Known locally as Gosforth Park, Newcastle provides a high standard of action under both codes. The Flat course with its uphill rise of four furlongs makes this one of the stiffest tracks in the country and the highlight of the season is undoubtedly the Northumberland Plate in June – a fiercely battled staying handicap. Over the jumps, the Fighting Fifth Hurdle which takes place at the end of November regularly attracts a number of the leading hurdlers in the country.

Known as the headquarters of British racing, Newmarket’s Rowley Mile course features a clutch of top quality events such as the 1000 and 2000 Guineas in early May and Champions Day in October. One of the fairest tracks in the world, racing at the Rowley Mile is divided into two seasons, spring and autumn, and only on rare occasions does the ground ride on the soft side. Racing switches from the Rowley Mile to the popular July Course during the summer months. The highlight of the season is the Darley July Cup, Europe’s leading six furlongs sprint, which takes place on the final day of the three-day July Meeting. The six evening meetings are amongst the most popular fixtures staged anywhere in the country.

One of the leading courses on the summer jumping circuit, Newton Abbot is England’s most westerly racecourse. With continual racing from the end of May through to September, the course has become a firm favourite with National Hunt enthusiasts.

A left-handed circuit, galloping in nature, Nottingham often attracts plenty of interest from the leading stables. A popular venue throughout the summer months, Nottingham plays host to several flat meetings each season and often plays host to some quality maiden races where some of the country’s top establishments will send their young horses to strut their stuff. With two long straights, the course gives the big, long-striding types every opportunity to use their size and scope to best effect.

Situated on the banks of the River Tay, Perth is Britain’s most northerly racecourse. Front runners have a particularly good record as the track is virtually flat and the tight bends play to their strengths. Fixtures are arranged to suit the tourist industry taking place between April and September with the highlight being the Perth Festival in late April.

A very sharp, undulating, left-handed track of one mile, one furlong in circumference, Plumpton provides a real test for both horses and riders. Based on a clay surface, the ground can become particularly testing during the winter months where its uphill finish often plays an important role in the outcome of races. Despite its sharp nature, the ability to see out a trip and battle is a must when the conditions are testing. The course is a traditional haunt, which has an old style pub with a seafood bar and a betting shop inside of it!

Set in West Yorkshire, Pontefract is one of the most popular tracks in the north of England and produces many course specialists. Being a stiff, undulating two-mile track, the emphasis is firmly placed on stamina in the staying races but front runners are ideally suited to this track in sprints where an inside, low draw is important.

Punchestown is a premier Grade 1 racecourse and one of the world’s finest. Why? Because it stages the best national hunt racing in the country and attracts the very best jumpers in Ireland, the UK, France and pretty much anywhere that can produce a good horse. The Punchestown festival is the highlight of the season in Ireland and arguably is the meeting which brings the curtain down on the NH season at both sides of the Irish Sea. The course hosts other key Grade 1 races, such as the John Durkan Memorial Chase and has seen countless champions pass through its gates. The hurdles course is 1m6f long and the chase course is 2f longer and in addition, Punchestown has Ireland’s only cross-country track which adds a unique dimension to an already unique venue.

Redcar is a flat, left-handed course of 1m6f and plays host to some quality races throughout the flat season, including listed races and a £150,000 nursery race for 2yo horses. There are sharp bends, but there is a straight course now for races up to one mile. Redcar is a racecourse which attracts some of the better quality of horses and trainers around.

Set in the Yorkshire Dales, Ripon is an undulating course with a long five-furlong run-in that has proven a very popular track with locals and tourists alike. The highlight of their year is the Great St Wilfrid Handicap, sponsored by William Hill and is one of the leading sprint races of the season, which takes place during August. One of the most attractive racecourses in Britain, the course delivers a lively and friendly atmosphere ideal for families.

Barring a few years during the Second World War, Roscommon has been racing since 1885 and now has Grade 2 status. Popular amongst trainers and jockeys, it has a reputation for being a fair starting point for young horses. Right handed and 1m2f in length, it has an incline to the finish and races are staged both in the flat season and over jumps. There are two 2-day meetings during the summer months of June and July which attract big crowds and create a lively atmosphere to back up some lovely views of the surrounding area for the grandstand. The track’s feature race is the 40,000 euro Grade 3 Kilbegnet Novices’ Chase in ran in September.

Widely regarded as an ideal track for the leading stables to introduce their better prospects, it is therefore unsurprising that this attractive racecourse pulls in the crowds. Although meetings are spread between May and October, there is a heavy leaning towards fixtures during the summer and the two evening meetings are particular favourites amongst the locals. Salisbury hosts relatively short distance races where the maximum trip will be 1m1f.

One of the principal dual-purpose tracks in Britain, virtually all of Sandown’s twenty-six meetings feature top-class racing. On the Flat, there are a number of pattern races highlighted by the Group 1 Coral-Eclipse in July. The three evening meetings are also not to be missed. Over fences, the steeplechase course offers one of the most exciting spectacles in racing, particularly the Railway Fences, three obstacles taken in quick succession down the back straight. The Whitbread Gold Cup brings the National Hunt season to an official close on a day that also features pattern races on the Flat.

Set in the tranquil Durham countryside, Sedgefield has built a strong reputation for a relaxed and friendly day out at the races. A tight track with fairly sharp bends, this is not a course that suits the long-striding galloper but when the ground is rain-softened, the steep, uphill finish rarely fails to come into play. Known for its Tuesday meetings, Sedgefield is an integral part of the National Hunt scene.

Sligo is one of Ireland’s lesser sung heroes – a small country track nestled into a beautiful part of the country with a stunning, mountainous backdrop and stages eight meetings a year across both flat and national hunt disciplines. Sligo racecourse is quite a sharp track of just a mile long, right handed, with a gradual incline to the finish. Racing here is competitive and popular meetings include the early August cards which often see some of the Galway festival die-hards continuing their celebrations onto this neighbouring county. The track boasts a spacious bar, an excellent eatery and snack bar and is great for close-up views of the racing action.

Principally known as an All-Weather track, Southwell also boasts a handful of turf fixtures under both codes. Laid with fibresand which rides deep, stamina-laden performers hold an advantage over their rivals and quite often American bred horses do well here. Although there is no jumping on the sand, the turf course attracts runners from many of the top yards. The hurdles used are temporary, removable units which provide a fair jumping test for novices and pros alike.

One of the most popular country tracks, Stratford-on-Avon Racecourse attracts many visitors, particularly for the summer meetings. The highlight of the season is the two-day in June which features the Champion Hunter Chase – one of the season’s principal hunter chases. With a triangular circuit to navigate, the majority of successes are achieved by those horses that like to race up with the pace.