Cheltenham Racecourse is known as the ‘Home of Jump Racing’. Racing was first held at the venue in 1831, although the first organised Flat race meeting in Cheltenham took place in 1815.
The racecourse hosts meets in January, April, October, November and December however it is the Cheltenham Festival in March that the course is most famed for. The meeting draws huge crowds and features several notable Grade 1 races including the Cheltenham Gold Cup, Champion Hurdle, Queen Mother Champion Chase and the Festival Trophy.
Tickets at Cheltenham Racecourse
To purchase tickets and for further ticket information, consult the official website here.
Location & Travel to Cheltenham Racecourse
Cheltenham Racecourse is located at Prestbury Park in the village of Prestbury, 1.5 miles north of Cheltenham in Gloucestershire in South West England.
Airport – Birmingham Airport is located approximately 48 miles north of Cheltenham, serving European destinations, as well as international destinations such as the Caribbean, India, Pakistan, Qatar and the UAE. There is a train station (Birmingham International) at the airport which connects to central Birmingham for onwards services to Cheltenham.
Alternatively, Bristol Airport is approximately 54 miles south of Cheltenham, with flights to many European destinations. The Airport Flyer Express bus service connects the airport with the city, for onwards travel by train to Cheltenham.
Thinking of going to Cheltenham? Search & book your flights through Skyscanner here.
Bus – There is a bus service that runs to the racecourse from the station (Stagecoach lines D and E) all year round, with a journey time of just over 10 minutes costing £2.10 for a single or £4 return. During the festival, there is a shuttle bus that runs between the Cheltenham Spa Railway Station, Cheltenham Town Centre and The Racecourse (South Car Park) costing £3 single or £5.50 return.
Coach – National Express offers directs services to Cheltenham Racecourse from various different UK locations over the Festival, you can search and book your tickets here.
Driving/Parking – From the M5 motorway exit at Junction 11 and follow the A40 where the racecourse should be signposted. If driving from Cheltenham, follow Evesham Road north for 5 minutes. During the Festival, car parking is chargeable – you can book in advance on the official website here or pay £25 upon arrival.
Train – Cheltenham Spa railway station is situated Bristol-Birmingham main line with services to Gloucester, Bristol, Swindon, London Paddington, Cardiff Central, the South West, Birmingham, the North and Scotland. There is a bus service that runs to the racecourse from the station (lines D and E) all year round, with a shuttle bus also running during the festival (see above).
Cheltenham Racecourse railway station is no longer part of the national rail network but is the southern terminus of the 12-mile long heritage Gloucestershire Warwickshire Railway.
Thinking of catching a train to Cheltenham? Search and book your journey through the Trainline here.
Hotels in Cheltenham
Use TripAdvisor to find some great places to stay in Cheltenham by clicking here.
Tour of Cheltenham Racecourse
Non-raceday guided tours of the racecourse cost £18 per person but require a minimum of 30 people. Further information is available on the official website here.
Further Information & Events
Cheltenham Racecourse Official Website
Last Updated on April 8, 2022 by Sports Tourist