Cheltenham Racecourse Guide

James Dooley avatar

Written By:

Updated:

Welcome to our official guide to Cheltenham Racecourse.

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

If you are looking for the latest betting tips for Cheltenham, check out our full 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:

Cheltenham Racecourse Guide

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 stunning 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 their 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, 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 burnt to the ground in a major fire. To overcome this negative attention, the course was moved to Prestbury Park (where it still sits today) in 1831 where it has flourished.

In 1961, The Jockey Club was launched and took over the management of the racecourse. A heavy round of investment was raised and saw the regeneration of the course, improving and expanding 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.

Cheltenham Tips

MeetingTimeNameBet Slip
–:–
No Race Fixtures found today

The Cheltenham Festival Overview

Whilst Cheltenham hosts a number of 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 the prize fund exceeding £4.5m. 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 crowded.

The main 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 normally considered to be the best chaser 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. A true 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-distanced 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 very popular for all of their meetings. You’ll find great offers, deals and early birds to all of their events throughout the year and we always recommend booking in advance so you get to enjoy the day out and can plan ahead.

As racing at Cheltenham is so popular the events sell out, so it is best to book early and 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 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 and is a track in the centre of the racecourse, it is used for one race each at The November Meeting, The International and the Festival each.

The cross country course sees the horses jump a variety of obstacles 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 there are good hotel and hospitality options, and enough to suit most budgets. There are lots of good quality places to stay near the Cheltenham racecourse.

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

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

Best Cheltenham Races Betting Sites

At British Racecourses we often recommend betting online and via apps. This is because you can often get the best odds guaranteed, great offers when signing up and you can place bets quickly and safely without having to queue.

If you are looking to bet online when at Cheltenham races (Chelt races for short!) we recommend the following great deals listed on this page with these brilliant horse racing betting sites – all of which have amazing offers for new customers:

Cheltenham Races 2024

Here is the horse racing calendar for Cheltenham Races in 2024:

DateRacecourseWeekday
1/1/2024CheltenhamMonday
27/1/2024CheltenhamSaturday
12/3/2024CheltenhamTuesday
13/3/2024CheltenhamWednesday
14/3/2024CheltenhamThursday
15/3/2024CheltenhamFriday
17/4/2024CheltenhamWednesday
18/4/2024CheltenhamThursday
3/5/2024CheltenhamFriday
25/10/2024CheltenhamFriday
26/10/2024CheltenhamSaturday
15/11/2024CheltenhamFriday
16/11/2024CheltenhamSaturday
17/11/2024CheltenhamSunday
13/12/2024CheltenhamFriday
14/12/2024CheltenhamSaturday

Check out our guide for the full list of UK horse racing calendar fixtures for 2024.

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 the day previous), although ante-post betting is available on their major racing events throughout the year.

Cheltenham Festival Runners

Events Held at Cheltenham Racecourse

As well as the racing, the Gloucestershire course hosts a whole variety of events, these include “The Greatest Show Christmas Party” which is a festive celebration like no other and is 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, which is one of the most prestigious
  • 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 hold 4,000 people standing or 2,000 seated, it is used for events and conferencing when not in use for Cheltenham races.
  • The Jockey Club have previously engaged in talks with Cheltenham Town FC about a possible venue move there, and there are often rumours swirling in the local area in regards to a partnership, but this is no longer considered viable for either party, so is unlikely to now happen.
  • The course and stadium have seen extensive redevelopment over the last 20 years, which was completed with the £45m Princess Royal Stand opening in 2015.
  • Front Runners restaurant, Cheltenham racecourse – is their great 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 main jump race on the first day is The Unibet Champion Hurdle but the other main 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?” Hard question, 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 novices 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 novices 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 Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, GL50 4SH.
  5. Many people say that Cheltenham is the ultimate test for horses and jockeys, do you agree?” Yes, we do, it’s a tough 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 think every race is joy and normally 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, whatever the weather and whatever 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.