Huntingdon Racecourse

The racecourse sits just outside Huntingdon, a flat stretch of Cambridgeshire where the action happens in bursts rather than all year round. It's a proper racing venue - the kind where you'll see jumpers and flat racing depending on the season, with crowds that range from serious punters to families treating it as a day out.

Race days are the only time it's really worth visiting, obviously. The atmosphere lifts considerably when there's a card on - you get decent viewing from the stands, a decent enough bar setup, and enough space to wander if the actual racing isn't holding your attention. Kids can find it a bit dull between races, but the spectacle of the horses themselves tends to keep them entertained for a couple of hours at least.

It's the sort of place that works well as a side trip rather than a destination in itself. If you're camping at Grafham Water Caravan and Motorhome Club Campsite - barely twenty minutes away - and there's racing on, it's worth the drive. Check the fixture list before you pitch up, though. A rainy Tuesday with no racing would be a complete waste of your time.

Admission varies by race card, and you'll want a tenner for parking. Bring cash for the bookies, bring an umbrella (it's Cambridgeshire in winter), and don't expect Ascot glamour. But it's solid, local racing without the pretension.