Cheltenham Racecourse
The Capital of National Hunt Racing
Located in Prestbury Park, Cheltenham Racecourse became the established venue for the National Hunt in 1911 and is best known for hosting the prestigious Cheltenham Festival. As well as many other recognisable Cheltenham Horse Races.
Cheltenham Racecourse is an ideal setting to enjoy high class racing throughout the season. Being a colossal 350-acres, the natural amphitheatre style environment ensures everyone enjoys a racing experience like no other. Whether you’re horse racing fanatic or simply looking for a day out with friends and family, a day at Cheltenham races is always extraordinary, undeniably as 71,000 Cheltenham horse races each year.
Historically, the first organised meeting held at Cheltenham was a flat race in 1815 on Nottingham Hill, with the first races on Cleeve Hill commencing in 1818. Cleeve Hill ran a 3m flat race ran back then which shared the name with the now prestigious Gold Cup. Before long races at Cheltenham soared in popularity, that was until a few town members who saw horse racing as evil burnt the grandstand to the ground! In order to subdue this violent opposition, Cheltenham Racecourse relocated to Prestbury Park in 1831 – it’s current home.
Over the last two centuries the number of spectators that descend upon Cheltenham Racecourse increases by the thousands, with the Cheltenham Festival being the Racecourse’s main event.
Cheltenham Racecourse Hospitality
Enjoy the very best hospitality at Cheltenham Racecourse with our a 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 that will 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 plays host to 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.
There is limited availability for 2022 so be sure to book your Cheltenham VIP experiences early.
Watch our exclusive interview with legendary jockey Steve Smith Eccles
Cheltenham Festival Special Offers
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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.
In 2021 we saw the new partnership between Cheltenham Festival and WellChild and we already can’t wait to see who will be victorious at the WellChild Cheltenham Gold Cup in 2022. It will take a lot of skill and ability to stand up alongside the likes of Golden Miller, Best Mate and Arkle.
Impressive horse racing is not the only event to be enjoyed 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 for all.
Stay up to date with the latest Cheltenham horse race news.
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, trials to the renowned Cheltenham Festival. Races 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.
Getting to Cheltenham Racecourse
Cheltenham Racecourse is situated in the historic spa town of Cheltenham and is easily accessible by a car, train, coach, and other means of transport.
Cheltenham Racecourse, Evesham Road, Cheltenham, GL50 4SH
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 make sure you give yourself ample travelling time when visiting and leaving to attend Cheltenham races.
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. At the second roundabout take the first exit following signs to Cheltenham Racecourse (Princess Elizabeth Way). Continue to follow signs for Bishops Cleeve and Park & Ride. At the PC World/McDonalds roundabout, take the second exit towards Bishops Cleeve.
Directions from the M5 heading south:
Exit the M5 at Junction 10:
Follow the A4019 towards Cheltenham, then at the McDonald’s roundabout, take the 1st exit onto Kingsditch Lane. 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 pick up 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.
By Rail
Trains from London to Cheltenham Spa station tend to run every hour and take about two hours. Trains from Birmingham run approximately every half an hour and can take anywhere between 35-50 minutes. From Bristol, trains leave every hour and take about 35 minutes. From Cheltenham Spa station it is a ten minute drive to the Racecourse, or alternatively a bus will take you directly there.
By Bus
Stagecoach service D runs every 10 minutes during the day and between 10 minutes and every hour 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.
At The Festival a shuttle bus service will be operating, picking up racegoers from Cheltenham Spa Railway Station and outside WHSmith in the centre of town before dropping off at Cheltenham Racecourse. Return buses pick up from the Racecourse with stops at Pittville Street and then the Station.
- Return from Station – £5
- Single from Station – £3
- Single from Town – £2.50
- Single from Racecourse – £2.50
Read our guide to travelling to Cheltenham Racecourse
Coral World Grand Prix – Snooker
Fancy a game of snooker? Horse racing is not the only sporting event to be enjoyed at Cheltenham. The Coral World Grand Prix will be hosted at The Centaur in 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.
Judd Trump won the title in Cheltenham in 2019, who will triumph in 2020?
Junior Jumpers membership
For little horse racing enthusiasts the Junior Jumpers Memberships is a perfect way for local children to get involved with the great sport. 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, for free!
