Cheltenham Racecourse
The Home of National Hunt Racing
Located in Prestbury Park, Cheltenham Racecourse became the established venue for National Hunt racing in 1911 and is best known for hosting the prestigious Cheltenham Festival and many other revered race meetings.
Cheltenham Racecourse provides the ideal setting to enjoy high-class racing throughout the season. The Racecourse stretches over 350-acres and is known for its natural amphitheatre style environment, ensuring racegoers have an exceptional racing experience. Whether you’re a horse racing fanatic or seeking a fun day out with friends and family, there is something for everyone at Cheltenham Racecourse.
Over the last two centuries, the number of spectators that descend upon the Cheltenham Racecourse has increased by the thousands, with the Cheltenham Festival being the Racecourse’s main event.
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Travelling to Cheltenham Racecourse
Please use the map provided for further information.
How do I get to Cheltenham Racecourse by car?
The journey from London to Cheltenham takes approximately two hours and an hour from Birmingham or Bristol. Traffic to the Racecourse can build up quickly during peak times, so give yourself ample travelling time when visiting and leaving to attend racing at Cheltenham.
Your parking label is colour coded and will correspond to the colour of your parking zone.
Directions from the M5 heading north:
Exit the M5 at Junction 11:
Follow the A40 towards Cheltenham. At the first roundabout (Arle Court), take the third exit. Take the first exit following signs to Cheltenham Racecourse (Princess Elizabeth Way), continuing to follow signs for Bishops Cleeve and Park & Ride. Take the second exit towards Bishops Cleeve at the PC World/McDonalds roundabout.
Directions from the M5 heading south:
Exit the M5 at Junction 10:
Follow the A4019 towards Cheltenham, then take the 1st exit onto Kingsditch Lane at the McDonald’s roundabout. At the following roundabout, take the 2nd exit onto Swindon Road, turn left onto Windyridge Road and then take the 2nd exit onto Swindon Lane. Head straight over the next two roundabouts to enter Cheltenham Racecourse.
Pick up and Drop off
For The Festival, the pickup and drop off area can be found at the bottom of the West Car Park. Please follow the signage. This is about a 5-minute walk from the gates.
How do I get to Cheltenham Racecourse by train?
Trains from London to Cheltenham Spa station tend to run every hour and take about two hours. Trains from Birmingham run approximately every thirty minutes and can take anywhere between 35-50 minutes. From Bristol, trains leave every hour and take about 35 minutes. Cheltenham Spa station is a ten-minute drive to the Racecourse, or a bus will take you directly there.
How do I get to Cheltenham Racecourse by bus?
Stagecoach service D runs every 10 minutes during the day on Monday to Saturday evenings. The service runs hourly on Sundays.
Service 527 also provides a regular service from Cheltenham Centre to Bishops Cleeve and Gotherington via the Racecourse Roundabout.
A shuttle bus service will be operating at The Festival, picking up racegoers from Cheltenham Spa Railway Station and outside WHSmith in the centre of town before dropping them off at Cheltenham Racecourse. Return buses pick up from the Racecourse with stops at Pittville Street and the Station.
- Return from Station – £5
- Single from Station – £3
- Single from Town – £2.50
- Single from Racecourse – £2.50
Please read our travel guide for further guidance.
Cheltenham Racecourse FAQs
How are bets accepted at Cheltenham races?
Credit/debit card bets are not acceptable for betting facilities on site. Therefore, it is advisable to bring cash for racing at Cheltenham.
Cash points are situated around the Racecourse near the Centaur entrance, Best Mate Enclosure, and the Hall of Fame.
Is parking available at Cheltenham races?
Parking is free at Cheltenham Racecourse except for Friday and Saturday of The November Meeting and all four days of The Festival. The venue does not allow guests to stay overnight in the car parks.
Can I bring a bag to Cheltenham races?
We recommend that guests leave their luggage and belongings at home or their hotel. However, security will search bags on entry if guests choose to do so.
Are dogs allowed at Cheltenham races?
Dogs are not permitted within the Racecourse, outside of guide dogs.
Cheltenham Racecourse Hospitality
Eventmasters are proud to provide official Cheltenham Racecourse hospitality packages as the best horses from the UK and Ireland battle it out on the iconic Cheltenham turg. Experience the Cheltenham Festival in VIP style with our range of corporate facilities, including Silks Restaurant and The Venue for all major racing events at Cheltenham Racecourse.
Enjoy the very best hospitality at Cheltenham Racecourse with our wide range of VIP hospitality options. Guests can enjoy a Private box experience like no other, though there are plenty of exclusive facilities to choose from to ensure a first-class hospitality experience.
Cheltenham Racecourse is one of the most prestigious courses in the world. Set in the gorgeous Prestbury Park, it hosts the Cheltenham Festival in March. Also famous for its ‘roar’, the atmosphere at Cheltenham is simply electric. Cheltenham Racecourse hospitality facilities are also as you’d expect; superb, with restaurants, private boxes and marquees available.
Watch our exclusive interview with legendary jockey Steve Smith Eccles
Discover More at Cheltenham Racecourse
Cheltenham Racecourse History
In 1815, on Nottingham Hill, the first official horse race at Cheltenham took place during the first flat meeting. Three years later, racing was also introduced on Cleeve Hill, surrounding Prestbury Park. Over time, horse racing grew in popularity, with 30,000 people attending the annual two-day July meeting, which featured the old Gold Cup, a 3m flat race. Due to the main grandstand burning down, racing at Cheltenham moved to Prestbury Park in 1831. Steeplechasing began in Andoversford in 1834 and was later relocated to the current track in 1898, now recognised as Jumps racing headquarters.
The Racecourse Holdings Trust (now widely known as the Jockey Club) was established in 1964 to ensure the future of racing at Cheltenham. The Jockey Club currently owns 14 racecourses, including Newmarket, Lambourn, Epsom and the National Stud, including jump, flat, dual-purpose and training grounds. It reinvests all proceeds back into British racing to assure the group’s future success. The Best Mate Enclosure, right in the heart of the Racecourse, received a £3 million investment between 2003 and 2004, offering a new grandstand with the best views of the racing. £17 million was invested in The Centaur, Cheltenham’s biggest venue and news conference facilities.
Cheltenham Horse Races
Cheltenham Racecourse plays host to highlighted racing throughout the Cheltenham horse race season. There’s a whole range of meetings to experience, from novice racing and trials to the renowned Cheltenham Festival. Racing events throughout the season include:
• Cheltenham New Year’s Day Meeting
• Festival Trials Day
• Cheltenham Festival
• Cheltenham April Meeting
• Cheltenham Hunter Chase Meeting
• Cheltenham Showcase Meeting
• Cheltenham November Meeting
• Cheltenham International Meeting
Experience the Cheltenham Roar in true style as you enjoy a race day like no other at this prestigious racing venue.
More Events at Cheltenham Racecourse
Coral World Grand Prix – Snooker
Fancy a game of snooker? Horse racing is not the only sporting event to enjoy at Cheltenham. The Centaur will be hosting the Coral World Grand Prix at Cheltenham and runs from the 3rd-9th February. This event brings together some of the greatest snooker players in the UK for an event like no other.
Junior Jumpers Membership
For little horse racing enthusiasts, the Junior Jumpers Memberships are a perfect way for local children to enjoy sports. The membership is exclusive to the following venues:
• Cheltenham
• Exeter
• Wincanton
• Warwick
Little members can enjoy exclusive access and activities designed to enhance their love of horse racing. What a great initiative to get young people involved with sport!
Wychwood Festival
100 musicians will perform over four stages at the UK’s most popular family festival, including over 100 workshops for all ages. Sophie Ellis-Bextor, Deacon Blue, Peter Hook & The Light, Boney M, The Undertones, The South, Dreadzone, and many others will be performing at the Cheltenham Racecourse.
Cheltenham Racecourse News
The Cheltenham Festival starts with Champion Day before coming to the culmination of a four-day romp through high-class entertainment and hospitality with Gold Cup Day.
Impressive horse racing is not the only racing event at Cheltenham Racecourse. Home to The Centaur, one of the largest venues in the South West of England. Concerts, conferences and comedy shows have all been enjoyed here, ensuring an unforgettable experience.
Stay up to date with the latest Cheltenham horse race news and racing events.
