Fancy buying a racecourse? Historic Lewes site up for sale for £2.5m

A unique opportunity to spend every day at the track has emerged after Lewes racecourse was put up for sale.

The Old Racecourse, perched on top of the Downs on the edge of the south coast town, is on the market for £2.45 million and features a number of original buildings, not to mention the sweeping course itself.

Lewes was once a significant training centre with the racecourse at its heart before its closure in September 1964. The likes of 'Towser' Gosden, father of multiple champion trainer John Gosden, were based in the area, while Jim and Suzi Best still train close to the racecourse.

While the old bookies hall has been converted into stabling, the Tote building remains intact with several of the stable doors retained as part of the property. In addition, the original post and railing remain in place on the course, which curls right-handed across the Downs and back towards the old buildings.

Lewes racecourse in pictures

The old bookies hall at Lewes has been converted into stablingCredit: Graves Son and Pilcher

The Tote building at Lewes remains intactCredit: Graves Son and Pilcher

Lewes racecourse curls right-handed across the Downs and back towards the old buildingsCredit: Graves Son and Pilcher

"The racecourse is essentially still intact," says seller Claire BeardCredit: Graves Son and Pilcher

Claire Beard, who is selling the racecourse with her business partner, said the property retained much of its character from when racing took place and remained a much-loved part of the local community.

View the property on Rightmove here

She said: "The racecourse is essentially still intact. There are still the original rails and fences up, and when you gallop around it there's the authentic feel of being on a racecourse with all the cambers and nuances you get with a racecourse.

"The history of the place is something I've always found very special and it's got a real link with the community here in Lewes still. There are loads of people who have memories of coming racing here."

The property has extensive equestrian facilities as well as modern, refurbished cottages. There is also the potential for extra land on the site to be acquired by any would-be buyer.

Lewes racecourse down the years

A finish at Lewes races in 1932Credit: Daily Herald Archive

Action at Lewes racecourse during the last meeting to be held there on September 14, 1964Credit: Mirrorpix

The view of where the stands were from the six-furlong pointCredit: Steve Dennis

Down the home straight at Lewes racecourseCredit: Steve Dennis

With much of the facility remaining horse-focused, Beard, who said there had been a couple of early inquiries from potential buyers, said she believed there was scope for training to resume on the land.

She said: "I would love to sell to someone who has a real passion for horses and the racing industry, maybe someone who could train from here, or someone who would be able to operate an equestrian business and help maintain it in a loving way.

"I did get permission to have camping on here, so maybe even something like pony camps as it's such a brilliant place. We've spent the last few years rewilding it all and I've ridden around the course plenty of times. There's an eight-furlong all-weather gallop and the grass gallops are amazing, as you might expect."

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