Horse Races
Where to lose your shirt in York
If York seems full of women in their best summer frocks and extravagant hats, accompanied by men in suits and ties, all perhaps the worse for wear at the overflowing pubs, then you have probably caught York on one of its race days.
York horse races have 8 meetings a year on the Knavesmire, each lasting several days, and all between May and October.
A day at the races, with betting at the course, draws visitors from a wide area, with traffic build-up on the roads into York in early and late afternoons.
A visit is not without rules and etiquette. Men entering the County Stand (usually £35 and up) must have jacket and tie. Otherwise they are limited to the grandstand/paddock area (around £25 per day).
Your own food and drink isn't allowed, except to the course enclosure section. (If you want to picnic, a cricket field across the road often attracts racegoers beforehand.)
Tip Tickets can be bought at the gate, but early bird advance tickets (online) are cheaper.