Which is the closest racecourse to central London?

Anyone looking for horse racing in the vicinity of the capital city may be pleased to learn that there are, in fact, five or six racecourses, offering Flat and National Hunt action, within 30 miles of central London. Kempton Park, which is situated in Sunbury-on-Thames, Surrey, on the outskirts of Greater London, is the closest of them all, at a distance of just over 15 miles via the A4 and A316.

Kempton Park is, in fact, one of the busiest racecourses in Europe, hosting Flat and National Hunt racing all year ’round; the most prestigious race of the year is the Grade 1 King George VI Chase, run annually on Boxing Day.

Sandown Park, in the outlying London suburb of Esher, is only slightly further away, at a distance of nearly 18 miles via the A3, which connects the City of London and Portsmouth. Remarkably, Epsom Downs Racecourse, home of the Derby, is less than 20 miles away from central London via the A3, or even closer if you’re prepared to forsake the A3 for a slightly slower route on the A24, between Clapham and Worthing, West Sussex. Slightly further afield, although still on 25 miles from central London, Royal Windsor Racecourse can be reached via the A4 and M4. Continuing west, Ascot Racecourse is less than five miles further and can be reached via the M25 and A30 Staines Bypass.