Bath Racecourse sits above the city on Lansdown, and on race days a shuttle bus runs from the city centre (Broad Quay and Avon Street, both near Bath Spa station) for a £5 return, paid by contactless or cash on the driver. Regular First Bus tickets, BathRider or AvonRider passes, and concessionary bus passes aren't valid on this shuttle, so budget for the fare separately.
Getting to Bath Racecourse
The racecourse is on Lansdown, above the city, and isn't within easy walking distance of the centre. On race days, a dedicated shuttle bus run by First Bus picks up from Broad Quay and Avon Street bus stops, both near Bath Spa station, and drops off at the same stops on the way back. It costs £5 return, paid to the driver by contactless (including tap on, tap off) or cash; note that standard First Bus tickets, BathRider, AvonRider passes and concessionary travel passes are not accepted on this specific service. Children aged 15 and under travel free with a fare-paying adult.
Driving and parking
If you're driving, the racecourse has on-site parking, though it's worth allowing extra time on busy race days for both the drive up Lansdown and getting parked. Given the road closures and traffic that can build up around race days, the shuttle bus is often the less stressful option if you're coming from central Bath; see our Bath parking guide for more on driving in and around the city generally.
What to expect on a race day
Bath Racecourse runs jump and flat racing through the year, with a mix of general admission and hospitality options depending on the meeting. Being high up on Lansdown, it also has views back over the city, which is part of the appeal even if you're not particularly interested in the racing itself. Check the specific race day's schedule and any dress code before you go, since these can vary by meeting.
Bath Racecourse at a glance
| What | Details |
|---|---|
| Location | Lansdown, above Bath city centre |
| Shuttle bus pickup | Broad Quay and Avon Street, near Bath Spa station |
| Shuttle bus cost | £5 return, contactless or cash |
| Valid tickets | Contactless/cash on the day only; standard bus passes not accepted |
| Kids | Free aged 15 and under with a paying adult |
| Parking | On-site, allow extra time on race days |
Planning your visit
Because the racecourse is genuinely out of town, decide on your transport before race day rather than on arrival, especially if you're relying on the shuttle bus, which runs to a schedule around the racing rather than continuously. If you want to make a full day of it in Bath either side of the racing, our things to do in Bath guide and what's on in Bath guide both cover other things to pair it with.
Why it's worth the trip up the hill
Even setting the racing aside, Lansdown's elevation gives Bath Racecourse one of the better outlooks over the city and surrounding countryside of any venue nearby. Combined with the shuttle bus taking the parking stress out of the day, it's a reasonably low-effort outing to add onto a longer weekend in Bath, especially if you time it around a meeting that also has family enclosures or entertainment beyond the racing itself.