Overview

The course at Fontwell is a figure of eight track to allow for longer distance racing, laid out in 1924. Fontwell lies between Chichester and Arundel, in a fertile plain of the South Downs, starting off as a very small village that stood in West Sussex, and because of its rich soil it attracts many market gardeners. What does its name imply ? A font is something that can hold water, and a well is where you find water, and this has been a watering hole for travellers since Roman times, who simply knew it as “Font”, relying on its stream by the side of a road for drinking, as they journey to and from Chichester. It was monks, who also used its stream, that added the Anglo-Saxon word “well” and ever since it is known as Fontwell. Apparently, the font or spring, and well are still part of the race course today, and can be seen by all within the grounds of Fontwell Park. Prior to 1923, this area was used for gallops for horses for Alfred Day who then allowed the Fontwell Park Steeplechase committee permission to build a race course here, and he laid out a figure of eight track, which today is still the only tract of this design in use the country, and is still only used for jumping races, and currently holds 11 meetings each year, the most well known being it’s Boxing Day race meeting. The first race meeting was held on Wednesday 21st May 1924, under national hunt rules, with the horse Gem, winning the 3 mile Walderton steeplechase with the then champion jockey on board, F.B.REES. It was at Fontwell that Princess Elizabeth won her first ever racing success, with her horse Monaveen winning, for her and her mother who jointly owned the horse. FONTWELL PARK is not an easy course to see without entering the stadium itself, and as no racing today as jumping not yet really started, we only managed to take photos around the entrance to the park itself. Would we recommend this track ? Hard to say, but if you prefer jumping horses, then at least you would be able to see a lot more of the action than perhaps at the bigger courses. Personally we were not all that impressed, we felt it rather small around the entrance and perhaps it may be difficult for wheelchairs to find room to get around comfortably.

Transport & Parking

Parking is rather limited, you would need to get there early to make sure of a space.

Access

There’s a slight slope uphill for wheelchair user but it can be managed, ideal if you have a carer that can push you. There is a good view of the course and racing as they approach the finish line, so you can feel the excitement grow, and then you will be able to see the parade ground as they bring in the winning horse.

Toilets

Staff

Photos