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Not driving to the Festival this year and it’s been a long time since I went by train. Am I right in thinking that there is now a walk from the station to the track that avoids walking through town and, if there is, how long would it take to do it. More concerned about getting back to the station to catch the return train than getting to the track, as I seem to remember the shuttle buses getting caught in rush hour traffic in the past. Need to get an allocated eat on the train as the old legs aren’t up to standing for 2 hours these days !
It takes me about half an hour maybe a little longer and that’s with a decent stride, the last stretch is uphill.
the buses do get caught up in the traffic but still about the same time as walking, maybe quicker depending on how fast you walk imoBlackbeard to conquer the World
Return shuttle bus was always quick enough for us, but then i think we stayed back for one drink to let the queues go down prior to leaving. You could try that, depends if you’re in a rush for the train back.
I’m just worried about missing my train. If I don’t have a reserved seat I might end up standing for the whole journey, which has happened in the past. Mike has always insisted that we miss the last race so I’m quite pleased at the thought of staying for the whole day [although I’m going to be absolutely shattered; if anyone sees a little old lady curled up asleep in a corner somewhere that’ll be me !]
When I’ve left before the last race and got the bus, it’s a lot quicker than going from station to course
Blackbeard to conquer the World
Yes, there is a path, it’s basically a cycle track (the Honeybourne Line) that starts at the station and goes pretty much all the way to the course. You need to keep left at the junction after half a mile or so, then turn right when you get to the sports stadium. Brings you out on Folly Lane, not far from the track.
I’d say you’d need to be an Olympian to do it in half an hour tho, at least on the way there as it’s all uphill. More like 45mins to an hour.
An alternative, if you’re feeling fit and able, is to hire a bike from the Bicycle Hub by the station – costs about £17/day, less than a taxi one-way. I did that all four days last year, transformed my week not having to fight my way onto a bus full of drunks at the end of the day … And the ride back is fantastic, hardly need to pedal, track to station was 12 minutes on Gold Cup night!
I could have been an Olympian Mr Frisk,
I was very fast as a schoolboy, I use to pick on the year 11’s when I was in year 7, they use to pick on my brother so I would still their school bags and throw them on top of the old wooden huts, they would chase me but I was too quick for them. I broke the school record for the 400m in year 7 beating all the private schools boys trained to the minute whereas I was a chips with salt lad whacked down with a can of coke.
Still, you are correct in it being over the half hour I put. I think the adrenaline of it being Cheltenham makes it feel you haven’t walked as far as you have. I always stop to chat up the Paddy Power girls and grab a free scarf too. The last time there was a free Guinness tent too and it would have taken at least a minute to knock back a pint of that stuff.Blackbeard to conquer the World
its a fair old way to walk. Bus into town now they have stopped the majority of the traffic from the course is as quick as walking most of the time. If you can get a bus from lower high street to go down the tewkesbury road drop off at Tesco (collets drive) – I get the C bus from outside Mcdonalds lower high st but a few should go that way) then walk up to the station along B4633 – that last bit is probably 15 – 20 mins max. Less time to walk with a bit of a rest. Wouldnt take more than an hour.
Going to all 4 days so just need to get c bus into town for me
. Traffic is far less now they have one way in and around the course – have walked back and seen the bus pass me. Usually get a day rider its 3.70 per day for free bus travel unless its a races special bus.Good to hear the cycle path is still going strong in Cheltenham and it’s an excellent cut through to both the course and the town centre.
Happy memories of walking along there in the early 90s listening to festival radio where Alice Plunkett and Simon Holt had their own shows not to mention hearing reruns of the commentary’s by Robin Gray and Raleigh Gilbert.For those not aware there has been a new traffic scheme in the past few months in the area known as Boots Corner (the pedestrian crossing from the High Street to the lower High Street), Buses and taxis are still allowed but no ordinary traffic. During the November 2018 weekend meeting buses were taking 15 per cent less times (eight minutes) to travel from the racecourse to the town, then to the station and then back to the racecourse to undertake their next journey.
That’s good to know. I didn’t want tobe sat on a bus stuck in a traffic jam worrying about missing my train. I can’t get an open ticket these days as I’m too old to be elbowed out of the way and trampled on [it has happened although I’m exaggerating about the trampled bit….]
im a very regular cyclist and cycling to sandown today in fact. what a good idea for cheltenham
i always walk to the course from station and get bus back. its just about tolerable both ways is all i would say
Have booked a seat going to Cheltenham but not for the return trip [can’t anyway; computer said no]. So, if I fall asleep in a corner somewhere and miss my train I’ve got 4 weeks in which to travel home. I might even attach a luggage label to myself a la Paddington Bear saying ‘please return to Derby’. Have got so used to the chauffeur [aka Mike] getting me to the track and back it’ll be quite an adventure, especially as I’m usually ready to fall asleep at 8 o’clock these days.
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