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Hi folks, as its my first time going to the festival friday this year i was wondering whats advice people could give me from past experiences. Upto now i have only been to haydock, Uttoxeter and Wolverhampton racecourses.
thanks in advance
My advice would have been not to bother.
If you are in Tatts the best of luck, if you are in the Best Mate enclosure stand near the makeshift stands on the hill and you’ll see all the way around. If you don’t want to wait too long for a drink go to the bar near the betting office at the back of the main building, the tents tend to be overflowing.
Hope you enjoy it.
which day are you going? are there tickets left for Gold Cup Day; we’ve got ours for the Tuesday [as usual] but I’d love to see Kauto Star. Stopped going for the Gold Cup because it was just so packed out…we just enjoy wandering around the paddock and pre parade ring – usually just watch the racing on the screen in the paddock so we can rush over and see the horses walking back after the race; sad as it may seem we just take sandwiches and a flask and just soak up the atmosphere – to me it’s just about seeing my equine heroes…could probably happily spend the day down by the pre parade ring….
Hi Mead & don’t believe vaaronizneez as it’s definitely worth bothering & I look forward to it from the last race of the previous year
Yes it’s busy, but get there early & wander round to soak up the atmosphere before the hordes arrived
Yes it’s a struggle to get a drink sometimes, but again before 13.00 it’s fine. Also this is what hip flasks are for!
I used to get a pitch in Tatts under the Grandstand & stand all day, but now pay extra for a seat – usually from eBay for £50/£60 but well worth it
Don’t know what day(s) you’re going but for me Tuesday is the best, Wed/Fri are on a par but Gold Cup day is VERY busy and Thursday is the weakest of the 4
hi guys, i ordered my ticket on tuesday for the friday in the best mate enclosure but ive been told there wont be many left by the end of the week. i will be going with my uncle for the 1st time who is a seasoned veteran when it comes to the festival so he should show me how its all done.
I’m really looking foward to the gold cup, Kauto for me! As for the atmosphere, i can’t wait to experience it. When ever i ask people who have been in the past they always say the atmosphere is brilliant.. counting down to the days already!
Mead,
Perpetual is right in saying ignore me. I’m sure you’ll have a great day.
I still go for a day out but on the weakest and least attended day, Thursday. Gold Cup day for me is now too crowded, but I think you’ve chosen the right enclosure if you want to watch the racing "live"and don’t have a seat.The atmosphere is what its all about especially if a well punted horse is in with a chance over the last.
As written before enjoy your day
thanks aaronizneez, im glad i could get the best mate now knowing thats theres a good chance i could see some of the race live! just hope the weather is good too.
I’m thinking of going to Cheltenham this year. I went for all three days when Best Mate won his third Gold Cup but I’ve forgot nearly everything about it (other than the races themselves), and my friend organised it all. Now I’m organising it myself and I’m clueless.
Can anyone give a rough description of each enclosure? Price, viewing, size of the crowds, ‘poshness’, etc?
And can everyone access the new ampitheatre thing?
I’m thinking of stopping in Worchester and getting the train everyday (apparently its only 30 minutes). If anyone has done this, can they tell me whether this is practical, i.e., are the trains regular, how far is it from the Cheltenham train station to the course?
It’s a fair step from the station to the course but there is a dedicated bus service, and, of course, there will be taxis available if you are prepared to queue.
Colin
Hi folks, as its my first time going to the festival friday this year i was wondering whats advice people could give me from past experiences. Upto now i have only been to haydock, Uttoxeter and Wolverhampton racecourses.
thanks in advance
Mead the place is nothing like you can imagine……..my advice is go there with an open mind and just enjoy it…try and get a half decent possie, you could spend all day there and never see a race it is so busy……..easier if you happen to be six foot five inches tall……….eat well before you go as it’s way too time consuming trying to get a bite to eat between races. If you enjoy a beer make friends with one of the staff selling beer before racing and ask his/her name and buy them a drink…….oldest trick in the book but works……..20 guys wanting served and you call the person by name you’ll get served in a quarter of the time.
I used to stay at the Queens hotel and would recommend you drop in about 8pm for a beer and introduce yourself to some of the Irish Lads that book the place a year and more in advance……the crack is brilliant and you’ll find a few familiar faces wandering about the place.
For viewing in tatts, best idea is to approach it from the back bar at top of terracing and push your way down a little. Not easy but will work…and dont leave it too late
The crowds are just a little easier than in previous years but pretty horrendous all the same
Guiness bar is easiest for drinks. Directly behind stand not far from paddock
Agree with comments that its worth just soaking up unique atmosphere and try not to worry too much about the distinct lack of comfort
The bus service from the station is busy, but very organised – about £4.50 return
The pub near the station is awful, but the fish & chip shop is a must!
The pub near the station is now in new ownership and has improved, not great but better.
They now have a sports room with plenty of flat-screens so you can see where your money went earlier in the afternoon.
Not sure if the bus prices are different for the Festival but it was only £2.70 return for the Boylesports meeting on the Friday.
Colin
We quite often walk from the station to the track; get there early and watch the horses being unloaded….love The Queens Hotel but can’t afford to stay there any more! I’m getting excited already!!
The pub near the station is awful, but the fish & chip shop is a must!
Pub is a lot better these days, but walk up towards the centre on main road for about 200 yards and theres a decent small boozer (busy but less crowded)
The fish and chip shop is magic
As someone who lives near the station, I must advise you all to avoid the Midland pub by the station. It’s crap. Go to the Kings Arms about four hundred yards down Gloucester Road towards town. Classic local boozer.
Yes, the fish and chip shop is top class. The Chinese next door is good. All the locals use it. It’s always busy.
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