Newton Abbot Racecourse has something eggstra special in store for families this Easter
Searching for something exciting to do with your children this Easter? Then be sure to head to Newton Abbot Racecourse for an action-packed day of fun, entertainment and great give-aways. The annual Easter Special on Saturday April 15 is a chance to get outdoors in the stunning South Devon countryside and enjoy the thrills of a day at the races. And whether they’re knee-high to a thoroughbred or shoulder-height to a stallion, this unforgettable family fixture will be a winner with children of all ages. For the first 200 children through the gate on Easter Saturday, the racecourse will once again be handing out free Easter eggs, so get there early. Entry is free for 16s and under, as well as students with valid ID, as it will be at every fixture in 2017, making a great day out far more economical and appealing for families. Then, once inside the racecourse, children will be treated to an Easter eggstravaganza packed with racing, family activities and fun in the racecourse’s new dedicated children’s play area.
Patrick Masterson, Managing Director at Newton Abbot Racecourse, said: “The Easter Special is always a fun day out for families and a chance for children to experience the excitement of a day at the races, possibly for the first time. “The racecourse welcomes crowds of people through the gates for this event and we are expecting a great turnout this year. Where else can you experience such excitement and fun in a beautiful setting? “We want racing to be accessible to everyone and are continuing our free entry for children and students to give them the opportunity to come along and see for themselves what a brilliant day out horse racing offers. We hope they will keep coming back, as it is these children and teenagers who will be spectators, owners, jockeys and trainers in years to come.”
The Easter fixture will be the first of some great family events, including a Family Day planned for at the start of the summer holidays on July 23.
Another highlight will be the family-friendly Sounds of the Summer music festival on July 16, when the chart-topping line-up will include reggae royalty UB40, pop band All Saints, FYC (Fine Young Cannibals) and China Crisis. These are part of a thrilling 18-fixture programme that returned to Newton Abbot on April 4, after a winter break which saw tens of thousands of pounds being invested in ongoing upgrades to the course.
The work involved further enhancements to the new children’s play area which opened at Newton Abbot Racecourse last year. Packed with play equipment including a nest swing, traditional swings, a climbing fort, slide and sprung animals, a new enclosure has been built to optimise safety and peace of mind for mum and dads.
Other changes include improvements to the viewing platforms in the Parade Ring and new rubberised walkways for the horses. The entrance to the popular Silks lounge has been enlarged and a new outdoor drinking area created, looking out across the course and the picturesque countryside setting. New toilets have been developed and baby changing units added to the gents’ facilities, and in the racecourse restaurants new menus are being introduced alongside new private hospitality packages featuring fresh local produce, from only £50 plus VAT per person.
Following on from repairs to the Grandstand roof, which resulted in flooding in February, please note that the betting halls will not be opened for the Easter fixture. The programme of repairs has been delayed by two weeks and the racecourse apologises for any inconvenience, however the disruption was totally outside of their control. All facilities such as tote betting, toilets and bars will be available around the course enclosure on Easter Saturday.
The first race on Easter Saturday starts at 2.20pm and gates open at 12.20pm. For online ticket bookings visit www.newtonabbotracing.com or call 01626 353235.
