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I’m thinking of making my 1st trip over to Cheltenham for the festival this year from Ireland and i’m just wondering where would be the best town/village within 30 to 40 mins drive of Cheltenham to book somehwere to stay guesthouse/b&b/apartment as i presume anything closer would be ridiculously expensive.
I’m very keen to get over on the Tuesday at the very least to see Hurricane Fly defend his crown so if worst comes to worst i’ll just fly over and back on the day, though that mightn’t be much fun
As well as that which tickets are best and is online the handiest option or can they be got at the gate?
Apologies if this is all very basic questions but thanks for any info anyone could provide
I’m thinking of making my 1st trip over to Cheltenham for the festival this year from Ireland and i’m just wondering where would be the best town/village within 30 to 40 mins drive of Cheltenham to book somehwere to stay guesthouse/b&b/apartment as i presume anything closer would be ridiculously expensive.
I’m very keen to get over on the Tuesday at the very least to see Hurricane Fly defend his crown so if worst comes to worst i’ll just fly over and back on the day, though that mightn’t be much fun
As well as that which tickets are best and is online the handiest option or can they be got at the gate?
Apologies if this is all very basic questions but thanks for any info anyone could provide
I’m not sure where to stay as I travel down each day from Coventry or base myself at my parents in Bristol.
As for tickets, Club are the best but most expensive. If you book online before 14 December they are considerably cheaper. Nowadays I believe you can normally get tickets on the day for the first threed days although Gold Cup Day can be sold out.
You can find out more here http://www.cheltenham.co.uk/
As you suggested accommodation prices anywhere in striking distance of Cheltenham go through the roof Festival week and, more importantly, all the best rooms will have gone already.
Just draw a circle from Cheltenham and check the towns about 20 miles away then go to somewhere like booking.com – they have a handy map search on the site. (other booking sites are available)
I’ve never bothered attempting to stay in the area during the festival – choosing to "commute" each day. Even though it is a two hour drive each way for me during Festival week.
You will certainly save money booking in advance – as for which enclosure it depends what you are looking for. It is crowded all days(moreso on Friday). If you aren’t bothered about seeing the runners in the parade ring the Best Mate enclosure does tend to be less crowded and cheaper.
If you do want to see the runners in the parade ring you will have a dilemma as it is difficult to see them in the parade ring and then try and find somewhere to watch the racing – unless you pay for a reserved seat.
I must admit much as I enjoy the quality of the racing at the Festival I’m not going to miss going to – for my liking it is far too crowded, if I do continue to take an interest in it I’ll settle for watching it on TV in future.
Fran, look into train routes to cheltenham as the train/bus service direct to Prestbury park is efficient and expedient. Find accommodation in one of the towns on the train route like Bristol, kidderminster or chepstow. I train in from weston super mare each day and it’s tolerable although gold cup day is tough work.
Fran, on the enclosure question club is the best although as paul says it is difficult to go to the parade ring then find a spot to watch the race, the place is mad busy. tatts I think is a poor choice the viewing is limited and cramped. personally i think best mate is the value option if you are not bothered about getting to the parade rng. especially thursday and friday when the racing is in the best mate side. definately book in advance it’s a long way to come to find it’s sold out.
are you hiring a car? if so there are many options within an hours or so drive although don’t understaimate the traffic before and after each day that hour could tuen into 2. if you will be getting the train have a look at google maps and thetrainline.com and find somewhee witha direct service to cheltenham
Fran
Startford Upon Avon is always good value. About 45 minutes away and very pleasantI must admit much as I enjoy the quality of the racing at the Festival I’m not going to miss going to – for my liking it is far too crowded, if I do continue to take an interest in it I’ll settle for watching it on TV in future.
Fran
If you do make it I hope you enjoy the experience however I would agree with the above quote from Paul. 2013 is the first year (foot and mouth apart)I’ve missed the festival since the early 1990’s. All bar once I have been in the Cabbage Patch (Best Mate). If you stand just in front of the temporary stands you can see pretty much all the way round. Went to Tatts once but barely saw a horse in the flesh the viewing was so poor.
It does get very crowded but some people disappear into the big tent where a live band plays in between races and are not seen again until racing is over. The atmosphere is still pretty good but IMO not quite what it was when people went just to see the racing. That could just be me looking through my old rose tinted specs however.
It’s worth going at least once, the racing of course is second to none but unless one of my retirement accumulator’s comes up and I can afford a box
I shan’t be returning to the festival for the forseable futureFran,
We stay 1m out of town centre in private accomodation. We are treated like long lost relatives each year. Try the tourist information board who facilitated the scheme.
Atmosphere in Town is second to none.
As regards the course – i’ve been in all enclosures, however for ease of movement, value for money and ability to get a quick drink, Best Mate wins hands down. The new stand offers a superb view of the course, especially if on the top third of the steps to the left hand side nearest the track.Go for it !!
Cheers lads for the info,i got talking to a local man that has been over the past 25 years or so and he also recommended Stratford on Avon and sid it’s very handy all round but i’m having to put plans on hold because the few mates that were definitely coming with me a few days back are now trying to work out how to persuade the women to let them go
If i have to go on my own i will on the Tuesday but that’d just be a day trip to see Hurricane Fly so i’d have to go into the best mate to get a look at him in the parade ring
i’m having to put plans on hold because the few mates that were definitely coming with me a few days back are now trying to work out how to persuade the women to let them go
What – you aren’t serious are you? You aren’t seriously saying they need permission to go?
If i have to go on my own i will on the Tuesday but that’d just be a day trip to see Hurricane Fly so i’d have to go into the best mate to get a look at him in the parade ring
No Fran – Best Mate
doesn’t
have parade ring access – you need Tatts or Members
Sorry i was getting Tatts and Best mate mixed up there, i’ll have to keep referring back to here when i am booking
Yeah i’m deadly serious and none of them even have kids,they’re all between 25 and 35 and only one of them’s married, i can’t for the life of me understand how they put up with it but apparently i’m lucky that i’ve a ‘low maintenance’ girlfriend, as i suggested perhaps it’s because i don’t let myself get used as a doormat
If you want to see your horse up close go to the pre parade ring while the previous race is on and stand next to the rail. We always do that then watch on the big screen so we are next to the winners enclosure when they come back. We also make a point of watching the horses unloading early on but you can also see the horses come back from exercising on the course; we saw the Mullins horses coming back this year. There’s an area for them to roll as well that is nice to see. The men that let them across the road leading back to the stable will tell you which horses are on the track. I find the races are over in the blink of an eye but it’s things like that that stay in my memory.
Does anyone know of coach or train trips from Glasgow area for 2014 festival. We are going on Thursday and Friday so ideally would like to leave early Thursday and return after Friday racing. Alternatively is there special Coach or train from Bristol or area on these days as we have option of staying there for 2 nights
Flights and accomadation booked
Arriving on the Monday and coming home early Thursday morning so i can be home in time for Thursdays action Mind you if i have a bit of luck i could be staying on for a few extra days No tickets got yet,thinking of getting the club tickets for the Tuesday as i’ve been told it gives you great view of the horses out for a gallop in the morning if you arrive early in the morning which i intend doing, mind you if it’s just the same access as the Tattersalls or Best mate with just a few fancier bars and Restaurants i wouldn’t bother
I shan’t be returning to the festival for the forseable future
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