Kelso Racecourse, about a mile north of the town centre, has been hosting National Hunt racing since 1823 when the Duke of Roxburghe prepared the ground at Berry Moss and laid the foundation stone himself. It is a tight, left-handed circuit — not a track for front-runners — and the racing is honest rather than glamorous. It has been voted Britain's friendliest racecourse more than once, which is both a modest claim and a true one.
There are around ten fixtures a year, running from September through to May, with a highlight meeting in March that features Grade 2 hurdle racing. A day at Kelso races is a good day out even for non-regulars: the crowds are local, the atmosphere is unpretentious, and you can get reasonably close to the horses. Admission is cheap compared with the major southern tracks. Check the fixtures calendar on the racecourse website before planning a visit, as the card can change with weather.