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Old Racecourse

38 ha

📷 Mick Garratt · Geograph · CC BY-SA 2.0

Plan your visit

BirdsWildlifeInsects
Public accessFree entryDogs welcome38 ha

Getting here

54.41446, -1.75047

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Visiting this summer

Seasonal nature notes and what to look for now

  • 🐦79+ species recorded in this area — summer evenings are best for activity; watch for Woodpigeon and Robin
  • ✦Historic character is a year-round quality here — summer brings its own atmosphere to the setting
  • 🐕Dogs welcome — bring water in summer; the site has enough space to find shade on hot days

Good to know

  • £Free to visit — no entry charge
  • 🐕Dogs welcome
Parking· Free

Best for

9 activities

Bird watching

Birds — Woodpigeon, Robin, Blackbird +76 more · last seen 2025; Deciduous woodland — woodpeckers, warblers and woodland birds

Free

Wildlife

Birds — Woodpigeon, Robin, Blackbird +76 more · last seen 2025; Deciduous woodland priority habitat

Free

Insect spotting

Insects — 7-spot Ladybird, Harlequin Ladybird, Early Bumblebee +47 more · last seen 2026; Upland hay meadow — wildflower-rich grassland invertebrates

Free

Heritage

Grade II* listed building: OLD GRAND STAND

Free

Dog walks

Dogs allowed with public access

Free

Foraging

Deciduous woodland — fungi, berries and wild garlic

Varies

Trails nearby

Within roughly 5 km
🚶

Walking

6 signed routes nearby · 28 public paths nearby

Signed route nearbyPublic paths
Castle WalkWalking route
Named routeLocal walking route
Round Howe and Billy Bank Woods Trail, HudswellWalking route2.2 km

Explore the steep banks of the River Swale & rough pasture behind Round Howe. Wild flowers, hills, historic woodland, & views of Richmond. Open space for playing, places for riverside picnics & prime spots for skimming stones. Muddy in wet weather.

Named routeLength 2.2 kmDuration 00:45-02:00Round tripLocal walking route
Hudswell Woods TrailWalking route2.4 km

An attractive walk beside the river and along the top of the wood. Steep route with 230 steps.

Named routeLength 2.4 kmDuration 00:45-02:00Round tripLocal walking route
Low and Billy Bank Woods trail, HudswellWalking route1.6 km

A moderate walk through the riverside woodland and alongside impressive valley-side crags.

Named routeLength 1.6 kmDuration 00:15-00:30Round tripLocal walking route
Coast to Coast Walk (Richmond to Robin Hood’s Bay)Walking route
Named routeRef C2CRegional walking route
Racecourse Roadpublic footpath · 305 m
Public pathpublic footpathLength 305 mPath type: service
Bolton Waypublic footpath · 63 m
Public pathpublic footpathLength 63 mPath type: residential
Magnolia Drivepublic footpath · 63 m
Public pathpublic footpathLength 63 mPath type: residential
🚴

Cycling

1 signed route nearby

Signed route nearby
National Byway (Yorkshire)Cycling route
Named routeRef NBRegional cycle route
🐴

Horse riding

5 public paths nearby

Public paths
Westfieldsbridleway · 1.2 km
Public pathbridlewayLength 1.2 kmPath type: track
Cutpurse Lanebridleway · 91 m
Public pathbridlewayLength 91 mPath type: residential

Wildlife to spot

Photos

The Old Racecourse

📷 Mick Garratt · Geograph · CC BY-SA 2.0

The Old Racecourse

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Nearby places

Useful places within 5 km

🌱The BattsUrban park1.7 km→🌱Friary GardensUrban park1.4 km→✦Richmond CastleHistoric site1.7 km→✦Richmond Castle: eleventh to fourteenth century enclosure castleHistoric site1.7 km→🌱Cockpit GardenUrban park1.7 km→✦Franciscan friaryHistoric site1.3 km→