Cartmel Racecourse

Took my son and the dogs to Cartmel.   We took a very pleasant walk through the woods.  Whilst I showed my son the old cross-country jumps (that are unfortunately either overgrown or rotting into the ground, they have been there a very long time!),  the dogs went exploring.  They were probably taking great pleasure in the scents of rabbits, squirrels and deer, not to mention other dogs. and maybe the odd fox.

We then trudged in the pouring rain around Cartmel Racecourse and through the paddock area, to the great delight of my son, an aspiring jockey to be.

The earliest written account of racing at Cartmel dates back to 1856. It's almost certain that racing has taken place here since at least the middle of the fifteenth century when monks of the nearby priory entertained themselves by organising racing on mules, no bookmakers naturally but little doubt some form of illegal gambling took place.

Early meetings were on the flat but by the start of the twentieth century the course had switched codes and had become a jump only venue. This was far more in keeping with the interests of the local population who were steeped in farming and hunting.

http://www.cartmel-racecourse.co.uk/metadot/index.pl?id=2179;isa=Category;op=show

Cartmel has become increasingly popular with tourists over the years boasting the very fine 12th century Priory, some excellent eating places and fine local craft shops.