Chester Racecourse Reviews Summary

Facilities & Management

Pros:

• "The course facilities have improved significantly and amongst one of best (I've been to over 25 courses)."
• "Parking is easy and only £8 on the racecourse."
• "Fantastic overnight stopover for motorhomes, close to city centre."
• "Happy with how they put out so many portable toilets. Never had to wait which is good."
• "The stands, restaurants, bars and other facilities are of high standard and the general admission areas are maintained very well."
• "The Grounds were pristine, well maintained and beautiful."
• "The entry process was really easy to follow and the staff were very helpful and friendly at the gate and ticket checking areas."

Cons:

• "The management of the concert was a bit lapse."
• "Only negative was the queueing or no queueing system at the bar."
• "The only places to shade was in the 2 stands that were absolutely over crammed."
• "Their was not enough food for the amount of guests, and actually ran out of butter!"
• "There were very few places to actually get in the shade or sit down."
• "Facilities in this enclosure are so poor."
• "The amount of people allowed in the room made it very congested and uncomfortable."

Staff & Service

Pros:

• "All people involved were very polite and well organised."
• "The staff are the nicest and most thoughtful around."
• "Staff parking cars and directing people were friendly and efficient."
• "Staff directing us to the car park, the two ladies who tried to help us out with our dilemma, the stewards, bar staff, betting staff, food outlets were polite and professional."
• "Racecourse staff really helpful."
• "The staff were excellent looking after our every need."
• "All staff were (whether on entry or bar etc) nice and friendly."

Cons:

• "Their staff are completely rude."
• "Spoke to manager who was really not bothered at all. No management skills and no apology."
• "the lady at box office was not helpful at all."
• "The service behind the bar and to put a bet on Disgraceful."
• "Many of the staff were very young and inexperienced, just not attentive enough for the package we had."
• "Some bar staff rude and not helpful."
• "I found the attitude of staff to be unhelpful and uncaring."

Food & Drink

Pros:

• "Lots of food options available in the middle of the course and lots of bars to get a reasonably priced drink for the races."
• "So happy I did as I chose the lemon pannacota. It was utterly gorgeous and looked like art on the plate."
• "Good food and loads of ice cold beer served by excellent staff."
• "Food was great waiters couldn't fault them recommend it."
• "Wonderful array of food and drink available."
• "We dined at the Pavilion and enjoyed a fantastic lunch with good wine and service."
• "Magic place to dine and entertain, excellent food and service in a perfect setting."

Cons:

• "Drinks are rather pricey too, but it’s what is expected from events as such."
• "Poor beer choice; expensive in plastic cups.. very poor food choice."
• "Food was a £10 burger or fish with chips."
• "The bars ran out of a large variety of spirits, wine and ales."
• "However the food quality was terrible. I had bought a hot dog for £7.50 and it was awful!"
• "Drinks were quite expensive."
• "Everything in the place extremely high priced."

Accessibility & Location

Pros:

• "This is a lovely race course nestled within the walls of the old city. There is parking a short walk away."
• "Situated within 10 to 16 minutes walk from river side and quite sizeable course."
• "The Racecourse was established in 1539 and is the oldest and smallest in the world. Its correct name is The Roodee. Its a beautiful course outside the old city walls."
• "It’s a privilege to have access to such a huge public open space, especially during summer months."
• "When the races aren't on you can walk around the outside of the track, which is a really pleasant walk with the dogs."
• "Another great thing about this Racecourse is location, it's right in Chester City and easy to access after the race events for bars and restaurants and shopping."
• "Fabulous course and quite unique with easy access from the City center."

Cons:

• "Chester is by far the worst for gaining access to."
• "because of the rain, we couldn't park at the race course."
• "The mud at the beginning of the race course was awful."
• "Also you have to pay for parking on course which I have never come across anywhere else except Aintree on grand national meeting."
• "Needs some seating some staff on entrance quite rude when checking you and your bag for drink."
• "I am in a mobility scooter and the lift that should have taken me up to the Long Room was out of order."
• "Came for the family fun day. Bit of a mess when trying to get in as the machine wasn't scanning people's tickets."

Experience & Atmosphere

Pros:

• "Best day out all year!! Love Chester Race Course."
• "Fantastic time at the races, there are two dates left at the race corse for this season 31st September and 14th October last one, so everyone come and enjoy the racing and entertainment at chester it's brilliant."
• "You can get close to the action and see the horses in the ring before each race."
• "Chester Racecourse is remarkably modern for the oldest Racecourse in the U.K."
• "It gives off an interesting vibe which combined with the picturesque red sunset makes up for a peculiarly stunning scene..."
• "The atmosphere is brilliant."
• "Superb and exciting atmosphere at Chester! I’m sure You’ll love a day out here at Chester Races."

Cons:

• "Horrible aggressive atmosphere avoid like the plague."
• "Cold wet miserable race day."
• "Far too many people crammed into a very small enclosure."
• "It is not a place to watch racing. It is an unpleasant, unwelcoming and greedy venue."
• "The only downside to the race days is the general carnage seen in Chester following events."
• "All in all an awful day out."
• "The weather throughout the day was abysmal, very heavy rains showers."

Pricing & Value

Pros:

• "Bought long room tickets at reasonable price as it was family day and only 2 of us."
• "Left early and was offered county stand ticket for £10!"
• "Good price and close to the City."
• "A good Day out, staff are friendly and the drinks are not terribly priced given the location."
• "Christmas special offer free parking for shoppers til Christmas, a generous and most welcome boost for local people and businesses alike."
• "Went home over £250 richer, so a good day was had by all."
• "Chester race course is a wonderful place to visit, the facilities and staff are brilliant."

Cons:

• "Paid £18 nowhere to sit down."
• "Paid extra and told to adhere to the dress code. Numerous people in the same enclosure not wearing the desired attire."
• "The racecourse itself is nice but there are too many enclosures at different prices."
• "Absolute rip off course - overpriced, absolutely rammed, nowhere to sit."
• "For a £20 entrance fee it was terrible."
• "We paid £60 plus for the inconvenience and rudeness."
• "The one big thing that spoiled the day was the amount of queuing I did. (winning post enclosure) if I'm pay £130 a ticket I would expect to be served within 5 minutes NOT 50mins."