AD – We are working with Great British Racing who arranged for us to attend the family day at Fontwell to write this blog post Review Fontwell Family Race Day. I am being compensated for my time.
Review Fontwell Family Race Day : Before we had the children Hubby and I use to go to the racing frequently. However, since having the boys we have only gone a handful of times. Predominately on our own. I didn’t think that the boys would enjoy themselves or that there would be much for them to do. Which would consequently mean that we wouldn’t enjoy ourselves either. However, turns out that I was wrong. Great British Racing invited us to attend the Family day they had at Fontwell Race Course last weekend and I was so surprised by just how much there was to do there for the kids.
Review Fontwell Family Race Day
Monkey was very excited by the prospect of a day at the races and he has been looking forward to it since he had his first riding lesson. The gates opened at 12pm with free parking on site. We arrived around 12.15 and parked right out the front. It is also possible to park much closer to the actual race track. As we noticed a lot of families had done just this. Pithing up gazebos to have their picnics under. We picked up our tickets from the entrance before heading in and meeting a huge Tricietops.
It really wasn’t something that I thought I would see at a racecourse! Unsurprisingly he was a huge hit as were the baby dinosaurs being carried around for the kids to pet. Our tickets included a meal, drink and free race card. When we picked the racecards up I realised it wasn’t any fun day. It was a Dino Discovery Family Day. The children also had the opportunity to pose inside a giant dinosaur egg. Plus there was free face painting put on right next door to the dinosaur enclosure. I am not sure the last time I went anywhere, where there was free face painting!
Vintage Fairground Rides & Food
Once we had picked up our race card and had a look at all the horses that were running we headed across the course to the vintage fairground rides. There were also lots of stalls including a pick and mix one along with slushies. My favourite ride by far was the carousel. Although Kipper’s was the swings. After going on all the rides we headed back over to the other side of the course and our enclosure for something to eat. There was a cafe inside the enclosure which served a choice of meals including fish and chips, chicken burgers and steak pies.
Fontwell Race Day
Once fed we headed out to the winning post to watch the first race. Both boys loved watching the horses come thundering down the track. From the enclosure you got a great view, they could get up really close to the course. Next to the finishing post there was also a great big screen so we could see exactly what was going on at all points of the race. This is important as Fontwell did have some races which were figures of eight. I think all of them had fences too which added to the excitement and having the screen meant you can watch them jump easily.
The Parade Ring
During our day we also spent some time at the parade ring. To see both the winners and have a look at the horses before they went out on the track. It was nice that they could get up nice and close. They got quite excited by the closeness of the horses and the presentation of certificates to the winners. It was good for them to see how carefully the horses have looked after. I could tell how engaged they were because of all the questions that were being asked.
Around the course, there was plenty of places to sit, places to get food and drink and even an ice cream van. Keeping in with the dino theme we also found some sandpits with dino bones hidden for children to find. It was lovely to see just how many other activities other than the racing that had been put on. The boys had a great time and so did we so I am sure this will not be our last family race day.
Great British Racing Under 18s Race Free
As part of Great British Racing’s ‘Under 18s Race Free’ initiative, it is one of 60 racecourses throughout Great Britain where under 18s are admitted free of charge to the vast majority of fixtures throughout the year, when accompanied by a paying adult. Over the summer holidays, there were more than 200 fixtures up and down the country, including 50 special family days with additional activities put on for families and young people. To find out more about ‘Under 18s Race Free’ and find a family race day near you go to www.under18sracefree.com. There are still several family days running throughout September.
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Review Fontwell Family Day
31 Responses
Lovely photos. Our children have been to the races with us and they really loved it. There seems to be so much going on to make sure they are entertained.
Looks like you had a lovely day out. I bet he absolutely loved that view from the Parade ring.
Ah this looks like such a fun day! I like the dinosaur bit. I’ve not considered the Races for the kids before. Great idea. x
It sounds like everybody had a great. It’s so great that they put so much thought into activities for the little ones!
Well, enjoy everything and treasure the memories. You will be sharing this with them for quite a time. Let me know if they liked it too. Adorable kids you guys have.
I wouldn’t have thought there would be much to do for the kids at the races but I see how wrong I was.
These days look like so much fun. I had no idea they did them before.
What an interesting initiative and a lovely day out for children.
We’ve never been to the races but it sounds like a great day out. The vintage fairground rides sound fun too!
Something I ‘ve never thought to do with our grandson he’d probably love it there looks like plenty to amuse kids. Love the photo’s
Your child most certainly enjoyed your family day. I enjoyed the photos and I’m happy for you that your child is health and so cute!
Thank you for sharing this experience, I would have never guessed that kids would like the races, but this is truly a wakeup call to a brand new adventure! Great article!
The boys will totally love this place too
Wow, this sounds like it was such a fun and action-packed day! I’m glad you all had a great time here.
Sounds like a great place to visit with the kids. I’m sure they would enjoy this place with plenty of exciting areas to explore. You guys look like you had tons of amazing fun during your visit.
What an experience to have! Everybody celebrated in their favorite play pen! Kids loved the sand and excavation of bones!
Sounds like a fun day out! Especially with all the extra things around it.
Beautiful pictures, looks like everyone had a great time. It is great that they made the the race a family affair.
This looks like a great day of adventure. Of course boys will gravitate to anything dinosaurs but the races was an unique adventure to have!
I never been to a horse racing event because they weren’t near where I grew up. But, I am glad the stadium made it more family friendly with all those attractions and a theme!
Such a wonderful place to visit with the kids. I really love this. My kid also would have loved the race. Bet you had a lovely time.
Sounds like a really fun day out.
Love the way you planned things.
Aww how fun! I would love to take the kids to visit—and those rides look like so much fun!
Looks like a fun day out for boys. Me and my family would love to visit this place
So glad to see you guys had a lot of fun..! Your blogs brings such a good vibes..!
Looks like you guys and fun day together. It looks like the kids are really enjoying themselves x
It must have been so fun to spend your time together as a family at the race course , watching the horses and enjoying the swings . I would love to attend a horse racing competition, I think I should visit a racecourse over here too!
That’s a day very well spent… .. Especially bcoz it is spent amidst the dinosaurs, for the kids it’s always fun. And def the horse race had it all.
Oh wow what a fun day out for the whole family and those Dinosaurs are super cool, my youngest would love that
Laura x
This looks like a great place to take your kids for the day! <3
Dinosaurs are always a winner with the kids