Racecourse

Races had been held on the site unofficially since 1632 while the official meeting was held at Harlestone and Dallington Heath. However, because of the number of accidents, these were stopped in 1681.

With interest in race meetings waning, meetings came to a halt but were resumed in 1727 under the patronage of Lord Spencer and, in 1737, the first official race meet was held on the new course.

These races were very popular and frequently visited by Royalty, among them the Prince of Wales, later Edward Vll. 

With the development of the Racecourse came the development of the surrounding area with large houses being built for the ardent race goers.

Races were not the only spectator event held on the site. From 1715 until 1818, the site was used for public executions.

The Jockey Club closed the site for race meetings after the deaths of some spectators and the lobbying of various groups.

In 1912 the Council started to develop the area as a sports ground but from 1914 until 1915 the area was converted into an army camp of stables and tents to billet the Welsh Division of sixteen thousand men and seven thousand horses.

Following its use as allotments, improvements started again and by 1923 a new playground had been built. In 1930 the old Racecourse stand and law house was converted into the changing rooms and restaurant.

During the Second World War the Racecourse once again became an army camp until 1946 with huts, roads and barracks. In 1953 when the camp was demolished Racecourse was once again brought back to become a green area with tree planting and re-landscaping.

In 1974 the Racecourse hosted the International Heat of the Eurovision contest Jeux Sans Frontiers.

Last reviewed 20/03/2009