Weekend travel break of racing and retail therapy opens in York
11/05/2010
Those looking for a UK weekend travel break which combines the thrill of racing with the buzz of retail therapy are advised to pencil Friday 14th May into their diary, as the prestigious horse racing season opens in picturesque York.The weekend marks the climax to the first race meet of 2010 at York Racecourse - the Dante Festival -allowing visitors to fuse the drama of the races with the unique shopping experience offered in York's beautiful historic surroundings.
The Dante Festival launches the race season in York, with other highlights including the 40th Macmillan Charity Meeting in June (11th-12th) and the Welcome to Yorkshire Ebor Festival in August (17th - 20th), which is regarded as the jewel in the crown within Yorkshire's hectic race calendar.
With York racecourse just a short 15 minute walk from the city centre, an added bonus for racegoers who have an eye for a bargain is the new Shopping Passport launched by tourism agency, Visit York which offers over £70 worth of exclusive shopping vouchers and discounts in the city.
The passports can be downloaded for free at http://www.shopandthecity.org/ or are available from the Visit York Information Centre - allowing visitors to York to access discounts ranging from 15 per cent off at L.K. Bennett of London to 25 per cent off a luxury hand and nail pampering session at Nail Bar One.
Gillian Cruddas, Chief Executive of Visit York, said: "York offers visitors the chance to enjoy a weekend break which combines two of the nation's favourite passions - shopping and the chance to have a flutter at the races. We hope to encourage visitors to enjoy the races and make sure they buy their outfit here before they go using our great value shopping vouchers."
James Brennan, Head of Marketing and Sponsorship at York Racecourse, said "All of our race meetings from May to October include a Friday, Saturday or Sunday so offer the chance to take in more of York during your visit. Many people treat coming to the races as a special occasion and so dress to impress. In a compact city like York they can find an outfit in the morning and still be here in time for lunch and the first race".
As well as recently receiving a Google Street View Award for the most picturesque street in Britain (for the Shambles), York offers a diverse and vibrant mix of exclusive boutiques and independent retailers - perfect for picking up that last-minute outfit for the races. Stores such as Sarah Coggles, Selkie, Karen Millen and The Hat Company offer a wealth of choice for Ladies Day on the 19th August, whilst tailors such as RooDduke cater for men.
It has never been easier for visitors to travel to York, with the city providing strong bus and rail links and park and ride services. A shuttle bus also operates on race day for added convenience.
For further information on tickets and York Racecourse's summer calendar of events, log on to http://www.yorkracecourse.co.uk/. To receive a Shopping Passport, simply download it for free from http://www.shopanthecity.org/ or collect it from the Visit York Information Centre in Exhibition Square.
The passports are provided by Visit York as part of its 2010 Shop and the City campaign which is supported by the City of York Council York Designer Outlet.
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