CARLISLE RACECOURSE - HOSPITALITY
Swifts Restaurant Hospitality Package – Carlisle Racecourse
We arrived at the beautiful Swifts Restaurant at Carlisle Racecourse to a warm welcome from the staff, who showed us straight to our private table where our racecard awaited. From the outset, service was impressive – attentive waiters and waitresses promptly took our drinks orders from the modern paid bar and checked in regularly to ensure we were happy and comfortable.
The £70 hospitality package offered excellent value. It included a set three-course meal, with fresh bread and oil already waiting for us on the table.
• Starter: A slow-roasted tomato soup with a Parmesan-crusted cheese straw – full of flavour, well-balanced, and generously portioned.
• Main course: A choice between chargrilled garlic and rosemary chicken supreme served with chorizo new potatoes, summer peas and a rich red wine jus, or a vegetarian option of cauliflower fritters with pickled vegetable salad, roasted tomatoes and a chilli purée. The chicken dish was attractively presented and the chorizo potato was bursting with flavour.
• Dessert: A warm Belgian chocolate fondant with vanilla ice cream and mint purée. Desserts could be served between specific races, allowing guests the flexibility to enjoy the action on course without missing out.
The track view from Swifts Restaurant is one of its greatest strengths. Guests benefit from a private balcony directly overlooking the winning post, providing superb views of the racing. The vantage point covers most of the course and is especially striking during flat meetings as horses tackle Carlisle’s famous uphill finish. For those who wish to soak up the atmosphere trackside, the balcony offers quick access to the grandstand and rails, with the reassurance that their table remains reserved.
Drinks were also well catered for, with a full paid bar serving a wide range of beers, wines and spirits. A pint of Guinness £6.95 was served at the right temperature, poured in a glass, and of good taste. The price point sitting right alongside the cheaper pints of Guinness we’ve seen across the racecourses we’ve visited so far. The restaurant itself felt modern, spacious and light, creating a comfortable setting for a day’s racing.
Overall, the Swifts Restaurant package at Carlisle offers outstanding value for money. At £70 per person, it combines restaurant-quality dining, attentive service, and an unrivalled view of the action. Few racecourse hospitality options at this price point deliver such a well-rounded experience.
