The Racecourse Prices Index: how much for food and drink at Southwell?

In the Racecourse Prices Index (RPI) we report from Britain and Ireland's racetracks on the cost of going racing.

Racecourse report: entry, food and pint prices from Southwell

Southwell

Date visited: Tuesday, January 10, 2023

Was it a big day?

No. A seven-race evening all-weather card with the only race worth more than £10,000 the feature Class 3 handicap.

How much was entry on the gate?

£17 for adults in advance as well on the gate and £12 for seniors. Children 17 and under were free if accompanied by an adult.

Other than restaurants/hospitality, what were the food and beverage options?

Unsurprisingly for an evening meeting, not all of the food facilities were open with the Castle Bar, Fish and Chip Bar and Coffee Shop inside the indoor area for the punters shut. However, the Sherwood Bar was more than adequate for the midweek crowd with a food bar well positioned adjacent to the only open bar. Chicken, steak and vegan pies were on offer along with sausage rolls. Stable staff are also well looked after at Southwell, with a sizeable indoor space of their own to enjoy hot meals.

What's the damage?

Bottle of water: free water available from the Sherwood Bar or £2.60 if you wanted a bottle
Tea or coffee: £2.50
Cheapest pint: £5.35 (Carlsberg and Bombardier)
Guinness: £5.85
Prosecco: £35 for a bottle
Pie: £5.50

All drink prices taken from the main racecourse bar, or where there are multiple bars, one chosen at random.

What was the pie like?

Despite no mash being available, which left the meal feeling slightly incomplete, the chicken and mushroom pie with gravy and mushy peas was excellent. At £8, it also felt reasonably priced in comparison with some of the bland burgers I've had at other racecourses which cost the same if not more.

And the queues?

Virtually non-existent with most of the crowd more interested in having a bet with the Tote and on-course bookmakers than food or alcoholic drinks, understandably so with most having to drive home.

What did the punters say?

I come fairly regularly and the prices are not too bad. We're Lincolnshire way so we go to Market Rasen, Huntingdon or here and occasionally Newmarket. They don't have a big selection of drinks here sometimes. These two were 16 something quid [pint of lager and a double spirit mixer]. The price of everything has gone up, but we know and expect that. You always pay more at the races.
Leo Fragale, Spalding

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