The racecourse is set in an area of parkland bounded by the towns of Haydock to the west, Ashton-in-Makerfield to the north, Golborne to the east and Newton-le-Willows to the south.

Horse racing had been run in Newton for many years (the great racemare Queen of Trumps won at Newton in 1836),[2] and the venue was also used for hare coursing in the 1880s.

Much of the course's early development was overseen by Sydney Sandon, who served as course secretary, chairman and managing director in the early 20th century.

[4] The track is a mostly flat left-handed oval of around 1 mile 5 furlongs with a slight rise on the four and a half furlong run-in.

The facilities include a champagne bar and has an airstrip that can be used as a small airport for light aircraft.