Heading to Cheltenham Races? Perhaps it’s your first time as a race goer, or you’re simply looking for tips to making the most of race day. As a Cheltonian, I’m very familiar with the races, racecourse, and the best tips for making the most of your day. Read on for my guide to Cheltenham Races.
About Cheltenham Races
Cheltenham Races began back in 1815 in their infancy, with the races soon moving to Cleeve Hill. They soon exploded in popularity with over 30,000 racegoers meeting in July for the Gold Cup. Today, there are various races throughout the year from New Year’s Day to the November meeting.
Cheltenham Festival is the most famous series of races, comprising Gold Cup Day in March. There are over 28 races across four days, and prize money on offer of over £4million. Over 250,000 racegoers attend Cheltenham Races each year to join in the fun and festivities.
Where are Cheltenham Races?
Cheltenham Races are held at Cheltenham Racecourse on Evesham Road in Prestbury Park. The racecourse offers some of the best jumping action in the world within the 350 acres at the bottom of the Cotswold hills.
When are Cheltenham Races on?
There are various meets throughout the season, with The Festival the most popular of the meets. Here’s the official fixture list for 2020:
New Year’s Day
Wednesday 1st January, 2020
Festival Trials Day
Saturday 25th January, 2020
The Festival (Gold Cup)
Tuesday 10th – Friday 13th March, 2020
The April Meeting
Wednesday 15th & Thursday 16th April, 2020
Race Night featuring Hunter Chase Racing
Friday 1st May, 2020
What to wear to Cheltenham Races?
It very much depends on the race meeting you’re going to. Cheltenham has an iconic look among the meetings, mainly because of the season the racing is held meaning the weather is unpredictable. The country set that Cheltenham Races attract also has an influence on the fashion. Here’s a rough guide on what to wear to Cheltenham Races:
- Dress for warmth – elegant layering with polo necks, jackets, and smart overcoats on top ensure practicality.
- Suits for men –
- Country clothing – think brown and green colours, plenty of fur and tweed.
- Chic shoes – women should always opt for stylish boots over shoes, and knee-high styles are particularly popular.
- Accessorise – many racegoers choose to wear a hat, from fedoras to berets, to fur hats. Accessorising with pearls and fur is another popular choice.
- Colour for Ladies Day – on Ladies Day of the festival, women may bring a little more vibrancy, with more colour, and extra accessories like feathers.
Who goes to Cheltenham Races?
Over 250,000 people attend the four-day Gold Cup Festival in March, with over 70,000 on Gold Cup Day itself. As well as fun-loving punters, many celebrities attend each year. You’ll find anyone from the likes of Alex Ferguson, Liz Hurley, Jamie Redknapp, and Carol Vorderman in the crowd. Royalty are always a huge fan of Cheltenham Races. The Duchess of Cornwall, the Duchess of Cambridge, and Zara and Mike Tindall are all regulars to Cheltenham.
Where to stay for Cheltenham Races
Cheltenham has an amazing choice of hotels and accommodation, with some luxurious properties all over the town. Here are some of the best:
- Ellenborough Park – luxurious country hotel connected to the Racecourse via a private road.
- No. 38 The Park – an elegant Cheltenham townhouse that’s close to the Racecourse and home to the award-winning restaurant, Prithvi.
- Queens Hotel – an iconic building on Cheltenham’s Promenade that has recently undergone refurbishment.
- Hotel 131 – indulgent hotel on Cheltenham’s Promenade with boutique rooms, onsite luxury restaurant and bar.
- Malmaison – a Regency property in Cheltenham’s town centre near the beautiful Montpellier Gardens with a relaxing bar and conservatory.
For more ideas, check out my guide to Cheltenham.
Where’s the best breakfast before Cheltenham Races?
We all need the right sustenance before a busy day of racing, and tradition has it you need to fuel up properly before Cheltenham Races. Whether you’re after a full on fryup or a healthier brunch alongside your Guinness, don’t forget to book ahead. Here are some of the best places for breakfast in Cheltenham:
- Woodkraft – an artisan restaurant owned by MasterChef winner, Simon Wood. They serve up tasty favourites like smashed avocado, and full breakfasts with Old Spot sausage and streaky bacon.
- The Fire Station – a stylish venue for grabbing trendy breakfasts before the races while watching live racing throughout the day on the televisions throughout the bar.
- Hotel du Vin – this French establishment offers a slight variation on a theme. Expect delicious brioche French toast, eggs Benedict, and omelettes washed down with Guiness before the races.
- Boston Tea Party – this classic breakfast restaurant serves up something for every racegoer, from bacon baps to pancakes alongside Bloody Marys and mimosas.
- The Ivy Montpellier Brasserie – for a more sophisticated brunch experience, enjoy a champagne breakfast with classics such as the Ivy Full English and organic granola.
For more ideas, check out my guide to Cheltenham.
How to get to Cheltenham Races
If you’re not fancy enough to be arriving via helicopter along with the other celebrities, there’s plenty of choice when it comes to arriving at Cheltenham Racecourse. Here’s how to get to Cheltenham Races:
- Train – trains from London to Cheltenham Spa take around two hours, with trains from Bristol and Birmingham each taking around forty minutes. From Cheltenham Spa station, it’s a ten minute taxi ride to Cheltenham Racecourse, or there’s a bus that goes directly.
- Car – racegoers can pre-pay for onsite parking. There is also a couple of fast charge electric vehicle charging points near the Hall of Fame entrance.
- Bus – there’s a dedicated rail service on race days, operating between Cheltenham Spa train station, Cheltenham town centre, and the Racecourse.
- Pick up and drop offs – there are signs to the Green car park for the November Meeting and the Festival (Gold Cup). This is ideal for picking up and dropping off. On other race days, there’s a drop off and pick up map.
Which tickets to get for Cheltenham Races
There are various enclosures available for tickets to Cheltenham Racecourse for each of the race days.
Club Enclosure
In Club, you have access to all public areas and great views from the main grandstand and Winning Post. You can also see the Hall of Hame, and get close to horses and jockeys in the Parade Ring.
Tattersalls Enclosure
A middle ground between Club and the Best Mate Enclosures. Here, you get to be close to the Winners’ Enclosure, and right near the Winning Post. The best bit is the view from the Tattersalls grandstand viewing steps across the racecourse and the Cotswold countryside.
Best Mate Enclosure
The cheapest available tickets, there’s an excellent atmosphere in this enclosure. There are some great views of the horse racing thanks to its position directly opposite the grandstand. It’s also right next to the finish line, guaranteeing a great position at a good value price.
The following tickets are available for the March Festival (Gold Cup) alone.
Guinness Grandstand
During the Festival in March only, the acclaimed Guinness Village adds an extension onto the Tattersalls Enclosure. There are additional steps for viewing, bars, bands, and entertainment.
The Park
Brand new for 2020, you’ll find the Park as part of the Club and Tattersalls Enclosure. Here, there’s entertainment and live music all day long, with bars showing the racing and an all round great atmosphere. Each day will feature a 90 minute DJ set from celebrities including Nick Grimshaw and Laura Whitmore.
The Orchard Pods
Brand new exclusively for 2020, racegoers can now rent a private pod in the Orchard for up to 12-20 guests. There’s a private balcony in each and relaxed dining. The Orchard itself will offer a live DJ, shopping and a great atmosphere while guests enjoy the world class racing.
Private Boxes
If a pod doesn’t offer quite enough luxury, look to a private box. Guests will receive all the luxury and convenience you could need for a great day at the races. Each can accommodate up to fifty guests, with various packages on offer.
Panoramic Restaurant
The perfect spot for enjoying a delicious meal while catching the racing with a great view of the racecourse and Cotswold hills. Located on the fifth level of the grandstand that overlooks the Winning Post, you can enjoy a table for the day, refreshments, and a five course a la carte dinner.
The Festival Lounge
This is an add-on for the Club Enclosure, and includes an additional bar with spirits and bottled beers, refreshments, betting areas, and live racing. It’s a comfortable hangout for a day of racing.
Where to go at Cheltenham Races
Aside from the main event, there are various areas to explore throughout Cheltenham Racecourse during the races. Here are some of the highlights:
- Guinness Village. Whether it’s New Year’s Day or Gold Cup Day, you’re guaranteed to be entertained at the Guinness Village. Grab a pint and enjoy the buzzing atmosphere of Cheltenham Races along with live music. Often there’s a contemporary Irish folk band to add a little extra fun into the mix.
- The Centaur. A large hub within Cheltenham Racecourse, the Centaur often plays host to live music to continue the party vibe.
- Family Fun Zone. Complimentary family entertainment is offered on New Year’s Day racing in the Club/Tattersalls enclosure. This includes everything from inflatables, facepainting, entertainers, rosette making and horseracing themed colouring in to live shows.
- The Park. New for 2020, The Park is an addition for The Festival (Gold Cup) week. There’s live music and entertainment all day of the races, with a 90 minute DJ set from the likes of Nick Grimshaw and Laura Whitmore. Don’t miss the Ferris wheel, the Magners bar, and street food for an extra special day at the races.
- The Orchard. Exclusively for Club Enclosure ticket holders is The Orchard. A luxury experience, there are some high-end brands like Bentley, Boodles, and Nyetimber along with a live DJ.
- The Shopping Village. With over seventy bespoke stands for Cheltenham fashion and shopping, it’s a must-visit. Located in the Club and Tattersalls Enclosures, there’s everything from couture bags and bespoke tailoring to hats and artwork on offer.
Where to eat at Cheltenham Racecourse
Once you’ve bought your Cheltenham Races tickets, it’s time to work out where and what to eat. There’s pretty much something for everyone. In the Club and Tattersalls Enclosures, you’ll find various restaurants and food stands. While they vary a little from race meeting to race meeting, you’ll usually find fish and chips, hog roasts, burgers, pizzas, and so on. There’s something for every palette as well as plenty of flowing drinks.
If you’re looking for something a little more indulgent, there are plenty of dining and hospitality packages available. Whether you’re looking for a restaurant within Cheltenham Racecourse, or a private box that overlooks the finish, there’s so much choice. The food is great, with dishes using local produce all served with finesse. Choose from restaurants like the Moscow Flyer for its great atmosphere near the Guinness Village, to the prestigious Chez Roux, hosted by Michelin star chef Albert Roux.
Where to watch Cheltenham Races
If you’re not able to travel to Cheltenham Races this year, don’t worry because there are plenty of ways to catch the races. The Festival is typically broadcast on Channel 4 throughout each day, meaning you won’t miss a gallop. Bars throughout Cheltenham will be airing the Races live for any days you won’t be there, as well as throughout the UK and beyond.
Restaurants for after Cheltenham Racecourse
Even the most committed of gamblers and racegoers will work up and appetite after a day at Cheltenham Races. You’ll likely be looking for somewhere to book a special dinner after all of those winnings. Be sure to book in advance to avoid any disappointment. Here are some of my recommendations for the best restaurants in Cheltenham:
- The Tavern – not far from Cheltenham’s leafy Promenade, the Tavern dishes up heart dishes for all appetites. Tuck into classic juicy burgers and mac ‘n’ cheese to slow cooked beef shin lasagne and pork ribs.
- The Daffodil – an elegant Art Deco establishment in Cheltenham’s chic Montpellier area. Expect classic European dishes from chateaubriand to grilled Scottish salmon or roast pork belly.
- Curry Corner – for a critically-acclaimed Indian meal after a day of racing, look no further. Having served up dishes to the likes of Richard Branson and Gordon Ramsay, sample classics like chilli lamb.
- Chez Mal Brasserie – head to Montpellier for classic dishes blended with French style. Here, you can enjoy delicious post-racing meals like turkey ballotine, pan-fried sea bass fillets, and cote du boeuf.
- The Railway – located in a popular independent pub, the Railway has had Cheltonians discussing its food for years. Serving up Thai style barbecue, enjoy dishes from roast duck to crispy sea bream.
For more ideas, check out my guide to Cheltenham.
Bars for after Cheltenham Races
Looking to continue the festivities of Cheltenham Races into the night? Of course you are. Cheltenham has a great choice of bars and nightlife spots, so you won’t be left feeling disappointed. Many venues offer extended licenses throughout Cheltenham Races dates too. Here are some of the best Cheltenham bars:
- The Retreat – Cheltenham’s Retreat is a town classic – a stylish wine bar with decadent red walls. Enjoy drinks with a guaranteed atmosphere after Cheltenham Races, and get ready to party after.
- The Beehive – located in Cheltenham’s glitzy Montpellier district, The Beehive is a traditional pub that serves up a good pint. Enjoy your Guinness in good company at this fun pub.
- John Gordon’s – an independent spirit specialist merchant, John Gordon’s is a classy wine and spirit bar. Serving up a library worthy range of whiskies and gin, you’re in great hands here.
- 21 Club – for a fun-filled evening, head to 21 Club on Cheltenham’s Regent Street for a post-races pint. It serves a generous cocktail list alongside a live DJ each night after the races.
- Montpellier Wine Bar – with a relaxed atmosphere, the wine bar has an impressive range of international wines to choose from, perfect for fuelling a successful evening after Cheltenham Races.
For more ideas, check out my guide to Cheltenham.
There’s my guide to Cheltenham Races! Do you have any other tips? If so, let me know in the comments below.
Leave a Reply