Cheltenham Racecourse

Cheltenham Racecourse is a key racecourse for horse racing events, it is located at Prestbury Park, on the outskirts of the English Cotswold town of Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, just 1.5 miles from Cheltenham town centre. Cheltenham Racecourse is  the home of National Hunt racing,  the racecourse hosts the four-day Cheltenham Festival, held annually in March, featuring the main event the Cheltenham Gold Cup held each year on the last day of racing the Cheltenham races attract over 230,000 visitors, this is always a popular race week on the sporting calender attracting world class jump horses from across the world, and is particularly popular with the British and Irish National Hunt supporters, where over £500,000 is spent on betting over the 4 day event, many betting sites give information on the latest odds and offer free bets . The Cheltenham Gold Cup is the feature race of the Cheltenham Festival 2011 when the best chase runner wins. This is the race that every owner trainer and jockey dreams of winning, the Gold Cup Race is run over three miles, two furlongs course at Cheltenham Racecourse which has a series of Racing fixtures throughout the year. Under 18's can go to all racing fixtures free ( excluding the Cheltenham Festival).

The racecourse has a wonderful backdrop, set in a natural amphitheatre at the foot of the Cotswold Hills, at Cleeve Hill, with a capacity of 67,500 spectators. The racecourse also has its own steam railway station,  this is no longer a national rail network but is terminus for  the Gloucestershire Warwickshire Railway which is a popular steam train ride running from Toddington in the North Cotswolds.

Cheltenham Racecourse hosts a wide range of events from the world famous Cheltenham Gold Cup and horse racing throughout the year,  to Cheltenham Racecourse events,  concerts, music festivals such as Wychwood Festival and the Greenbelt Festival, charity runs and events, circus and fairs, 10k charity runs, bonfire and fireworks to party nights and corporate events throughout the annual calander. The University of Gloucestershire holds its graduation ceremony and summer ball at the racecourse.

Cheltenham racecourse is situated at Presbury Park Cheltenham at the foot of the Cotswold Hills, and is situated on the North East outskirts of Cheltenham. The Racecourse welcomes over 700,000 visitors a year, and over 200,000 visitors to the Gold cup alone. The racecourse is conveniently situated for both Cheltenham town centre and for hotel and accommodation in Cheltenham.

    Cheltenham Races - the racing season runs from October to May,

Cheltenham Racecourse has 16 days of racing spread over 8 fixtures each season. Seasonal fixtures include: The Showcase in October, The Open in mid November, The International on 10th/11th December, New Year's Day Racing, Festival Trials Day on 29th January, The Cheltenham Gold Cup Festival in mid   March, The April Meeting on 13th/14th April and Hunter Chase Evening on 4th May Cheltenham Racecourse offer Raceday Packages offering great value.

Cheltenham racecourse has confirmed it is to have a £30 million makeover improving grandstand facilities and to replace a collection of buildings between the paddock and the track which have been there for many years.

Cheltenham Racecourse has 3 courses

The Old Course

Used each season for the first two days of The Festival, The Showcase, and The Open .

The New Course

Used each season for The International, New Year's Day, Festival Trials Day, the 3rd and 4th days of The Festival (including the Gold Cup) and The April and May meetings.

The Cross Country Steeplechase course

This course is used for the Cheltenham Festival, one race each at The Open, and The International each season.  Cross Country racing started at Cheltenham in 1985 with the advent of Sunday racing. Since then, two more races over Cheltenham's twisting and turning course of banks, ditches and rails, have been added, with the latest obstacle introduced in 2009, 'the cheese wedges.

Dining and Hospitality

VIP trearment can be found in the hospitality suites packages ar offered to meet all tastes and budgets both at racemeetings and throughout the year from wedding to conferences a beautiful and convenient location, versatile facilities both indoors and out, and top quality cuisine, and hospitality.

Cheltenham Racecourse Carboot

Carboot sales are  held every sunday 9am-1pm one of the largest carboot sales in Cheltenham

Getting to Cheltenham Racecourse Festival

A bus link runs from Cheltenham Spa Station from 2 hours before racing, returning after racing, for The Festival and The Open.

For other meetings, Cheltenham Spa station taxis will deliver passengers direct to the racecourse and collect after racing.

Cross Country trains run regular trains to and from Cheltenham Spa to the South West, Wales, Manchester, the Midlands and the North East. For The Festival 2011, you can buy your shuttle bus ticket alongside your train ticket online at crosscountrytrains.co.uk by selecting 'Cheltenham Spa' station to 'CheltRaces_Bus_XC' in the Find a Train panel.

If you are looking For Hotels and Accommodation during your visit to Cheltenham click on the Link or for more information on Cheltenham.

Enjoy the Racing at Cheltenham Racecourse 2011  Hosting 25 Races

Cheltenham Racing Fixtures 2011

Festival Trials Day 29 January 11.00am 12.55pm 4.20pm
The Gold Cup Festival 15 March 10.30am 1.30pm 4.40pm Buy tickets
16 March 10.30am 1.30pm 5.15pm
17 March 10.30am 1.30pm 4.40pm
18 March 10.30am 1.30pm 5.15pm
April Meeting 13 April 12 noon 2.10pm 5.05pm 14 April 12 noon 2.10pm 5.05pm

Hunter Chase Evening 4 May 3.30pm 5.35pm 8.25pm

    Cheltenham Gold Cup Dates 2012 Tuesday 13th March - Friday 16th March

For Further Information contact:

Tel: 01242 539 538
Fax: 01242 526 406

Cheltenham Racecourse

Prestbury Park Cheltenham  Gloucestershire GL50 4SH

You may also choose to extend your stay in Cheltenham to explore both Cheltenham Spa town centre and shops, and the surrounding Cotswolds which offer some of the most picturesque villages in England with it's rich warm Cotswold stone architecture which is in contrast to the Regency Architecture of Cheltenham.

Here are a few suggestions of places to visit whilst visiting Cheltenham Racecourse. You may also be looking for somewhere to eat out in Cheltenham visit Activ Cheltenham restaurant section.