Ripon Races
Overview
Yorkshire's Garden Racecourse - seasonal horse racing April to September.
Contact details
The Racecourse Boroughbridge Road Ripon North Yorkshire Yorkshire and the Humber HG41UG United Kingdom
Access Card notes
Our Paddock and Club Enclosures are flat and completely accessible - we also offer the hire of a wheelchair and/or mobility scooter.
This provider accepts the Access Card as supporting documentation for accessible facilities and tickets.
The information in this listing is submitted by the provider.
A free registration is available at this venue as an alternative to an Access Card. Please use the link below to begin your application. Please note, if you already have an Access Card, you don't need to apply again. Simply provide your name and Access Card ID number to the venue. Click here to start your registration
Access guidance
- We have an accessible entrance at the Paddock turnstiles for those with mobility issues and people who may have difficulty standing and queuing - this is clearly signposted on the entrance building. Anyone with any mobility, standing or queuing needs can indicate this to a steward who will show them where the accessible entrance is. The same can be done for the other enclosures, if the person makes themselves known they will be taken to the front of the queue to get them through in a speedy fashion.
- We have a number of ground floor accessible toilets, as well as ambulant toilets in the all Enclosures. We have outdoor wheelchair viewing platforms in the Paddock and Club enclosures and a dedicated accessible viewing area at the Parade Ring. There is a lift to enable Club racegoers to visit the Club bar and dining room as well as the covered wheelchair viewing platform in the Club section of our grandstand. Some of the ground is tarmac/hard standing, but a large portion is grass underfoot - this may be a limitation for wheelchairs/larger buggies with small wheels on wetter days. Access to the race track at race level and to the book keepers is all on the flat.
- The racecourse is approximately 250 metres long and approximately 150 metres wide. Although it is two sided, it is unlikely that those buying Paddock and Club tickets will need/want to venture across the Course Enclosure and vice versa. We have a wheelchair and a mobility scooter available to hire on race days. We have a golf cart that can pick people up from their car in the car park and bring them to the front entrance if they are unable to walk the distance. There are many benches and chairs placed throughout the course both inside and outside. We also have a number of leaning posts around the Parade ring so that people can steady themselves when moving around the outside of the Parade Ring.
- Should someone require the toilet urgently, if they or their assistant/companion makes the situation known to a steward they will direct them to the nearest toilet and will ensure that they are able to move to the front of the queue.
- A large percentage of the course is grass, so assistance dogs are able to use this where necessary. In addition, the car parking area is all grassed, so assistance dogs may easily be toileted before and after entry to the racecourse. Should an assistance dog need to toilet in the car park area during the race day, a pass out can be obtained. We do not have water bowls available (I think we have only ever had one dog so far!) but free water is available at all the bars if owners bring their own bowl. .
- Essential companions/carers receive free entry, ideally they would book in advance, but they can also arrive and pay on the gate with the appropriate paperwork (with a Nimbus card hopefully!)
- Our racecourse map is available in the racecard, but a larger version is also printed on two maps at either end of the racecourse. All stewards are aware of all aspects of the racecourse and will support anyone having difficulty to either direct them or guide them to the area they wish to access. The Raceday Ready app provides accessible options to view course information, racing etc on the day.
- We have all information relayed on the racecourse sound system throughout the days and televisions and big screens available that show the start times of each race if they are unable to hear them. Racecards are also available with all raceday information so that those who have difficulty hearing the racecourse sound system can still see what is happening, when.
- We have an accessibility officer (Jennie Eyres) who is the first port of call for all accessibility questions before the visit, but she can also be found on most race days if needed, by asking a member of staff to locate her. I will be getting some photos of our services!