Charm Park

directions

Point-to-Point:

Directions to stable yard

Stables: Near Wykeham, off A170, 6 miles south west of Scarborough. YO13 9QU

Charm Park has a very distinctive feel, the kind of Yorkshire point‑to‑point course that sits in its own little world on the edge of the Wolds. It’s laid out on open, rolling farmland, and the moment you arrive you notice how exposed it is: long views, big skies, and a track that rises and falls enough to matter. Horses are always travelling on some kind of gradient, and that gives the racing a rhythm that’s different from the flatter, parkland courses like Askham Bryan.

The course is left‑handed and quite galloping, but not in a smooth, uninterrupted way. The back straight has a steady climb that can drain horses who race too freely, and the approach to the fences often feels slightly uphill, which rewards those that jump economically rather than extravagantly. The fences themselves are proper Yorkshire timber, well presented but unforgiving if met wrong. Horses that measure their stride and stay balanced tend to thrive, while those that get in tight or lose shape can lose momentum quickly on the rising ground.

The home straight is long and honest, running slightly downhill before levelling out, which means races often change late. A horse that travels strongly and jumps cleanly can come from off the pace, but front‑runners who get into a rhythm on the climb can be very hard to reel in. It’s a track that suits stayers with a bit of tactical speed, the type that can cope with undulations and still find a gear when the ground eases beneath them on the run‑in.

Charm Park’s atmosphere is one of its great strengths. It feels rural and traditional, with spectators spread along the rails and the surrounding farmland giving it a quiet, timeless backdrop. On windy days it can feel wild and exposed; on still days it’s peaceful and almost pastoral. The crowd is a mix of hunt supporters, farming families, and point‑to‑point regulars who appreciate a course that asks proper questions of horses and riders.

Near Wykeham, off A170, 6 miles south west of Scarborough. YO13 9QU