The Betfred Derby Festival 2027 is on Friday 4 and Saturday 5 June at Epsom Downs Racecourse, with the Derby itself run at 4pm on the Saturday, according to The Jockey Club. For racegoers in South Buckinghamshire it is a trip right round the M25 to a hilltop in Surrey, and the final approach, not the motorway, is where the day is won or lost. Here is what to know before you set off.
- 2027 dates: Ladies Day with the Oaks on Friday 4 June, Derby Day on Saturday 5 June; gates open at 11am on both days (provisional timings).
- The official pick-up and drop-off point is Car Park 8, outside the Derby Arms pub.
- From Gerrards Cross the drive is around 75–90 minutes on a normal day, and busier near the course on race days.
When is the Epsom Derby in 2027?
The festival runs over two days. Friday 4 June 2027 is Ladies Day, headlined by the Betfred Oaks at 4pm. Saturday 5 June is Derby Day, with eight races and the Derby at 4pm. Epsom's provisional timings have gates opening at 11am and the first race at 1.30pm on both days, with the last race just before 6pm.
Derby Day draws a big crowd: the racecourse reported more than 28,000 racegoers at the 2026 running, including the King and Queen. That is why the roads around Tattenham Corner fill up well before the first race.
How do you get from Gerrards Cross to Epsom Downs?
By car the drive takes around 75–90 minutes on a normal day. The usual line is the M25 clockwise from Junction 16 near Denham to Junction 9 at Leatherhead, then local roads up to the course at Tattenham Corner Road, Epsom KT18 5LQ. The motorway leg is predictable enough; the pinch point is the climb onto the Downs, where race traffic converges on a few roads.
Epsom asks drivers to follow the yellow AA signs and its own racecourse signage as they get close, rather than a sat nav, so that each car ends up in the right colour-coded car park. The Jockey Club says details of road closures and diversions are published nearer the event.
Where do taxis drop off at the Derby?
The racecourse's travel page names Car Park 8, outside the Derby Arms pub, as the place for pick-up and drop-off. It also asks that passengers do not get in or out of vehicles at the roundabout. Knowing this in advance saves a lot of phone calls at the end of the day, because the Derby Arms is a landmark everyone can find.
When you book our Epsom Derby chauffeur service, we plan the set-down at Car Park 8 and agree a collection time with you before you walk in. If the last race runs late or you want to leave after the Derby, a quick message moves the pick-up.
What are the other ways to reach the course?
Parking is free for everyone across the Derby Festival, though the racecourse recommends arranging it in advance to get the car park you want. Rail is the other main option, and three stations serve the course.
| Option | How it works | Things to plan for |
|---|---|---|
| Train | Tattenham Corner, Epsom and Epsom Downs stations all serve the racecourse | Timetables and extra services are confirmed closer to the event; from South Bucks the journey means crossing London first |
| Shuttle bus | Racecourse shuttles link Epsom railway station with the course, and run back to Epsom town centre after racing | Cash fares on board; check the running times for the year |
| Local bus | Metro Bus routes from Epsom town centre to Tattenham Corner, about three stops | Check race-day timetables with the operator |
| Drive and park | Free parking in colour-coded car parks | Follow event signage, not the sat nav; someone has to drive home |
| Chauffeur or taxi | Set down and collected at Car Park 8 by the Derby Arms | Agree a collection time before you go in |
Rail timetables for the three stations are on National Rail, and extra race-day services are confirmed nearer the time. The open-top bus is a Derby tradition too: the racecourse describes buses and coaches parked along the course as a long-standing part of the day on the Downs.
What time should you leave South Bucks?
For an 11am gate opening, leaving Gerrards Cross, Beaconsfield or the Chalfonts at around 9am is sensible. That covers the normal 75–90 minute drive plus slack for the final approach. If you only want to see the Derby itself at 4pm, a later start is fine, but the roads near the course stay busy all afternoon. Coming home, the crowds leaving after the last race are the slowest part of the day, so some racegoers stay for a drink and let the car parks empty first.
Which enclosure are you in, and does it matter for travel?
It matters for where you walk from, not where the car stops. Epsom offers several enclosures, from the grandstands to the famously lively Hill, and each has its own entrances. Check the racecourse's enclosure guide when you buy tickets, and tell your driver which entrance you will head for, so the walk from Car Park 8 and the meeting point afterwards are both clear.
Is the Derby a good day for a group or a company outing?
It is one of the classic ones. A group of six travels comfortably in a SEAT Alhambra, and up to eight fit in the Ford Tourneo, so nobody has to be the driver. For client hospitality, the booking can go on a corporate account. If the Derby whets your appetite, Royal Ascot follows about ten days later: see our Royal Ascot travel guide.