stone’s throw away from all of the city’s main amenities. Hotels, bars, restaurants, cafes, shops, and sights are all within a five-minute walk of the track, making it incredibly convenient for racegoers. It also means that the entire city turns into a party whenever the races are taking place.

Cheltenham Racecourse

Cheltenham Racecourse is another venue that’s home to one of the UK’s most prestigious events. Located in the Cotswolds, it hosts the Cheltenham Festival each March with almost 70,000 people attending.

Being the first major event of the year and coinciding with St Patrick’s Day, the Cheltenham Festival becomes a huge party for four entire days. Although the biggest race is the Gold Cup, major races take place across each day of the festival, helping to make each day as exciting as the others.

Uniquely, Cheltenham Racecourse also has two different circuits. Although broadly similar, they both create a very different challenge for the horses and their jockeys, resulting in more variety for fans.

Ascot Racecourse

Ascot Racecourse is a very special venue in British horse racing as it is the host for Royal Ascot, an event that is attended by The Queen and other royals every year. A short distance from Windsor Park, where The Queen spends a lot of her time, Ascot is a popular venue for horse racing fans.

Each of the five days of Royal Ascot begins with the Royal Procession, where The Queen and several others arrive in horse-drawn carriages, before riding across part of the circuit to get to the Royal Enclosure.

Being connected to royalty, spectators at Royal Ascot are expected to adhere to a more stringent dress code than is usually required at other events. This can create a unique atmosphere on its own, as it’s a rare occasion for people to dress up like they’re in Downton Abbey.