Newcastle Racecourse: Fixtures, the Northumberland Plate and Ladies Day

Newcastle Racecourse sits at High Gosforth Park, just north of the city, and it is one of the North East's great days out as well as a serious sporting venue. It races through the year on the flat, on the all-weather surface and over jumps, and it hosts two of the biggest set-piece occasions in the regional calendar: the Northumberland Plate Festival in June and Ladies Day in July. Whether you are a seasoned racegoer or heading trackside for the first time, here is how the venue works and what to expect.

What the racecourse is

The course occupies a large parkland site at High Gosforth Park (postcode NE3 5HP), a mile or so up from the main built-up part of the city. It is one of only a handful of tracks in Britain that stages flat, all-weather and jump racing, so there is something on across most of the year rather than a short seasonal run of meetings. The all-weather surface in particular means fixtures keep going through the winter, when many turf tracks are quiet. Alongside the racing, the site includes an on-site golf facility with a course and driving range, which we cover in our guide to golf and driving ranges in Newcastle.

The Northumberland Plate Festival

The Northumberland Plate Festival is the highlight of the racing year here, a three-day flat meeting held in late June. In 2026 it runs from Thursday 25 to Saturday 27 June. The Thursday is Seaton Delaval Trophy Day, an afternoon of competitive flat racing that opens the festival. Friday is Gosforth Park Cup Night, an evening fixture with a lively after-racing feel: gates open around 3:10pm and the first race is roughly 5:10pm, with music to round off the night.

The Saturday is the big one. Northumberland Plate Day is built around the Northumberland Plate itself, a two-mile handicap that is one of the richest staying handicaps of its kind, long nicknamed the Pitmen's Derby in a nod to the region's mining heritage. It draws big fields and big crowds, and it has the atmosphere of a proper regional occasion rather than just a race meeting.

Best for: If you want the full festival feel without the Saturday crush, the Friday evening card is a good shout: an easy after-work fixture with a party atmosphere and lighter crowds than Plate Saturday.

Ladies Day

Ladies Day is the other flagship fixture, held a few weeks after the Plate Festival. In 2026 it falls on Saturday 25 July, with racing running through the afternoon into the early evening. It pairs a full card of flat racing with a strong social occasion: dressing up is very much part of the day, there are style awards with prizes for the best-dressed, and live entertainment keeps things going after the last race. It is one of the busiest days of the year at the course, so booking ahead is sensible.

What a raceday is like

A typical raceday runs across an afternoon or evening, with races roughly every half hour and plenty of time in between to place a bet, get a drink and find a spot by the rail. You do not need to know anything about racing to enjoy it: the paddock, where the horses parade before each race, is one of the best places to soak up the atmosphere, and small stakes on the Tote or with the on-course bookmakers are part of the fun. There are bars and food outlets around the enclosures, and the bigger fixtures add fairground rides, live music and hospitality options.

Different enclosures come at different prices, from general admission through to premium and hospitality packages with better views and included extras. For a first visit, general admission is usually plenty.

Tickets and dress

Tickets vary by fixture and by enclosure, and the course frequently runs advance-booking discounts, so buying ahead of the day is almost always cheaper than paying on the gate. At the time of writing the flagship days such as the Plate Festival and Ladies Day carry the highest prices, while midweek and winter all-weather fixtures are considerably cheaper, and admission is often free or nominal for children. Because prices and offers change year to year, check the official racecourse site for current tickets before you book.

There is no strict dress code for everyday fixtures, where smart-casual is fine. The big summer days are different: many racegoers dress up for Ladies Day and Plate Saturday, and that is half the point of the occasion. There is no rule that forces it, but you will feel more in the swing of things in something smarter. Grass and gravel underfoot mean sensible footwear is worth a thought whatever the fixture.

Getting there and back

The course is north of the city and easiest to reach by road: from the A1, A19 and the main approaches, follow the brown tourist signs bearing a horse and rider. There is parking on site. If you would rather not drive, buses 43 and 44 run from Haymarket in the city centre every 10 to 15 minutes to a stop near the Racecourse Road entrance.

The nearest Metro stations are Regent Centre and Four Lane Ends, both around two miles from the course, so you will need a short bus or taxi hop to finish the journey. On feature days such as Plate Saturday and Ladies Day the course usually runs a shuttle bus from those Metro stations, with timings announced beforehand, and lays on extra buses back into the city afterwards. A taxi from Central Station is in the region of £15 to £20. On the busiest days, plan your return before you arrive, as taxis and buses get stretched when a big crowd leaves at once.

Spotted something on this guide that needs updating, or know a tip for a day at the races we have missed? Let us know and we will keep it current.