The short answer
Helicopter charter to the races means flying guests to a racecourse helipad or a nearby airfield on the day, then back again after the last race. The big meetings, from Royal Ascot to the Cheltenham Festival, run their own helipads, arranged in advance and subject to landing permission, so slots are limited and book early.
Quote this event Tell us the date and the number of guests; we reply with options and a price for the whole aircraft.
Key facts
- Best-known meetings
- Cheltenham Festival, Grand National, Derby, Royal Ascot, Glorious Goodwood, Newmarket July Festival, Ebor, St Leger
- Racecourse helipads
- Ascot, Cheltenham, Epsom and Aintree run race-day helipads; we request your slot with your booking
- Flight time from central London
- Epsom about 10 to 15 min, Ascot 15 to 20, Goodwood 25 to 30, Newmarket 30 to 35, Cheltenham 35 to 45, Aintree 70 to 85, York 70 to 85
- Group size
- Up to 8 passengers per helicopter, several helicopters for larger parties
- Tickets
- Race-day tickets are checked on arrival at the racecourse helipads
- Check-in
- Arrive 10 minutes before take-off
Which racecourse and which meeting?
Horse racing by helicopter suits any party that wants to arrive together and on time, and leave when racing allows.
Pick the meeting for your guests and your calendar first, then the departure point. The main choices differ in character, in how easy landing is, and in how soon they fill.
| Meeting | 2027 dates (check with the organiser) | Where we land | From central London |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cheltenham Festival | Tuesday 16 to Friday 19 March | Racecourse helipad, a short walk away | 35 to 45 min |
| Grand National, Aintree | Thursday 8 to Saturday 10 April | Racecourse helipad | 70 to 85 min |
| Derby Festival, Epsom | Friday 4 and Saturday 5 June | Racecourse helipad on race days | 10 to 15 min |
| Royal Ascot | Tuesday 15 to Saturday 19 June | Ascot heliport | 15 to 20 min |
| July Festival, Newmarket | Thursday 8 to Saturday 10 July | Arranged with the racecourse | 30 to 35 min |
| Glorious Goodwood | Reported as 27 to 31 July | Goodwood aerodrome, then a transfer | 25 to 30 min |
| Ebor Festival, York | Reported as 18 to 21 August | Arranged with the racecourse | 70 to 85 min |
| St Leger, Doncaster | 9 to 12 September | Nearby airfield and a car | Quoted on request |
The central London times are the typical helicopter block times from Battersea. Add the lift to the helipad at your end.
How a race day runs
A race day by helicopter has a fixed rhythm, and it is built around the first and last race, because most racecourses restrict movements while horses are on the course.
- Late morning: guests meet at the departure site, 10 minutes before take-off. For central London that is Battersea. From the Midlands or north it is usually a local airfield or heliport.
- Arrival before racing starts: at the racecourse helipads you are met, taken to a private enclosure and then to the stands or the hospitality marquee. Landings are typically held for a period around the first race, so the slot you hold matters.
- Lunch and racing: the helicopter either waits or repositions, depending on the site and the rules.
- After the last race: there is usually a short wait for take-offs to reopen, then a transfer back to the helipad. At Cheltenham the Jockey Club schedule allows take-offs from 30 minutes after the last race unless the Clerk of the Course agrees otherwise.
- Evening: back at the departure site, with a car if you have asked for one. Our chauffeur partner covers the ground leg at either end.
Where a helicopter can and cannot land
Landing at a racecourse is arranged with the venue in advance, subject to landing permission and site suitability. We never promise a slot we do not hold, and we tell you when the answer is an airfield and a car.
- Race-day helipads: Ascot, Cheltenham, Epsom and Aintree. The racecourse arranges the helipad, you show your race-day tickets on arrival, and a team meets you.
- Goodwood: helicopters land at Goodwood aerodrome and transfer to the racecourse, with event slots allocated early.
- Newmarket, York, Doncaster and Newbury: arrangements depend on the meeting and the racecourse. We confirm what is allowed for your date before you commit.
- Smaller courses: Lingfield, Fontwell, Brighton and Exeter are among those our clients fly to, usually with a landing nearby and a short car transfer. Ask us for your fixture.
Read our explainer on UK landing sites for why venues control this, and the directory of UK heliports and airfields for alternatives.
Choosing the right helicopter and departure point
For race days we use the helicopter that fits your party and the time of year. A group of six to eight suits the Leonardo AW139; a smaller group can go in an Agusta 109 Grand, and the Airbus H145 D3 seats eight with room for soft bags.
In March the short daylight is the deciding factor at Cheltenham. Every aircraft we arrange is twin-engine, which gives more flexibility on the return. Our Battersea guide to twin-engine helicopters explains why.
From central London, London helicopter transfers start at Battersea. Many racing days also depart from Redhill, Biggin Hill or Bournemouth, and from the Midlands and north via the pages for Birmingham, Manchester and Leeds.
Other racing and equestrian days
Beyond the big four, we also arrange flights to Ayr Racecourse in the west of Scotland, Chester Racecourse on the Roodee, Newbury Racecourse in Berkshire and Badminton Horse Trials in Gloucestershire. Each page sets out the landing sites and the timings that apply.
Availability and booking
We lose some availability each year around Glorious Goodwood, Cheltenham Gold Cup week and Royal Ascot, because those weeks are the busiest for the whole industry. Clients who book a year in advance for the Festival do so for good reason.
If the flight is cancelled because of the weather, you pay nothing. Weight details are needed for everyone on board and you arrive 10 minutes before take-off.
For rough costs, see the helicopter hire price guides, then use the quote form here for a figure on your date. Prefer a different sport? Return to the corporate days out hub.
Frequently asked questions
Can I land a helicopter at Royal Ascot?
Yes, there is a heliport at the racecourse, and the racecourse runs it year-round subject to permission. Landings are arranged in advance and slots for the five days of Royal Ascot go early. See helicopter charter to Ascot.
Do I need race-day tickets to use the helipad?
At Cheltenham, Epsom and Aintree the racecourse says passengers show their race-day tickets on arrival, so every guest needs a ticket or hospitality pass. Check with the racecourse for your own meeting.
What is the best racecourse to fly to from London?
Epsom and Ascot are the shortest, about 10 to 15 and 15 to 20 minutes from Battersea. Cheltenham and Newmarket are the most popular longer hops, at roughly 35 to 45 and 30 to 35 minutes.
Can we leave before the last race?
Yes. Landing and take-off restrictions mostly bite around race times, so leaving early is usually simpler. If you want to stay to the end, plan for a short wait after the last race before take-offs reopen.
Can I charter a helicopter from outside London to the races?
Yes. Popular starts include Birmingham for Cheltenham, Manchester or Leeds for York, Liverpool for Aintree and Southampton for Goodwood. Tell us where you are and we quote the route.
Why is a twin-engine helicopter recommended for Cheltenham?
In March daylight is short and the last race is in the late afternoon. We plan the return around the light and the last race, and every aircraft we arrange is a twin, which gives you more freedom on the return. We do not offer single-engine charter.
Can you collect us from home or the office?
Where a private site is suitable, yes, with the landowner's permission and subject to site suitability. Otherwise we use the nearest airfield or heliport and arrange a car.
