Racing at the Garrison

The Garrison Savannah was the parade ground of the British garrison and has been a racecourse since 1845, a flat six-furlong oval around the middle of the historic area with the old military buildings on all sides. Meetings run through two seasons, roughly January to April and October to December, on most Saturdays. The Sandy Lane Gold Cup, run in late February or March, is the biggest race in the eastern Caribbean and the day the whole island turns out, with the infield full and betting done at the rail. On ordinary Saturdays it is cheap, informal and entirely local.

What you actually see

• The Gold Cup - the eastern Caribbean's biggest race, in late February or March.
• The savannah setting - racing inside a World Heritage garrison.
• The rail - free access on most days, where the island watches from.
• Ordinary Saturdays - cheap, informal and almost entirely Barbadian.

When to go

The two seasons run roughly January to April and October to December, with meetings most Saturdays. The Gold Cup is in late February or March and is the one to time for, though it is also the most crowded and expensive.

Honest expectations

Facilities are basic outside the grandstand and there is little shade at the rail. Gold Cup day is very crowded and grandstand tickets sell out. Meetings can be cancelled or rescheduled at short notice. Ordinary race days are quiet enough that some visitors find them flat.

Nearby

The Barbados Museum is at the savannah's edge; Bridgetown is a short walk.