Kelso Races
Kelso Races
4.5
About
Kelso Races is a National Hunt Racecourse staging jumps racing from September through until May in the beautiful Borders countryside and picturesque town of Kelso. We offer a variety of Raceday Tickets and Hospitality Packages including our Track 2 Track deal, which will give you return transport from Tweedbank Station to the racecourse allowing you to leave the car at home and make the most of our hospitality! Known as Britain's Frendliest Racecourse a very warm welcome awaits. We look forward to seeing you soon!
Suggested duration
More than 3 hours
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4.5
64 reviews
Excellent
39
Very good
18
Average
3
Poor
2
Terrible
2
davidandshona
Dumfries, UK2,078 contributions
Mar 2023
Whilst travelling to Wooler for a week's holiday we saw a poster/sign advertising that Saturday 4 March was a race day at Kelso Racecourse. Having never been to the races before we decided to email to check that we could take our dog with us [we could] and then wait to see how the weather unfolded during the week.
Saturday came and it was dry, so after stopping in Kelso town for lunch we headed out to the racecourse full of excitement and anticipation at what lay ahead. We were not to be disappointed. From the moment we got our tickets until we left the racecourse some 4 hours later we had such an enjoyable time.
Saturday came and it was dry, so after stopping in Kelso town for lunch we headed out to the racecourse full of excitement and anticipation at what lay ahead. We were not to be disappointed. From the moment we got our tickets until we left the racecourse some 4 hours later we had such an enjoyable time.
Written 8 March 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
freddiedoncaster
Stockton-on-Tees, UK2,585 contributions
Jan 2020
I’m from Yorkshire, and it’s always nice to pop up further north and link together a few race meetings and stay over for a few nights. Unfortunately the governing body of fixtures now have other ideas!
In the past you could link Kelso, Hexham, Sedgefield on three consecutive days, but unfortunately no more.
Kelso is a wonderful track, very hospitable and with lovely views , it has to go down as one of my favourite tracks.
It is compact, so please consider this. The parade ring is behind the grandstand, and so are the bookies, but this doesn’t deter from a great day, or evening out!
In the past you could link Kelso, Hexham, Sedgefield on three consecutive days, but unfortunately no more.
Kelso is a wonderful track, very hospitable and with lovely views , it has to go down as one of my favourite tracks.
It is compact, so please consider this. The parade ring is behind the grandstand, and so are the bookies, but this doesn’t deter from a great day, or evening out!
Written 29 May 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
timgreen
Glasgow, UK51 contributions
Jan 2020
Smaller-scale racecourse in a beautiful setting. Good facilities and options throughout depending on your budget and preferences.
Written 27 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Michael H
7 contributions
Jan 2020 • Solo
Been to Every race course in Scotland now and Kelso my favourite. Nice relaxed place, easy to get close to the racing and a great place to eat, nice home cooking and decent prices
Written 23 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Mark A
Newcastle upon Tyne, UK552 contributions
Nov 2019
I was here a few weeks ago as part of a day trip out and the first thing that struck me was how small this place is. There were 2 bars one with no windows only tv screens and the other like something from the olden days, they were packed out and it was awful to be crammed inside them both. The food was way over priced and the drinks were too. The viewing area's were tiny too. This place has nothing on Newcastle Race Course, such a disappointment from start to finish. Will give next years day trip out a wide berth for sure......
Written 30 November 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Roy E
Oldham, UK128 contributions
Nov 2019
Excellent friendly racecourse with good facilties. Good bars and restauant with good service so minimal queing for drinks. Good terraces for viewing both at ground level and on balconies. One very reasonable price admission (£10) so you can go everywhere (apart from owners and trainers facilities of course). We really enjoed the day and will be back.
Written 11 November 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
stephen f
Perth, UK34 contributions
Nov 2019 • Business
Staff food in the stable staff canteen is of very poor quality and extremely overpriced, the racecourse won't respond to feedback even though I've made repeated efforts over the last few seasons, blatantly do not care about the staff that help to make the course a success, another staff member complained about her food and staff walked off and talked under there breath about her which is extremely rude.
Written 6 November 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Lifebeyond70
Castle Douglas, UK71 contributions
Oct 2019
This was our second visit to Kelso and we were very impressed with the condition of the course after heavy rain the night before racing - well done the groundstaff !
There are a number of options where food and drink can be obtained, and we had an excellent lunch in 'Rosie's Bistro' before racing. The new paddock and winners enclosure are a great asset and overall this is a lovely friendly little racecourse.
Viewing of the course itself is slightly limited, especially when the horses are on the far side, but this if offset by the large screen in the centre of the course.
There are a number of options where food and drink can be obtained, and we had an excellent lunch in 'Rosie's Bistro' before racing. The new paddock and winners enclosure are a great asset and overall this is a lovely friendly little racecourse.
Viewing of the course itself is slightly limited, especially when the horses are on the far side, but this if offset by the large screen in the centre of the course.
Written 8 October 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
NiallFleming
Bardon Mill, UK174 contributions
Sep 2019
We booked a Race Day package with hospitality in the Tweedie suite.
Access to the course is well signposted, parking is free and well stewarded.
The marketing of this course describes it as Britain's friendliest and this is absolutely true. Everyone, security staff, restaurant and bar personnel go out of their way to be helpful and pleasant.
The course itself is quite quirky, being a flattened figure of eight to cater for variable race lengths. The card was a good mixture of novices and established horses with a good cross section of stables represented.
There is a tote desk just outside the restaurant and the on course bookies are just down the stairs between the building and the ring. Hospitality included a good tipster putting up his recommendations well before racing started.
The menu was quite good, a mixed platter for starters, two options for mains and a choice of a triple pudding or cheeseboard.
The portion sizes were substantial, no danger of feeling hungry after this lot!
We both had the salmon. If we were to be a bit picky the salmon itself was excellent, as were the dauphinoise potatoes and vegetables, but the dill sauce was a bit of a disaster and unfortunately it was smothered over the salmon and indeed the whole plate. We think it was one of those unfortunate accidents where maybe someone had put sugar in instead of salt because the sauce tasted really really sweet! Maybe serve sauces separately in future?
There is also a bar in the restaurant and a larger one below.
An excellent evening out, we absolutely loved it. We will be back here for sure!
Access to the course is well signposted, parking is free and well stewarded.
The marketing of this course describes it as Britain's friendliest and this is absolutely true. Everyone, security staff, restaurant and bar personnel go out of their way to be helpful and pleasant.
The course itself is quite quirky, being a flattened figure of eight to cater for variable race lengths. The card was a good mixture of novices and established horses with a good cross section of stables represented.
There is a tote desk just outside the restaurant and the on course bookies are just down the stairs between the building and the ring. Hospitality included a good tipster putting up his recommendations well before racing started.
The menu was quite good, a mixed platter for starters, two options for mains and a choice of a triple pudding or cheeseboard.
The portion sizes were substantial, no danger of feeling hungry after this lot!
We both had the salmon. If we were to be a bit picky the salmon itself was excellent, as were the dauphinoise potatoes and vegetables, but the dill sauce was a bit of a disaster and unfortunately it was smothered over the salmon and indeed the whole plate. We think it was one of those unfortunate accidents where maybe someone had put sugar in instead of salt because the sauce tasted really really sweet! Maybe serve sauces separately in future?
There is also a bar in the restaurant and a larger one below.
An excellent evening out, we absolutely loved it. We will be back here for sure!
Written 13 September 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
sipi2018
Jedburgh, UK11 contributions
Mar 2019 • Friends
Great day out at Kelso races, particularly with the Pavillion hospitality package. Lovely 2 course lunch, glass of Prosecco.. Able to watch all the races without leaving the table with TV next to it and a courier betting service - fantastic option if you don’t want to go outside if it’s cold or wet. A special mention and thanks to staff member Laura, who helped us with our booking, responded very quickly and nothing was a problem to her.
Highly recommend if you like a day at the races.
Highly recommend if you like a day at the races.
Written 13 March 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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Claim your listingKELSO RACES: All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Photos)
Frequently Asked Questions about Kelso Races
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