Cartmel racecourse is located in the beautiful village of Medieval, Cartmel, Cumburia County. The oval left-handed track is well known for holding National Hunt races, and has a total of nine racedays each year. The races commence in May during the Whit Holiday weekend, and run all through to the August Bank Holiday weekend. Its main circuit measures about one mile, and its most unique feature is that it has the longest run-in in the country, measuring up to over 4 furlongs. The steeplechase course is well-structured with a total of 6 fences, inclusive of water jumps and open ditches. It is designed in a way that its tracks are narrow with stiff fences and sharp bends, making it challenging and
thus suitable for horses specialized in front running courses.
Racing at Cartmel racecourse dates back to the 12th century, when it was started by the monks. However, it was until the year 1856 when official race meetings were held. The course saw a steady growth since then as the local land owners were in support of it. Racing came to a sudden halt following the outbreak of World War 2, but later, towards the second half of the 20th century it had resumed back to its normal activities. It made a strong comeback as it expanded its racing programs and made it more professional. In 1925, Cartmel racecourse dropped all other races and adhered to the National Hunt races.
Despite its small size, the racecourse has recorded a tremendous crowd attendance of over 20,000 people in a day. It has two public enclosures and a grandstand that offers different packages of dining and viewing options. Besides racing, Cartmel also hosts a wide range of events and functions. In 2014, it won a showcase award for Corporate Social Responsibility, which recognized its role in involving the local community in its activities.