Greyhound Racing Near London: Romford, Crayford and More

London lost its last greyhound stadium within the city limits when Wimbledon closed in 2017, and suffered another blow when Crayford shut its doors in January 2025. But the sport has not left the capital’s orbit entirely. Three GBGB-licensed tracks sit within easy reach of Greater London — Romford, Harlow, and Central Park in Sittingbourne — and between them they run fixtures almost every night of the week. If you are looking for greyhound racing near London, the answer is closer than you might think.

Across the UK’s 18 licensed stadiums, the South East has the densest concentration — a legacy of the sport’s deep roots in working-class east London and north Kent. Arena Racing Company reported a 5% increase in greyhound stadium attendance during 2025, and the London-area tracks contributed significantly to that growth. The combination of accessible transport links, regular evening fixtures, and competitive pricing makes these venues a genuine option for a midweek night out or a Saturday evening with friends.

This guide profiles each track within London’s reach, covering how to get there, what to expect, and which venue suits which kind of evening.

Romford Stadium: London’s Premier Greyhound Venue

Romford Greyhound Stadium in Essex is the closest licensed track to central London and the one most often associated with the capital’s greyhound scene. Situated just off the A12, it is roughly a fifteen-minute walk from Romford station, which is served by the Elizabeth line and Greater Anglia services. From Liverpool Street, Stratford, or Canary Wharf, you can be at the stadium in under forty minutes by train.

The track itself is a tight 350-metre circuit that produces fast, competitive racing — the bends are sharp, which rewards inside runners and makes trap bias a significant factor. Romford hosts both BAGS daytime fixtures and regular evening meetings, with open-race cards several times a week. The stadium has a restaurant overlooking the track, a large bar area, and outdoor grandstand seating. Entry is typically £7 on evening race days, and under-18s are admitted for £5.

Romford’s appeal for Londoners is straightforward: it is accessible, it runs frequently, and the atmosphere on a busy Saturday night is as close to the old London greyhound experience as you will find since Wimbledon’s closure. The track has a loyal local following supplemented by visitors from across east London, Essex, and beyond. If you only visit one greyhound track near London, Romford is the default choice.

The schedule is dense. Romford runs fixtures on most days of the week, alternating between BAGS morning and afternoon cards and evening open-race meetings. Checking the GBGB fixture list or the Romford section on a bookmaker app will confirm which nights are running and what time the first race goes off.

Crayford Stadium: A South-East London Legacy Now Lost

Until January 2025, Crayford Stadium in the London Borough of Bexley was the second greyhound track within easy reach of central London. Accessible by train from London Bridge, Charing Cross, and Waterloo East, it served the south-east London and north Kent catchment for nearly four decades. The stadium closed permanently on 19 January 2025 after owner Entain declared the venue no longer financially viable, citing declining attendance and insufficient trainer participation to fill race cards.

Crayford’s closure leaves Romford as the sole GBGB-licensed greyhound track within the M25. For south London residents who once had a natural local option, the loss is significant — Wimbledon closed in 2017, and now Crayford has followed. The dining packages, the compact trackside atmosphere, and the tradition of south-east London greyhound racing are gone. Anyone south of the Thames looking for greyhound racing near London must now travel to Romford, Harlow, or Sittingbourne.

Crayford also carried a degree of symbolic weight. Before Wimbledon closed, south London had two greyhound venues within easy reach. Wimbledon hosted the English Greyhound Derby for over three decades before its site was sold for redevelopment. Crayford carried the tradition forward as the nearest equivalent south of the Thames — smaller, quieter, but keeping the sport alive in a part of London with a long racing history. That chapter has now closed.

Within an Hour: Harlow, Sittingbourne, and Surrounds

Beyond Romford, two further tracks are within roughly an hour’s drive of central London, giving the capital’s greyhound fans three active options.

Harlow Greyhound Stadium in Essex sits north-east of London, accessible from the M11 junction 7 or by train to Harlow Town station. The stadium is a short taxi ride from the station. Harlow is a smaller, more local venue than Romford — the crowds are lighter, the atmosphere is more relaxed, and the pricing is competitive. It runs regular evening fixtures and BAGS cards, and it is a good option for visitors from Hertfordshire, north Essex, or the M11 corridor who want greyhound racing near London without fighting through east London traffic. The track also has a loyal community of regulars who follow the local dogs closely, which gives the venue a neighbourhood feel that the bigger London-area stadiums cannot quite match.

Central Park in Sittingbourne, Kent, is the furthest option from central London but still within reach — roughly an hour by car via the M2 or A2. Public transport links are limited, so driving is the practical choice. Central Park offers a more rural, low-key setting that contrasts with the urban feel of Romford and Crayford. The track is well-maintained and runs a regular fixture programme, making it a viable option for anyone in Kent or those who prefer a quieter venue with free parking and no traffic hassle once you arrive.

Between these three tracks — Romford, Harlow, and Central Park — there is greyhound racing near London on almost every night of the week. The choice depends on which direction you are travelling from and what kind of evening you want: bustling and urban at Romford, quiet and local at Harlow, or rural and relaxed at Sittingbourne.

London’s Night at the Dogs

Wimbledon is gone, and now Crayford too, but greyhound racing near London is still running most nights of the week. Romford is the flagship venue and the easiest to reach from central London by public transport. Harlow and Sittingbourne extend the map for those willing to drive a little further from the centre.

Between the three remaining tracks, the London area still offers regular greyhound racing for anyone prepared to travel. Entry prices sit below £10, trains run late enough to get you home after the last race, and the dining packages make a group evening genuinely affordable. For anyone in the capital who has never been to the dogs, the barrier is not distance or cost — it is simply not knowing how close the action is. Now you do.