Sporting Events
Alex Middleton investigates the sporting events taking place around the UK and rounds up the best options for groups.
The wide variety of sporting events hosted every year around the UK offer groups opportunities for many memorable days out. From equestrian events, such as horse racing and polo, to cricket and yachting, groups can enjoy not only the sport but a variety of hospitality and catering options to complete the day.
On the flat and over the jumps
Horse racing can provide groups with a good day’s sport.
In West Sussex, the Goodwood Racecourse hosts the annual racing festival, Glorious Goodwood at the end of July. Group discounts are available for 40 or more people, giving access to the trackside areas.
Also in the south east, at Epsom Downs in Surrey, groups can attend the Derby Festival, which takes place each June. Parties of more than 12 who book tickets for next year’s event before May 2008 are offered a discount on entrance to the Grandstand enclosure.
Staying in Surrey, Sandown Park holds the annual Eclipse Stakes every July, where groups are offered a 20% discount on entrance.
Closer to London, in Middlesex, Kempton Park has launched a series of new floodlit evening meets set to run throughout 2008. Discounts are available on pre-booked tickets.
In nearby Berkshire, Ascot Racecourse holds is home to the Royal Ascot race meet, which takes place over five days every June. Various group offers are available.
Staying in Berkshire, Royal Windsor Racecourse runs a series of meets from April to August each year including the Royal Windsor Festival Weekend each June. Discounts are available on various packages, which can include restaurant bookings.
Meanwhile, in Suffolk, Newmarket Racecourse hosts the annual three-day July Festival. Group discounts are offered on ‘Party Packs’, which include tickets and pre-booked meals.
In the north of England, Liverpool’s Aintree Racecourse hosts the Grand National Steeplechase each April. Group discounts are available on packages at this event.
Staying in the north of England, Doncaster Racecourse in south Yorkshire hosts the four day St Leger Festival each September. There is a 10% discount on entry for groups of more than 20 people.
Winning chukkas
The UK’s numerous major polo tournaments also offer GTOs an interesting group day out.
In West Sussex, Cowdray Park is an affordable option for groups. Its annual fixtures include the Veuve Clicquot Gold Cup each July.
In Windsor, the Royal County of Berkshire Polo Club hosts the Prince of Wales Trophy every May, for which various group discounts are available.
Nearby, the Guards Polo Club, located in Windsor Great Park, is home to the annual Queen’s Cup Tournament, which takes place over three weeks in May and June.
Leather on willow
International cricket in the UK tends to take place mainly at London’s Lords Cricket Ground and the Oval, both of which have now announced their 2008 international fixtures, including the five day npower test between England and New Zealand next May at Lords, and the five day npower test between England and South Africa at the Oval next August. However, several regional UK cricket grounds also feature international fixtures as well as county cricket. Group discounts are not offered on all matches and differ depending upon the game.
In the south east, the Kent County Cricket Ground in Canterbury features numerous county matches throughout the cricket season, including the four day Canterbury Cricket Festival, held each August.
At the Gloucestershire County Cricket Ground in Bristol, England will face New Zealand next June and group rates are available.
At Nottingham’s Trent Bridge England will play New Zealand in a five day test next June and South Africa in a one day match next August. Various group discounts on tickets are negotiable.
In the north of England, the Durham County Cricket Ground will host England and New Zealand next June and an international Twenty20 match, which features only 20 overs and lasts just an evening, between England and South Africa in August.
On the links
Groups should also find that UK golf tournaments prove a good choice.
In the West Midlands, the Belfry hosts the annual Quinn Direct British Masters each September. Various group discounts are available.
Moving to south Wales, the Celtic Manor Welsh Open is held in Newport each May. Although group discounts are not available, discounts are offered on bookings before January 2008.
In Scotland, the Loch Lomond Golf Club hosts the annual Barclays’ Scottish Open each July. Group discounts are negotiable.
Weighing anchor
Groups can also enjoy the UK’s various yachting and boating events.
On the Isle of Wight, the annual Skandia Cowes Week takes place each August. Featuring over 1,000 vessels in 2008, the week is free to attend, although accommodation should be booked well in advance.
In Henley-on-Thames, the annual Henley Royal Regatta runs across five days every July. The rowing competitions are free to watch and groups can also book tickets for the Regatta Enclosure, where catering is available.
In London, the 154th Oxford and Cambridge Boat Race will take place in March 2008. Starting at Putney Bridge and ending at Mortlake, the race is free to watch from the banks of the Thames.
Burning rubber
For groups looking for speed, there are various motorsports events taking place over the coming year.
At the Goodwood Motor Circuit in West Sussex, the Goodwood Festival of Speed takes place each July. Groups looking for nostalgia will find it at the Goodwood Revival each September, which features races between cars of the 1950s and 60s. Group discounts are negotiable.
In Northamptonshire, the Silverstone Circuit hosts the annual British Grand Prix every July. Although group discounts are only negotiable on bookings worth over �5000, a 33% discount is available on early bookings.
On the Isle of Man, at the end of May, groups can see the motor cycle trials of the Isle of Man Tourist Trophy. The races take place across the island and a range of festivals and events, including displays by the Red Arrows, will also take place as part of the island-wide event.