Kempton Park at Sunbury-on-Thames in Surrey is barely 16 miles from central London and minutes from Heathrow. It is best known for the King George VI Chase on Boxing Day, one of the great steeplechases, and for its lively floodlit all-weather evening meetings.

This guide covers the course’s history, its big days, the experience and how to get there.

A short history of the course

Kempton opened in 1878 and has long combined quality jump racing with innovation — today it hosts a floodlit all-weather flat track alongside its famous chase course.

The big meeting: the King George VI Chase

The King George VI Chase on Boxing Day is the highlight, a championship three-mile chase that has crowned many of the sport’s greatest staying chasers. Through the year, the floodlit Friday-night meetings draw a relaxed after-work crowd.

The course & the experience

Kempton is a right-handed course with a separate all-weather track, and a dedicated raceday railway station beside it. Its proximity to Heathrow and the M3 makes it one of the easiest courses to reach.

The wider racing calendar

The Boxing Day festival is the showpiece, with floodlit all-weather meetings and family fixtures right through the year.

Getting to Kempton Park

Kempton Park sits about 16 miles from central London, postcode TW16 5AQ, reached via the M3 and A308.

By road

From London it is the M3 to Junction 1 and the A308; Heathrow is just a few miles away. Official car parks should be pre-booked for the big meetings and fill early, and the queue to leave after the last race is the worst part of the day.

By train

The on-course Kempton Park station serves racedays, with Sunbury close by, around 35 minutes from London Waterloo — then a short walk to the gate.

By air, and the private-hire alternative

For visitors arriving by air, Kempton Park is reachable from Heathrow and Heathrow among others. Rather than gamble on a shuttle queue or rideshare surge when the crowd leaves at once, a fixed-fare transfer to Kempton Park collects you at the door, drops as close to the gate as permitted and has a driver arranged for the exit.

The calm way to do race day

Fixed-price, pre-booked transfers to Kempton Park (TW16 5AQ) — executive cars for couples, MPVs and minibuses for groups, no surge and no late-night premium. Your driver is allocated when you book and set down as close to the gate as the traffic plan allows, with the pickup arranged in advance for the exit.

Get a fixed Kempton Park fare

Practical race-day tips

  • Wrap up for Boxing Day. The King George is mid-winter — dress warm.
  • Sort the exit. A pre-arranged pickup beats the Boxing Day queue.
  • Floodlit nights are great value. A relaxed, well-priced evening out.
  • Go as a group. One minibus is cheaper per head and keeps everyone together.

Frequently asked questions

Where is Kempton Park and what’s the postcode?
It’s at Sunbury-on-Thames, Surrey, about 16 miles from central London and minutes from Heathrow. The sat-nav postcode is TW16 5AQ, off the M3.
When is the King George VI Chase?
On Boxing Day, 26 December, each year. Floodlit evening meetings run throughout the year.
Is there a station at Kempton Park?
Yes — the on-course Kempton Park station serves racedays, about 35 minutes from London Waterloo, then a short walk.
How far is it from London and Heathrow?
About 16 miles and 35 minutes from central London via the M3, and only around 7 miles from Heathrow.
Can the driver wait for the exit?
Yes — a same-day return keeps your driver on hand for the journey home.