Thirsk Racecourse Club Campsite

Just back from a wonderful 3 nights at Thirsk that incorporated race day for the 1st time. We've been before but never when there's horse racing on. The wardens explained everything we needed to know about the rally field, times etc. The wardens in my opinion were very approachable, friendly and happy to chat, helpful and very good at their jobs. We had no issues using the rally field which was level, had 2 water points if needed and an elsan point. We found everyone using it alongside ourselves very chatty, respectful of other outfits and parked up honouring the 6m rule. Race day was fabulous. The sun was shining, we could just about hear the tannoy and even though I'm not a big fan of horse racing, seeing beautiful horses up close was a delight. Getting back to the main site after the races finished was effortless, the wardens again, doing a great job of looking after their clientele. I have no issues with the site at Thirsk. Every detail and all information regarding racing and access etc is readily available on the club site. I have used the facilities rarely but have always found them to be clean. I tend to use my own facilities as they were included in my outfit and aren't ornaments. If the club was charging £40 per night, there could be an argument about the condition of the facilities. Personally, I prefer to keep nightly fees lower. For all those who keep complaining, please use other sites and leave Thirsk to those of us who look beyond the aesthetics and return again and again enjoying the ambience and more relaxed experience. We will be back next year.

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August Bank holiday weekend ,

An hit n miss site this. Firstly, I was the last pitch available when I arrived which was basically a mound and i couldn't level the caravan with the pitch markers in their position. even just pulling up to the pitch you can see why it was the last one.
I don’t mind a caravan not being perfectly level but this was very bad.

Then add the electric point in front of my awning which also had the caravan behind me cable running through my awning/pitch. I didn’t use the facilities, although they were clean but are clearly beyond their best. They are basically the jockey’s washrooms from their dormitory. They are not up to the clubs usual 90’s standards.

It’s annoying that you have to move location on race days. Which I think seams pointless if you want to come for the racing. The location though is why I am there. Thirsk is an amazing place. 5mins walk from the site. Lidl next door. And market days with lots of different stalls. Plenty of independent shops and the odd generic ones like Greggs for though that like a bit of grizzle.

The location out ways the negatives. But improvements are required. I think the lack of barrier is very concerning for security. Looking forward to coming back with friends for some nights in Thirsk.

The staff were fantasic though. Thankyou.

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Lovely site. Quick and easy check in, clean and ample facilities and friendly , helpful staff. Has all the amenities we could want. Close to town and shops but still peaceful. Tidy ,well kept site. will be returning as often as we can. Thankyou.

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Arrived on Monday evening approx 19.00 purposely so as not to have to go on to other field and then back again. On arrival we paid for a extra night and asked where we could pitch. The couple who run it where having a dispute between them selves because the lady had put the pegs in the wrong place. The man threw a peg at the woman narrowly missing her. When we got on the pitch we were next to a European motorhome which has its habitation door on the opposite side so making it were we were both sharing the same bit of grass. My wife went and asked if we could turn round so as not to invade there privacy and was told that this happens. We were allowed to turn round which we did and then the man told the other van that they were wrong way round and made them turn round as well. Which was ridiculous. On that note we went off into Thirsk to get a evening meal. So all in all they weren't that helpful.

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Thirsk is a lovely setting, as oft mentioned in reviews, an excellent location for access to the small town and all its joys. Visiting over many years. found it a friendly and enjoyable place to visit. These are my comments, that it is time that the club took notice of the feelings of aggrievement and dissatisfaction that have been a topic of discussion by many other members too. The excuse stated is that the site is not owned by the club, but rented from the racecourse, which does not excuse the absolute lack of any investment in the site. A landlord accepts fees from the leaseholder, the club accepts fees from the members and both have an obligation to provide a minimum service which frankly is no longer being provided. I suggest the following points and would ask other members to join in my requests. Grab rails in the shower cubicles , these should be mandatory for safety due to the high step into the actual shower area. The showers are functional and kept clean but are dangerous for less than able bodied as the step is approximately 8”, not safe in a wet slippy environment. Grass cutting or lack thereof. The grass is cut by the racecourse on race days and not in between those dates, resulting in an unacceptable length of grass on what is a solely grass site, access can be awkward, especially when it rains, as it does. A growing number of unfilled grass pot holes, rendering the site very uneven and full of potential trip hazards. The race course could be contacted to cut round the roadways possibly once a week outwith the race dates cut, this has been an arrangement made by prior wardens. The wardens, although part time, could be provided with a small mower, for even a minimum 1 hour a week tidying up roadways and even pitches. With a small investment some plastic grid style matting could be laid, the cost shared between the racecourse and the caravan site as both would benefit from a firmer surface. An unusual caravan site in that there is a perception of a lack of security, mainly due to the lack of a barrier. I suggest a visual gate system, fold back aside during the day, pulled across at night, not actually locked, 8pm to 8am, start and end of wardens hours maybe, 2 sets of concertinaed, folded back gates across the entrance, not interfering with the race day parking and normal access. Greater minds could improve this idea! There are 3 taps, but only 1 drainage point at the top of the site. There is a drain manhole next to pitch 10 that could made into a second grey waste point. The other suggestion would be for a change round in the service building, swapping the indoor Wardens Office, with the dish wash area, bringing daylight and a sense of belonging to the wardens. This would give them a more visible role on the site.

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