Great Leighs is the UK’s first brand new racecourse in 80 years – with a new approach to the racing experience.

Dress Code for Great Leighs Racecourse:
There is a dress code at Great Leighs but most people adopt the “lounge suite” or “smart casual” rule for racing and for many (especially women) dressing up is part of the fun of the occasion. Inevitably, there is a fair bit of walking involved at any racecourse, so comfortable shoes are advisable. For more information please check our New Racegoer section.

How to get there:
Directions to Great Leighs Race Course
Great Leighs Racecourse occupies the site of the former Essex County Showground, between Chelmsford and Braintree. It is directly off the A131 bypass, north of Great Leighs village.

Via M25/M11
Exit M11 at Stansted Airport/J8 and follow new A120 dual carriageway in the direction of Colchester/Braintree. IGNORE signs to Chelmsford via A130.

Exit the A120 at Panners roundabout on outskirts of Braintree and follow A131 southbound in direction of Great Leighs/Chelmsford and brown tourist signs for Racecourse/Essex County Showground. At Great Notley roundabout turn right on A131 towards Great Leighs.

Raceday: Stay on dual carriageway. At Moulsham Hall Lane roundabout and turn back onto northbound carriageway and after 600m use main entrance directly off the dual carriageway unless otherwise indicated for particular visitor groups by AA yellow signs.

Non raceday/visitors to administration offices: Stay on dual carriageway. At Moulsham Hall Lane roundabout turn right into Moulsham Hall Lane and enter racecourse site after half a mile at Gate 11 (right).


Via M25/A12
Exit M25 junction 28, and follow A12 in direction of Chelmsford/Colchester. IGNORE all signs into Chelmsford between J14 and J18.

Exit A12 at J19/Boreham interchange. Follow signs in direction of A130/A131 Sudbury and thereafter brown tourist signs for Racecourse/Essex County Showground to Great Leighs village.

Raceday: At Moulsham Hall roundabout go straight ahead and after 600m use main entrance directly off the dual carriageway unless otherwise indicated for particular visitor groups by AA yellow signs.

Non raceday/visitors to administration offices: Stay on dual carriageway. At Moulsham Hall roundabout turn left into Moulsham Hall Lane and enter racecourse site after half a mile at Gate 11 (right).

Parking
Car parking is free. All spectator car parking, and public parking during non-racing events, is at the northern (Braintree) end of the site, directly accessed from the northbound carriageway of the A131. On larger race days there will be additional parking west and east of the racecourse. All parking will be AA-signed.

Spectators reach the grandstand and public areas via a pedestrian tunnel under the racecourse. You may not drive onto the “infield” – the middle of the racecourse.

Car parking for officials, jockeys, horseboxes etc is largely reached via Moulsham Hall Lane. Detailed information will be provided directly to the people involved.

Spectators are kindly asked to avoid these pre-allocated areas as any vehicles not bearing the correct parking pass will be redirected to the public car park.

SatNav by Postcode to Great Leighs Racecourse: CM3 1QP


Visit the Great Leighs Racecourse official site for fixtures and full details.