The short answer
The Betfred Derby Festival at Epsom Downs runs on Friday 4 and Saturday 5 June 2027, and the racecourse helipad operates on race days only. From central London the flight takes about 10 to 15 minutes, against about 32 minutes by car. Landings are booked in advance, subject to landing permission, and guests show race-day tickets.
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Key facts
- Event
- Betfred Derby Festival, Epsom Downs Racecourse, Epsom Downs, Surrey
- Usual month
- The first weekend in June
- 2027 dates
- Friday 4 June (Ladies Day, with the Oaks) and Saturday 5 June (Derby Day) 2027, as published by the Jockey Club; check with the organiser before you book
- Where we land
- The racecourse helipad in the centre of the course; race days only, not outside the Derby Festival
- Central London to Epsom
- About 10 to 15 minutes by helicopter; about 32 minutes by car in free-flowing traffic
- Gatwick or Heathrow to Epsom
- About 10 to 15 minutes by helicopter
- Redhill to Epsom
- About 7.5 nautical miles; our head office is at Redhill Aerodrome
- Tickets
- Race-day tickets are shown on arrival
The nearest landing site
Epsom Downs Racecourse Helipad is the site we plan around for this event. Permission and times are confirmed with your booking.
The map draws a satellite picture, so it needs JavaScript and an internet connection. Epsom Downs Racecourse Helipad is at Epsom Downs Racecourse, Epsom Downs, Epsom, Surrey. Open it in Google Maps.
Epsom Downs Racecourse Helipad
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Epsom Downs Racecourse Helipad
- Address
- Epsom Downs Racecourse, Epsom Downs, Epsom, Surrey
- Hours as published (checked 29 Sept 2026)
- Race days only – Ladies Day (Friday) and Derby Day (Saturday) of the Derby Festival, first weekend in June
- Permission
- Prior permission required (PPR): we arrange it with your flight
Race-day tickets must be shown on arrival. Landings booked and briefed in advance through the helipad company – arranged by Charter-A with your flight.
Map position is approximate.
Helicopter charter SurreyOfficial websiteOpen in Google Maps
How do you arrive at the Derby by helicopter?
Helicopter charter to Epsom is the shortest of the Derby-week journeys from central London.
You land at the racecourse helipad, which sits in the centre of the course and is open on the two race days of the Derby Festival. It is not available outside those days. Landings are booked and briefed in advance, and we arrange your slot with your booking. Landing is subject to landing permission and site suitability.
On arrival an official from the helipad team escorts you to a private enclosure before you walk or are driven to the stands. When you leave you go directly to the helipad and avoid the crowds on the Downs. Race-day tickets must be shown on arrival.
The Derby is a day of many thousands of guests, so traffic on the Downs is slow. That is what the helicopter solves, and why the flight is worth more here than the short distance suggests.
Journey times to Epsom Downs Racecourse Helipad
Typical helicopter times against the car from the nearest cities, taken from our route data.
| To | Distance | Helicopter | By road | Typical saving |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| London | 10 nm (12 mi) | 10 to 15 min | 32 min (16 mi) | 19 min |
| London Gatwick | 10 nm (12 mi) | 10 to 15 min | 32 min (21 mi) | 19 min |
| London Heathrow | 12 nm (14 mi) | 10 to 15 min | 40 min (29 mi) | 27 min |
| Ascot Racecourse | 17 nm (19 mi) | 15 to 15 min | 41 min (30 mi) | 26 min |
| Goodwood | 33 nm (38 mi) | 20 to 25 min | 1 h 15 min (53 mi) | 52 min |
| Southampton | 47 nm (54 mi) | 25 to 30 min | 1 h 26 min (72 mi) | 58 min |
| Oxford | 51 nm (58 mi) | 25 to 35 min | 1 h 32 min (72 mi) | 1 h 02 min |
| Silverstone | 54 nm (62 mi) | 30 to 35 min | 1 h 50 min (91 mi) | 1 h 17 min |
| Cambridge | 56 nm (64 mi) | 30 to 35 min | 1 h 57 min (95 mi) | 1 h 24 min |
| Newmarket Racecourse | 61 nm (70 mi) | 30 to 40 min | 1 h 56 min (99 mi) | 1 h 21 min |
| Cheltenham Racecourse | 77 nm (88 mi) | 40 to 45 min | 2 h 16 min (107 mi) | 1 h 33 min |
| Birmingham | 88 nm (101 mi) | 40 to 55 min | 2 h 27 min (126 mi) | 1 h 39 min |
| Bristol | 92 nm (106 mi) | 45 to 55 min | 2 h 39 min (127 mi) | 1 h 49 min |
| Norwich | 100 nm (115 mi) | 45 to 60 min | 3 h 05 min (153 mi) | 2 h 12 min |
| Cardiff | 116 nm (133 mi) | 55 to 65 min | 3 h 18 min (165 mi) | 2 h 18 min |
| Manchester | 143 nm (165 mi) | 65 to 80 min | 4 h 12 min (207 mi) | 2 h 59 min |
| Liverpool | 154 nm (177 mi) | 70 to 85 min | 4 h 17 min (225 mi) | 2 h 59 min |
| York Racecourse | 161 nm (186 mi) | 70 to 90 min | 4 h 16 min (231 mi) | 2 h 56 min |
| Leeds | 162 nm (186 mi) | 70 to 90 min | 4 h 23 min (228 mi) | 3 h 03 min |
| Aintree Racecourse | 163 nm (188 mi) | 70 to 90 min | 4 h 19 min (233 mi) | 2 h 59 min |
| Newcastle | 230 nm (264 mi) | 1 h 40 min to 2 h 05 min | 6 h 05 min (315 mi) | 4 h 12 min |
Helicopter figures are typical block times: distance at 135 knots plus 8 minutes, shown as a range. Road figures are free-flowing road times, a floor that real journeys rarely beat. Distances are in a straight line. Figures from our UK route data, checked 29 Sep 2026.
Friday or Saturday?
The Derby Festival has two days, and they suit different guests.
- Friday 4 June 2027, Ladies Day: the Oaks is the feature race.
- Saturday 5 June 2027, Derby Day: the Betfred Derby is run at 4:00 pm according to the Jockey Club. This is the day most corporate parties choose, and the one that sells out first.
Racecourse times can change, so we confirm them nearer the date. Derby Day is a long afternoon, so plan your return slot to follow the last race, allowing for crowds and take-off restrictions around the races.
Where to depart from
Epsom is so close to London that the departure point matters more than the flight. These are the typical helicopter times to Epsom from our route data, with the free-flowing car time.
- Central London (Battersea): about 10 to 15 minutes, 32 minutes by car. See Battersea.
- Gatwick: about 10 to 15 minutes, 32 minutes by car.
- Heathrow: about 10 to 15 minutes, 40 minutes by car.
- Ascot: about 15 minutes.
- Goodwood: about 20 to 25 minutes.
- Southampton: about 25 to 30 minutes.
- Oxford: about 25 to 35 minutes.
- Birmingham: about 40 to 55 minutes, 2 hours 27 minutes by car.
Popular start points are Battersea, Redhill Aerodrome and Elstree (see Elstree). Redhill is our head office, so if you want a car-to-helicopter start in Surrey, ask about the Redhill page. For central London use our London helicopter transfers page, and see the Battersea guide to the races.
Booking and what to bring
Because the festival is only two days, slots are very limited. Ask for yours as early as you can. We need passenger weights, bags should be soft, and everyone arrives 10 minutes before take-off.
We provide private helicopters to Epsom, or shuttle flights between sites in the Surrey area, for one passenger or eight. Our team monitors the flight throughout the day. If the flight is cancelled because of the weather, you pay nothing. For costs, see the helicopter hire price guides. Compare the other June meeting on the Ascot page or return to horse racing by helicopter.
Frequently asked questions
When is the Epsom Derby in 2027?
The Jockey Club publishes the Derby Festival as Friday 4 and Saturday 5 June 2027, with the Derby on the Saturday. Check with the organiser before you book.
Where do helicopters land at Epsom?
At the racecourse helipad in the centre of the course. It is for race days only. Landing is subject to landing permission and site suitability.
How long is the flight from London to Epsom?
From Battersea about 10 to 15 minutes. By car it is about 32 minutes in free-flowing traffic and far slower on Derby Day.
Do I need race tickets?
Yes. Passengers show their race-day tickets on arrival at the helipad.
Can we land at Epsom outside the Derby?
No, the helipad is for the Derby Festival only. For other days we use a nearby airfield and a car.
Can we leave from Surrey?
Yes. Redhill Aerodrome is about 7.5 nautical miles away, and we can collect from suitable private sites with permission.
