With travelers facing more uncertainty due to the ongoing rail strike and planned engineering work, many planning to attend Plate Day in Newcastle on Saturday will be concerned about how to reach Gosforth Park.
The highlight of the Northumberland Plate Festival takes place on Saturdays and the annual event tends to see the crowds start arriving as soon as the doors open, as no one wants to miss a moment of the day. Usually, what to wear and the weather are top concerns for racegoers, but this year’s RMT union strike dates will threaten many carefully crafted travel plans.
With rail strikes due to take place on Thursday, the opening day of the racing festival, as well as Plate Day itself, June 25, people will be keen to prepare their journeys in good time as the fallout is likely to see more pressure on alternative transport services and a bustling city centre. Newcastle Racecourse has offered advice on transport options as well as additional measures to help people reach the Gosforth ground.
Read more: Weather forecast for Plate Day
For those not traveling by road, the good news is that the North East has good tube and bus links to help people reach Newcastle and Gosforth Park. In addition, there will be shuttles to the racecourse.
(Image: Newcastle Chronicle)
be ready
The best advice is to plan ahead and allow extra time to get to the racetrack. Gates will open two hours before the first race and the racecourse reminds people that many bars and food outlets will also be open from this time. Here are the schedules for the three days of the festival.
Thursday June 23 – doors open at 11 a.m.; first race 1 p.m.; last race 4:30 p.m.
friday june 24 – doors open at 3 p.m.; first race 4:55 p.m.; last race at 8:20 p.m. Judge Jules provides post-race entertainment.
Judge Jules will perform live from approximately 8:50 p.m. to 10 p.m. at the end of the event.
Plate Day, Saturday June 24 – doors open at 11 a.m.; first race 1:15 p.m.; last race at 5:15 p.m. Pete Tong will then take the stage.
Pete Tong – see him perform live from approximately 5:45 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.-7:30 p.m. Note that times are approximate.
The buses
Bus numbers 43 and 44 leave from Haymarket bus station in the town center every few minutes and arrive at a stop just outside the racecourse road entrance.
There is also an X15, X22, X21 and X11 from Haymarket and an X18 from Eldon Square bus station.
Shuttle Buses
Shuttles will be in place from Four Lane Ends and Regent Center tube stations. These start an hour and a half before the race, until the first race, then offer returns from the racecourse to the same metro stations directly after the race.
A later service will also take place this year at the official after-party at Aveika on the quayside. This will be available from the last race until the end of the concert, with seats available on a first-come, first-served basis. Race fans can access the after-party free of charge upon presentation of their race ticket.
Taxis
A taxi from Newcastle city center to the racecourse would cost around £10.
The racecourse adds: “We strongly advise you to pre-book your taxis for the end of the evening if necessary. He recommends LA Taxis on 0191 2877 777. Taxi pick up points at Gosforth Park are located to the east and west of the estate.
By the road
Brown and white tourist office signs bearing a horse and rider will identify Gosforth Park Racecourse from the A1, A19 and main Newcastle access roads.
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