A quick guide to the Cheltenham Festival

Two jockeys battle it out for the lead.

If you live in the UK, then you’ve certainly heard of the Cheltenham Festival. It’s one of the highlights of the local horse racing calendar but, more importantly, it’s a really fun trip to make with friends. So if you’re new to horse racing, here’s a brief guide on how to enjoy Cheltenham to the fullest.

What’s the big deal?

That’s kind of like asking a music lover “why the fuss over the Glastonbury?” It’s a good question though because, for the uninitiated, Cheltenham might seem like a whole load of fuss over nothing. But for sports fans, it’s one of the highlights of the racing calendar. It’s a four-day horse racing festival with races that offer mouth-watering prize pools for the horse owners and trainers.

The biggest race of them all is the Cheltenham Gold Cup. Now, while it may not be quite the nation-stopper that the Grand National is, it's still one of the most prestigious races in Europe, and for avid horse racing fans, there's nothing quite like it. It is a highlight of both a horse and jockey’s career and, as you can imagine, picking a winner is no mean feat. So before you go anywhere near a bookie, you'd be advised to do a little research and look for some expert advice on race favourites.

When is it on and where can you get tickets?

Zara Phillips parades the Olympic Torch at the Cheltenham Festival in 2012.

The festival takes place over four days in March each year at Cheltenham Racecourse in Gloucestershire. Tickets will go on sale closer to the festival date and range in price from about £37 right up to £111, depending on the enclosure you choose and the day you opt for. Of course, these prices will vary from year to year and if you get yourself a package for the entire event, you can save a bit of money.

If you’re interested in getting tickets, you can only buy them from the Jockey Club (the official outlet). They advise against buying tickets from anywhere else and so to avoid any trouble, best to follow the rules. If the tickets are not on sale yet, you can register your interest and you’ll be notified when they become available.

Where can you stay?

It’s estimated that around the time of the festival, there are about 10,000 nights sold in local hotels. That’s a lot of hotel beds and as you can imagine, they vary quite a bit in price. You can stay at a four-star hotel or a country manor-type place that provides shuttle transport to and from the race, but this will cost you a pretty penny.

A better option would be to stay at one of the smaller refurbished hotels in the town itself. The great thing about these types of places is that they’re not chain hotels, and you’ll often get better service. It’s also an added bonus that they’re right in town with easy access to public transport to and from the racecourse.

If you’re travelling with friends, then a good option is a holiday rental. Check out Airbnb to see what kind of deals you can find, but remember, they’ll be gone in a flash once they’re made available. If you see something good, book it as soon as possible. If you’re new to Airbnb then check out these useful tips.

What about transport?

Getting to Cheltenham is quite easy. There are plenty of trains that stop in the town and the local buses drop you right into the town centre. If you prefer a coach then you can get the National Express into the local bus station.

If you’re driving, this is where it can get a little difficult. Driving to Cheltenham is no issue at all, but parking in the town or near the racecourse can be a massive challenge. In fact, in recent years, the powers-that-be have tried to encourage people to leave their cars at the hotel and take public transport to and from the racecourse. There are a few park and ride car parks, but these can fill up fast on busier days. If you want a hassle-free trip, then leave the car at home.

Is there food available at the racecourse?

There are plenty of food trucks for hungry festival-goers at Cheltenham.

You better believe it. No matter what you like you can have it at the racecourse. Each enclosure has its own meal trucks and vendors that serve everything from freshly made pizzas to hot dogs.

If you’re not bothered about the budget, then you can always opt for a hospitality package when you book your tickets. This includes a meal with a starter, main course, dessert, drinks, and waiting staff to bring it to you. Personally though, I think you’re best off having a big breakfast, then topping up on a burger or hot dog at the course.

What about the nightlife?

So the races are on during the day but once they’re over, you don’t really want to head straight back to the hotel, do you? Of course not. Don’t worry, the usually sleepy spa town comes alive during the festival with a hectic and vibrant nightlife.

There is live music, clubs, and lots and lots of pubs. You’ll be spoiled for choice each and every night. Just don’t expect to find a seat. In some cases, you might not even get in through the door, but the real fun is usually to be had out in the beer gardens, although that does depend on the unpredictable British weather...