The Summer holidays means six weeks of organising activities to keep them entertained so I can work. I made the mistake one year of booking them into clubs every single day and by the end of it, they were nearly too tired to go back to school!
What can I do with the children over Summer, in Yorkshire? Practice what you preach Charlotte, take them racing! Accompanied under 18’s are free at all race meetings, so that’s the first tick in the box.
The second plus about racing in general, is that it’s an outdoor sport. Now we all know that the British weather sometimes gets confused between what we expect in Summer and what it actually delivers, but when it gets it right, there is no better place to be than on a racecourse. There is space. Space to move, play and do things together. An opportunity to be in the elements (whatever they may be) away from screens and enjoying natural surroundings.
Thirdly, it’s pretty much an all-day event – or as much of the day as you want it to be. On the whole gates open late morning and the last race can be around 5pm, so stay as long as you like. Once the racing starts they’re run at 30 – 35 minute intervals, so exciting action to grab your attention, with some downtime in between.
Racing is a spectacle and provides constant learning opportunities and talking points in an informal environment. There are so many conversation starters, like the colours and shapes on the jockeys’ silks. There’s the basic circles, stars and diamonds, but would your youngsters know what epaulets and chevrons are? They’re not unique to racing, epaulets can be found on uniforms and I’ve no doubt that all children will walk past chevrons on their way to school in the spaces reserved for the buses, but do they know that’s what they’re called?
Observe the difference in the horses, some have plaited manes and tails, some do not. Some have patterns on their bottoms, some are big, while others are small, some are longer while the sprinters tend to be more compact. Watch them walk and how they swing their legs. How shiny are their coats? And look at their markings. The positive feelings that come from being near horses cannot be underestimated.
Add to all that the extra entertainment for family days and you won’t know where to start! Most racecourses have a centre enclosure which is usually the cheapest and gives a good view of the racing with some food outlets, bars and betting facilities for the over 18’s. This tends to be where the extra entertainment is located. It is also the area where you can take your own food and drink, so pack a picnic with everyone’s favourites and your set for the day, however please keep alcohol to a minimum and avoid glass bottles.
The middle enclosure tends to be referred to as the Grandstand & Paddock. It is a bit more money but gives access to the Pre-Parade Ring, where the horses are saddled and the Parade Ring where the horses walk round before the jockeys get on. You can get closer to the action with good views of the winning line and will be able to cross into the Course Enclosure to get to the activities there. It’s nearly always cheaper to book in advance.
The first three family days of the Summer holidays are also part of the Go Racing In Yorkshire Summer Festival, sponsored by Sky Bet, which means even more fun! Festival Freddie will be walking the enclosures with his bucket of sweets and is always up for high five, fist bump or a picture.
Then it’s on to Thirsk for their afternoon meeting on Friday 26th July, where it’s Superhero Family Day! There will be free children’s entertainment with special visits from your favourite superheroes and Barbie. They also have bouncy castles, face painting and balloon modelling. Thirsk doesn’t have a centre enclosure, but they do offer a family ticket for the Grandstand, Paddock & Picnic enclosure which is £25 for two adults plus children when booked in advance or £30 at the gate.
There’s 10 further family days in August! Starting at Ripon on Monday 5th August. The free activities include a bouncy castle, face painting, glitter tattoos, balloon modelling, fire juggling and juggling classes. Under 18’s are free and advance adult Course Admission is £7. Cars to the course are £20 and includes up to four adults. Advance adult Paddock admission is £17.50.
On Friday 9th August, the Circus family theme moves to Thirsk and the National Festival Circus will be performing in the big top and in addition there will be bouncy castles, inflatables, balloon modelling, face painting and traditional fairground stalls. A family ticket for the Grandstand, Paddock & Picnic enclosure is £25 for two adults plus children when booked in advance or £30 at the gate and the first race is 2.10pm.
Then it’s back to Ripon on bank holiday Monday, 26th August. It’s their final family day of the season, plus their best race of the season, the EBF Ripon Champion Two-Year-Old Trophy. Free activities for the children in the Course Enclosure include balloon modelling, face painting and glitter, barrel train ride, kub karts, bouncy castle and slide, Punch ‘n’ Judy, Professor Dan the Magic Man and fire juggling! Advance adult Course admission is £7 or £20 for a car with up to four adults and advance Paddock admission is £17.50. Gates open at 11.30am with the first race at 2pm.
Thirsk’s All Creatures Great and Smally Family Day brings the summer holiday racedays to an end. Celebrating the veterinary herniate of the town and its links to James Herriot, there will be a visit from a mini petting farm, plus bouncy castles, inflatables, balloon modelling, face painting and traditional fairground stalls. All the activities are FREE, as are accompanied under 18s. Grandstand, Paddock and Picnic tickets are £15 each or a Family ticket is £25 when booked in advance.
York racecourse combine with Malton Stables Open Day, on Sunday 8th September, with a combined ticket, giving visitors the opportunity to have a look around some of the yards in Malton before heading over to York to see the stars on course. Popular Australian character Bluey will be on show and the entertainment marquee in the Clocktower Enclosure will have bouncy castles, giant inflatables and Joe’s Animal Encounters. The day will start with pony racing so get there in good time to watch the jockeys of the future. York offer a combined Clocktower and Grandstand and Paddock ticket for this meeting at a cost of £12 if booked in advance or £15 on the day.
For fun, activities and value, nothing beats a Family Fun Day at the races, so make sure you put at least one in your calendar and I’ll probably see you there!
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