Ayr Racecourse
17 minute walk from Newton-on-Ayr station · South West
Ayr Racecourse is Scotland’s premier racecourse, located at Whitletts Road in Ayr. Opened in 1907, this five-star visitor attraction features both flat and National Hunt courses. The site includes the historic Western House, a listed Arts and Crafts building, and the Rothesay Stand.
The venue is steeped in history, hosting the Western Meeting since 1824 and the prestigious Scottish Grand National since 1966. It is home to the Ayr Gold Cup, now the richest sprint handicap in Europe. The course is highly acclaimed, having been voted the best racecourse in Scotland nineteen times.
Visitors can enjoy a range of race meets throughout the year, most notably the Scottish National festival in April and flat racing in September. You can experience the excitement of the track alongside 20,000 other spectators, watching elite athletes compete on a fair, wide course characterised by gentle undulations and well-graded turns.
Visitor information
- Place type
- Racecourse
- Good for
- Architecture, Horse racing
- Characteristics
- Arts and crafts, Edwardian, Listed, Nationally significant, Open-air
- Admission
- Paid admission
- Opening
- Open year-round
- Region
- South West
Stations within walking distance
- Newton-on-Ayr station — 17 min walk, 1.4 km
- Ayr station — 21 min walk, 1.7 km
Other places near Newton-on-Ayr
- Ayr United FC (Somerset Park) — 12 min walk from the station
- St Margaret's Cathedral — 17 min walk from the station
- Auld Kirk of Ayr — 19 min walk from the station
- Wallace Tower — 19 min walk from the station
- Gaiety Theatre — 20 min walk from the station
- St. John's Tower — 20 min walk from the station