If you are planning a Hen Party for one of your nearest and dearest in 2021, then look no further. Here are our top picks for the best horse racing festivals in the UK which are the perfect fit for a staycation with your girls to celebrate the approaching wedding day.
York Ebor
York racecourse is one of the most popular in the country for many reasons apart from the excellent racing action throughout the flat season. The main event of course, and one that many travel from all over the country for, is the Ebor Festival. Like many other fantastic racing festivals held in the UK, the Ebor Festival takes place over four days in August every year on the Knavesmire and was established in 1843 with the first running of the Ebor Handicap.
The racecourse is located just outside York which is a beautiful city in North Yorkshire. It may seem like a long way to travel however, a train from London only takes 2 hours. There are plenty of things to do and places to see during a two nights stay including a number of bars, clubs, and restaurants to help continue the frolics into the evening after a fantastic day at the races.
There are four days of racing in total; Juddmonte International Day, Ladies Day, Nunthorpe Stakes and the Ebor Handicap Day. Of course, each day has a lot to offer but nothing beats Ladies Day on the Thursday. This is the perfect occasion to get dressed up in all of your finery and soak up the summer sun with your closest girlfriends. What better combination is there than watching top class flat racing sipping on a glass of crisp champagne whilst admiring an array of eye-catching fashion. Better yet, there are a number of prizes to be won for the best dressed, so there is plenty of time now to get ahead and start planning your knock out outfit for the Ebor 2021.
We have a selection of hotels to choose from including spa and leisure facilities to ensure a relaxing night sleep after your fun in the sun. Make this the perfect hen party trip away come 2021 and don’t miss your chance to shine on Ladies Day - Thursday 19th August.
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Grand National
There aren’t many people who do not know about the Grand National but, there are many who have never had the chance to experience this phenomenon which makes it into our Top 3 Hen Party Racing Breaks for all the right reasons. This is one of the best jumps racing meetings of the year and one which puts the cherry on top for the National Hunt season.
The Grand National takes place every April at Aintree racecourse, on the outskirts of the incredible city of Liverpool which is one of the top destinations for Hen and Stag parties alone however, why not tie in watching the Nation’s favourite race with a weekend of celebrations? Crowds come from all over but the local Liverpudlians know how to make the most of this annual spectacle. The effort that goes into hair, makeup and outfits is second to none and although it may not be everyone’s taste, the fashion and glamour is something to admire.
The festival consists of three days of top quality racing from Thursday 8th; Liverpool’s Day, Friday 9th; Ladies Day, and Saturday 10th, Grand National Day. Although the main race takes place on Saturday, there is no better day for a Hen party to attend than Ladies Day. This is a day to celebrate all of the beautiful women in their finest dresses and hats, and once again, one lucky lady will be picked as best dressed for which they could walk home with a brand new Range Rover!
Enjoy a two night stay in Liverpool City Centre with breakfast each morning and tickets to your chosen day of the Grand National all from just £129pp. The racecourse is very easy to get to via Merseyrail which takes you to Aintree station, at the front of the racecourse entrance. Liverpool is bursting with some of the best bars, clubs and restaurants in the country so there is plenty to get stuck into after a day at the races.
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Royal Ascot
The pinnacle of the flat racing season and a meeting that is famous around the globe for its pageantry, fashion, class and tradition. From formal dress codes to the classic strawberries and cream combination, there is nothing more British than this week in June. For many, attending Royal Ascot week is the highlight of the social calendar. The royal procession is what makes this event all the more special as Her Majesty the Queen attends every day, arriving in a horse drawn carriage with other royal family members and acquaintances. Royal Ascot is a match between some of the best flat horses in the world and is a real test for which will succeed later in the season.
The Royal meeting takes place from 15th - 19th June 2021 which is the perfect time of year to enjoy a day in the British summer sun with your girls with a few bottles of bubbly or a jug of Pimms. Each enclosure offers something unique with a number of bars and food outlets as well as incredible views over the track so take your pick from the Village, Windsor and Queen Anne enclosure. Racing Breaks offer a number of hotels nearby with return transfers to and from the track meaning that all you have to worry about is putting a bet on what colour hat the queen will be wearing. Make your Hen feel extra special by booking one of our hotels with spa facilities and enjoying a spa treatment to relax and unwind after a full day of fun and frolics.
Packages start from £159 pp and can be booked with just a £25 deposit per person.
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