Cheltenham Racecourse Guide 1

Cheltenham Racecourse Guide

Welcome to our official guide to Cheltenham Racecourse.

We explore this renowned jump racing racecourse in detail, examining its history, the Cheltenham Festival, a guide to the three race tracks, recommended hotels, the whole season fixture list, major races throughout the year, travel information, and betting guides.

If you are looking for the latest betting tips for Cheltenham, check out our complete guide to Cheltenham Racecourse tips.

Cheltenham is considered to be one of the best racecourses in the world, and for very good reason. Find out why today in our Cheltenham Racecourse Guide.

Find out more about Cheltenham Racecourse:

Overview of Cheltenham Racecourse

Known as ‘The Home Of Jump Racing’, Cheltenham is the headquarters of National Hunt racing and attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors every year.

This stunning racecourse is nestled in a breathtaking valley of the Cotswold Hills, and you’ll struggle to find a more picturesque racecourse in the world. It is our favourite racecourse here at British Racecourses from our entire list of UK racecourses.

Owned and run by The Jockey Club, which boasts fourteen brilliant British racecourses in its portfolio, Cheltenham racecourse sits in Prestbury Park, not far from the beautiful town of Cheltenham.

Surrounded by rolling hills, the racecourse is situated in a natural amphitheatre for the sport and has a capacity for 67,500 spectators. The superb Festival held in March every year, over 4 days, sees this capacity sold out, with the stands and surrounding countryside packed full of spectators from across the country, all eager to see the top-class action unfold.

A stunning natural location, informed crowds and the best racehorses compete at every meeting. This makes Cheltenham the ultimate jumps racing venue for any racing fan.

The Ultimate Guide to Cheltenham Racetrack

Cheltenham Racecourse History

Cheltenham has a rich heritage of horse racing and hosted its first flat race meet in 1815 on Nottingham Hill.

Over the next decade, racing soared in popularity, and the racecourse boasted over 3,000 attendees for its traditional 2-day July meet from 1818 onwards. However, racing was not the favoured sport for all in the area.

In 1829, the local Parish Priest, Reverend Francis Close, preached to his congregation that he believed racing to be evil. The following year, members of his congregation disrupted the race meets, and mysteriously, the grandstand was burned to the ground in a significant fire. To overcome this negative attention, the course was relocated to Prestbury Park (where it remains today) in 1831, where it has flourished.

In 1961, the Jockey Club was established and assumed management of the racecourse. A substantial round of investment was raised, leading to the regeneration of the course, which improved and expanded its capacity and facilities. Now, the racecourse is considered a major venue within the South West of England; it is not just used for racing, but it also hosts a wide range of other events throughout the year.

What are the Cheltenham Racecourse Fixtures for 2026?

DateRacecourseWeekday
1/1/2026CheltenhamThursday
24/1/2026CheltenhamSaturday
10/3/2026CheltenhamTuesday
11/3/2026CheltenhamWednesday
12/3/2026CheltenhamThursday
13/3/2026CheltenhamFriday
15/4/2026CheltenhamWednesday
16/4/2026CheltenhamThursday
1/5/2026CheltenhamFriday
23/10/2026CheltenhamFriday
24/10/2026CheltenhamSaturday
13/11/2026CheltenhamFriday
14/11/2026CheltenhamSaturday
15/11/2026CheltenhamSunday
11/12/2026CheltenhamFriday
12/12/2026CheltenhamSaturday

Cheltenham Tips

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The Cheltenham Festival Overview

Whilst Cheltenham hosts many major meetings throughout the year (explored further on), the biggest and most famous is undoubtedly The Festival. Held over four days in March annually, it hosts 28 races with a prize fund exceeding £4.5 million. Over 265,000 racegoers attend to watch the spectacle every year.

Currently, the meeting is sponsored by cider brand Magners, and people travel from all over the world to watch; it is the jewel in the crown of jumps racing and where champions are crowned.

The primary Cheltenham Festival races include:

  • The Cheltenham Gold Cup – a Grade 1 National Hunt race, a steeplechase of just over 3 miles with 22 jumps. The winners are typically regarded as the best chasers of the year. Previous star winners have included Kauto Star, Denman, Best Mate and, looking further back, the supreme Arkle. The betting event takes place on the last day of the Cheltenham Festival.
  • The Champion Hurdle – another Grade 1 race, this is the most prestigious hurdle race in the calendar, open to horses aged 4+. The winner of the Champion Hurdle is considered to be the best hurdler of the year. Previous greats have included Isabraq, Hurricane Fly and Faugheen. The betting event takes place on the first day of the Cheltenham Festival.
  • The Queen Mother Champion Chase – the leading minimum distance chase in the racing calendar and another Grade 1, the Queen Mother Champion Chase is run over 2 miles with 13 jumps, an actual test of speed and jumping. Previous great winners have included Viking Flagship, Moscow Flyer and the brilliant Altior. The betting event takes place on the 2nd day of the Cheltenham Festival in March.
  • The Stayers Hurdle – the leading long-distance hurdle event in the calendar, with just under 3 miles to be covered and with 12 hurdles to be jumped, it’s another superb Grade 1. The winner of the Stayers Hurdle is considered the best long-distance hurdler; previous notable winners have included Baracouda, Inglis Drever and the legend Big Bucks. The betting event takes place on the third day of the Cheltenham Festival in March.

Other Cheltenham Festival Races

Other Key Races at Cheltenham

Cheltenham Racecourse Tickets

Cheltenham Racecourse tickets are always in high demand for all of their meetings. You’ll find great offers, deals, and early bird tickets to all of their events throughout the year. We always recommend booking in advance so you can enjoy the day out and plan accordingly.

As racing at Cheltenham is so popular, the events sell out quickly, so it is best to book in advance to avoid disappointment.

If you are looking for the best deals on Cheltenham Racecourse Tickets, follow the official link here.

Cheltenham Racecourse Map

The racecourse boasts two main, separate courses which sit alongside each other: named The Old Course and The New Course, as well as a cross-country track. Both courses are left-handed and undulating.

Cheltenham is famed for its final uphill finish in front of the grandstand. The fences are known to be stiff and take some jumping, particularly the big ditch at the top of the hill and the tricky downhill third last.

View the Cheltenham racecourse maps below:

Cheltenham Racecourse Map

The Cheltenham Old Course

The Old Course is the racecourse used for The Showcase, The November Meeting and the first two days of The Festival.

It is sharper than the New Course, and front-runners and horses who race prominently tend to fare well, even though the final half-mile is a stiff uphill finish, as mentioned above.

The Cheltenham New Course

The New Course is used for The International featuring the International Hurdle, New Year’s Day, Festival Trials Day, the final two days of The Festival, and the April and May meetings.

It is a stiffer track than the Old Course, with a greater emphasis on stamina; for this reason, hold-up horses tend to perform better over the New Course.

The Cheltenham Cross Country Course

The cross-country track is a relatively new addition to the course, located in the centre of the racecourse. It is used for one race each at The November Meeting, The International and the Festival.

The cross-country course features a variety of obstacles, including fences, hurdles, banks, and even a “canal turn” in honour of the famous jump at Aintree racecourse.

Cheltenham Racecourse Address

The official Cheltenham Racecourse address is:

Cheltenham Racecourse
Evesham Rd
Cheltenham
Gloucestershire
GL50 4SH
Phone: 01242 513014

Check out where Cheltenham racecourse is on a map, below:

How To Get To Cheltenham Races

Cheltenham racecourse (Prestbury Park) is easily accessible from the spa town of Cheltenham. The most popular modes of transport to Cheltenham races are below.

Find out about getting to Cheltenham Racecourse:

  • By Car – just a 5-minute drive from the town centre, you can park either at the course (Cheltenham racecourse parking is free) or in the town and get a local bus out – it runs every 15 minutes on Cheltenham race days. If using your sat nav, input Cheltenham Racecourse, Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, GL50 4SH
  • Train & Cheltenham Park and Ride – Cheltenham Spa rail station is the nearest station (there isn’t a Cheltenham racecourse station). It is also a 40-minute ride from Birmingham and Bristol, and dedicated shuttle buses run directly from Cheltenham station on race days – this is known as the Cheltenham Racecourse Park and ride.
  • Air – Surprisingly, a good few race attendees choose to travel to the course by air – it’s the busiest temporary airfield in the UK! Helicopter arrivals are welcome on race days, and over 400 arrivals are to be expected over The Festival alone.
Cheltenham Races

Hotels Near Cheltenham Racecourse

Cheltenham isn’t a large town, but it offers a range of good hotels and hospitality options to suit most budgets. There are many good-quality places to stay near the Cheltenham racecourse.

Our recommendations of the best hotels in Cheltenham, Gloucestershire include:

  • The Holiday Inn Express, located in the centre of Cheltenham, offers various room-and-breakfast packages that can be booked from £30+ (if booked well in advance).
  • For a more upscale option or to make your visit an occasion, consider Ellenborough Park – a luxury manor hotel offering all the necessary amenities.
  • The Hotel Du Vin is another excellent option if you are attending the Cheltenham races. It is a cosmopolitan hotel set in the Montpellier district, featuring a popular champagne bar and a beautiful bistro restaurant.

Cheltenham Racecard

Cheltenham runners and riders for the races are confirmed the day before the race day (you can find them on tomorrow’s racecards), although ante-post betting is available on their major racing events throughout the year.

Cheltenham Festival Runners

Events Held at Cheltenham Racecourse

In addition to the racing, the Gloucestershire course hosts a wide range of events, including “The Greatest Show Christmas Party,” a festive celebration like no other, open to all. It’s a brilliant themed seasonal night out for ‘works dos’ and friendship groups alike – but there won’t be any horses in sight! Previous events have included:

Cheltenham Facts

  • Cheltenham Racecourse is located in Gloucestershire, England, and is the home of the Cheltenham Festival, one of the most prestigious events in the world.
  • National Hunt racing events in the world.
  • The Cheltenham Festival takes place over four days in March and attracts over 250,000 visitors each year.
  • The course is a left-handed oval of 1 mile 4 furlongs (2.4 km) with a 3 furlong (600 m) run-in.
  • The course has a total of 22 fences, including the famous Cheltenham Open ditch and the water jump.
  • It is known as the home of jump racing.
  • It hosts the jump racing’s crown jewel, The Gold Cup, during the Gold Cup Festival.
  • It is home to The Centaur, one of the largest auditoria found in the South West of England. It can accommodate 4,000 people standing or 2,000 seated and is used for events and conferencing when not in use for the Cheltenham races.
  • The Jockey Club has previously engaged in talks with Cheltenham Town FC about a possible venue move there, and there have often been rumours swirling in the local area regarding a partnership. However, this is no longer considered viable for either party, so it is unlikely to happen now.
  • The course and stadium have undergone extensive redevelopment over the last 20 years, culminating in the £45m Princess Royal Stand’s opening in 2015.
  • Front Runners restaurant, at Cheltenham Racecourse, is their on-course restaurant, which is highly recommended.

Frequently Asked Questions about Cheltenham Races

  1. “We are coming to the Cheltenham Festival on the opening day, what are the main races on this first Tuesday?” Lucky you, you are in for a treat and will hear the ‘Cheltenham Roar’ typically going up after the start of the first race and a host of Grade 1 races. The primary jump race on the first day is the Unibet Champion Hurdle, but other notable races include the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle and the Racing Post Arkle. All the races are run over the Old Course for the first two days before going on the New Course over the last two days.
  2. “Who are your favourite Cheltenham Gold Cup winners and general Festival winners?” A tricky question, but some of our favourite winners include Kauto Star, Native River, and, looking back, Master Oats. A personal favourite for the Queen Mother Champion Chase was Viking Flagship, and a favourite hurdler was a brilliant little mare called Mysilv, who won the Triumph Hurdle (one of the main novice hurdles) before running in both the Champion Hurdle and Stayers Hurdle on the same week the following year, where she finished second! Tiger Roll is an obvious favourite winner of the Cross Country Handicap Chase, Sprinter Sacre winning the Arkle novice’s chase and the tough Un De Sceaux winning The Ryanair chase. Too many to choose from!
  3. “Are there any lucky jockeys or trainers that we should follow at Cheltenham?” In our opinion probably the best jockey at Cheltenham was Ruby Walsh, maybe people may deem him an unlucky jockey after a few falls (namely Annie Power in the Mares Hurdle) but we believe that his outstanding record of 11 times top jockey at The Festival shows his class – we would say he was the greatest. Other great Cheltenham jockeys include Tony McCoy, Mick Fitzgerald and Charlie Swan. In terms of trainers, Willie Mullins is hard to get past and dominate in recent years, whilst Paul Nicholls and Nicky Henderson are always feared.
  4. “What is the Cheltenham races postcode?” The Cheltenham races postcode is GL50 4SH, Cheltenham, Gloucestershire.
  5. “Many people say that Cheltenham is the ultimate test for horses and jockeys, do you agree?” Yes, we do, it’s a challenging track. Galloping, big fences and then a stiff uphill finish – no race is easy to win there, and competition is always tough. There are also three courses: The New Course, the Cross Country, and the Old Course. Season after season, from the October meeting through to the Hunter meetings in May, we believe every race is a joy, and usually, behind every winner, there is a story, which is what the sport is all about. It is also great family fun.

Cheltenham Racecourse Summary

Cheltenham is the racing mecca for any National Hunt enthusiast, set in the beautiful Cotswold Hills.

A natural, stunning location, with superb jump racing including the famous Cheltenham Gold Cup, and all set in a beautiful part of England; it’s a place where dreams come true and champions are made. You, too, can be part of living history.

It is a racecourse enjoyed by people from all walks of life and all ages, regardless of the weather or the meeting. We couldn’t recommend it more highly. From the finest hospitality to great laughs, it’s a fantastic blend of the best of what racing has to offer.

A British Racecourse Guide top pick and one of our Top 10 Racecourses in the UK – the home of jump racing.

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July 2026