Kempton Park Cache Traditional Cache

A quick cache and dash for racegoers or anyone else passing by. BYOP.

The racecourse was the idea of 19th century businessman S.H. Hyde, who was enjoying a carriage drive in the country when he came across Kempton Manor and Park for sale. Hyde leased the grounds as tenant in 1872 and six years later in July 1878 Kempton opened as a racecourse. No buildings of the manor house remain.

The first ever race held at Kempton Park took place on the 18th July 1878. 

A Royal Box was constructed in just 21 days in 1889 to cater for a visit from the Prince of Wales.

The racecourse suffered major damage to the grandstand, restaurant, member’s stand and tattersalls bar as a result of fire in 1932.

Kempton Park was a major victim of both World Wars when all racing was abandoned and the site was used for a number of purposes related to the war. During the First World War, the park was used as a transit depot for military vehicles. The Racecourses at Gatwick, Hurst Park and Sandown adopted Kempton Park’s fixtures until 1919, when racing resumed at Kempton.

The site played a major role in accommodating prisoners of war throughout World War II. The main line rail station situated on the grounds of the racecourse allowed German and Italian soldiers to be directly routed to the temporary camp that was set up.

After the War had ended it became clear that the events of the previous six years had ruined much of the racecourse and a major reparation project ensued, before racing re-commenced in 1947.

The current grandstand was completed in 1997 after some redevelopment work. T

The site briefly closed (2 May 2005-25 March 2006) to reopen with a new all-weather polytrack (synthetic material) main track and floodlighting to enable racing at all light levels and all but the most severe bad weather.

Happy Hunting.

Congratulations to Waspbuster on FTF - Good to see you back.