Folkestone Racecourse - 01303 266 407

Folkestone Racecourse was a thoroughbred horse racing venue in southeast England, until it closed in 2012. It is located in Westenhanger, by junction 11 of the M20 motorway and about two miles west of Folkestone. Since 2013 the venue has hosted the War and Peace show previously held at the Hop Farm at Beltring.The course remains closed and all running rail and steeplechase fences have been removed.In May 2016 it was revealed that the land the racecourse covers is part of a plan to develop and build housing.HistoryThe history of the Westenhanger estate dates back to 1035 when it was owned by King Canute. The 14th century Westenhanger Castle can still be seen next to the main grandstand.The race course was established in 1898, and was a right-handed undulating oval with a run in of 3f and a 7f straight chute. The centre of the course is farmed, and has a reservoir fed by a pumping station on the west side of the oval. The East Stour river runs along the western edge of the oval and under the straight course.In July 2012, Arena Leisure and Northern Racing, the lessees of the racecourse announced the closure of the racecourse as a temporary measure. Outdated facilities and the delay of a project to build houses on part of the site were given as the reasons for the closure. It was announced that a final decision would be made in 2013. Folkestone held its last scheduled meeting on 18 December 2012.

Tags: Stadium, Arena & Sports Venue