There are things that every American wants to do when they visit England, with good reason. Everyone should see Buckingham Palace, the Tower of London tour is a don’t-miss and you have to take tea somewhere of course.
But outside of London, during spring, there is another activity that I’ve done with several American friends and they all love it (as do I): Point to point horseraces.
Point to points are steeplechases that got their name because they would take place from one church steeple to another – from one point of a steeple to another.
You drive onto a farmer’s field, set up your picnic blanket or table, then break out the fizz and food. In one area of the field, the horses parade round a ring before races, you can place bets and buy food & drink. As the races are announced, everyone walks out to the track and watches the horses and riders go two times around the track, leaping over jumps made of branches.
In Texas, we know this particular activity — eating al fresco before a big sporting event — as tail-gating. We drive the truck to the stadium parking lot, unload the barbecue grill then fix hot dogs and drink beer on the tarmac. It’s fun, but I’ve grown to love this British version as much if not more!
We often visit the point-to-point at Siddington. It supports the local hunt, the Vale of the White Horse. Some people have a deep aversion to the tradition and practice of fox-hunting and what it stands for. I’ve never been on a fox hunt but the point-to-point is a brilliant opportunity to see beautiful horses, meet the hounds and be steeped in the culture of countryside and equestrian pursuits. (Note that all hunts these days are required by law to do drag hunting — where a scent trail is laid down and that is what the dogs follow.)
Meeting the hounds
One of the highlights for me is to arrive early enough to see the parading of the dogs, I mean hounds. Hunt members bring the them to the enclosure and attendees can get inside to pet and walk among them. These animals are to normal house pets what on Olympiad is to your average 3 times a week gym-goer. They’re tall, muscled and sleek, like mini horses themselves.
From that point, you browse the stands selling everything from wellies and oiled jackets to baskets and dog accessories. The bookies are lined up, the odds for the upcoming race entries chalked on their small free-standing boards. You place a bet and grab a drink or something to eat from the food tents. That is, if you haven’t packed a picnic.
But you have packed a picnic. By god, you have.
The importance of a perfect picnic at a point-to-point
You have your proper wicker picnic baskets, silverware, folding tables and cloths. We’ve seen families drinking their wine out of silver goblets. Others sip champagne from cut glass flutes.
We like to pack some staples. My mother in law makes a fabulous poachers roll (here’s a good poachers roll recipe from Waitrose), and I also like a good coronation chicken, served with crackers, bread or just salad. Around that we pack sliced chorizo, pate, a good blue cheese, maybe a cake or two, fruit and Champagne or wine. (The beer drinkers like to get theirs from the beer tent, which often has interesting micro brews and provides an excuse to wander round the field.)
Dressing right for a point-to-point
What I love best about point-to-points is the combination of outdoorsy pursuits and British country style. Sweaters drape over shoulders, men sport red trousers and bright yellow socks, tweed is in abundance. Usually everyone wears wellies, especially since you’re parked in a field and often the ground is wet and muddy. Sometimes you get dry weather, where the field is flooded with sunlight and the day is glorious. Either way, the dress code always ends up being rather smart, with people weather hats adorned with jaunty feathers, gorgeous cashmere scarfs and layers that you can put on or shed, depending on whether the sun has gone behind some clouds.
How do you find a point-to-point?
The point-to-point season runs from November until June. It’s the kind of event that most visitors would never hear of, but it’s become one of the highlights of my year. We invite American friends every year. In my books it’s a don’t-miss. It’s the perfect opportunity to plan an overnight stay in the country, booking into a pub with rooms or a nice boutique hotel. After a day outside eating and drinking, it’s lovely to warm up with a cup of tea or unwind with a cold drink, then have supper with friends. As they say at the hunt, Tally ho!
For more information and to find a point-to-point near you:
Read more:
Best British gifts to give Americans
Pin for later!
Fantastic account! Lapped up all of this (but not in a silver goblet). Funny how people are dressed so casually yet drinking champers in the midst of poopy fields. In all my 15 years in London I did not go to a point to point so it’s been lovely “attending” this one.
I’d never even heard of a point-to-point before I moved here, but now they’re among my favourite things. Next time you’re in the country definitely try to go.
Great account of the event! But Jen i think your point-to-point experience is a bit more posh (or perhaps more ‘southern’) than the ones I’ve been to! The first one I attended was in Northumberland, hosted by the Percy Hunt and although the Percy’s are amongst the wealthiest aristocrats in the country, the hunt was very down to earth, muddy land rovers, no bookies, no stalls selling stuff but people did bring fairly decent hampers–even if they drank wine from slightly less shiny goblets… 🙂 Like you I love going to things you’d only find here, it’s fun experiencing these unique aspects of the host culture!!!