Essential Guide To The Cheltenham Festival 2025

Essential Guide To The Cheltenham Festival

Four days a year, the chance of a lifetime and unique in the world of horse racing. Hats and fashion are still on vivid display but Cheltenham is much more about the horses, the jockeys, the trainers and the public. 

Tens of thousands make their pilgrimage to Gloucestershire, announcing their arrival with the magnificent Cheltenham roar. The time has come to travel. Presumably, you've bought your ticket and the big day has arrived.

Hopefully, you have studied all the horse racing form and selected your winners.

Those travelling to Cheltenham should make note of up-to-the-minute travel news outlets for their method of choice. Whatever method that is, the main advice from OLBG members and others is to GET THERE EARLY!!

The Schedule - Tuesday

Cheltenham Festival races for Tuesday 11th March 2025

Prepare for the ROAR of the Cheltenham Festival on the opening day when the tape goes up for the Supreme Novices Hurdle, the feature on Tuesday is the Champion Hurdle.

The Schedule - Wednesday

Cheltenham Festival races for Wednesday 12th March 2025

The dust has settled on the opening day of the Cheltenham Festival and now on to day two. The feature on the second day is the Queen Mother Champion Chase. We also have the cross country scheduled on Wednesday, a race like Marmite, some love it and some don't!

The Schedule - Thursday

Cheltenham Festival races for Thursday 13th March 2025

Halfway through the festival and onto day three where the Stayers Hurdle is the feature race. A hurdle race to test the stamina and see how can last best up the Cheltenham hill.

The Schedule - Friday

Cheltenham Festival races for Friday 14th March 2025

The final day of the festival and feature race that we have all been waiting for, the Cheltenham Gold Cup in which the Irish have been fairly dominant in recent years.

Cheltenham Festival - By Car

Cheltenham Racecourse advises people to follow the signs when close to the racecourse which will guide you to the pick-up & drop-off areas, this is at the West Car Park which is a five-minute walk from the entrances.

Cheltenham Racecourse member Jennywales says the routes to the car parks have changed slightly and whilst at first, it may appear you've entered a cross-country rally, follow the signs for your designated area. 

The Cheltenham website gives full details on the car parking arrangements.

• Those with prepaid parking at the course can view the various coded areas here - Parking
• Constantly updated travel map for the Cheltenham area. Travel Map
• Any accidents and appropriate diversions are reported here by Gloucestershire Police Road Incident Updates

There will be delays and diversions near the M5 to the north of Cheltenham between Tewkesbury and Worcester during the festival week. This website - Roadworks.org - displays all current and planned roadworks for the area and offers an email update facility.

Several places close to the track offer parking for the day. For example, parking and refreshments are available at Southam Village Hall, within a short walk of the racecourse. Check local press and social media for other similar offers.

Cheltenham Festival - By Train

OLBG Blog Content Manager and festival stalwart Nors advises anyone travelling via Birmingham to arrive there early as queues are potentially very long.

Taxis from Cheltenham Spa train station to the racecourse take approximately ten minutes.

Anyone intending to use a bus between the station and the racecourse should read the relevant “By Bus“ section below.

Arrivals boards with the facility to receive disruption alerts - Just click the name of the relevant station

• Birmingham New Street
• Cheltenham Spa
• Bristol Temple Meads

Cheltenham Festival - By Bus

To Cheltenham National Express offer a Cheltenham Festival service, arriving at the course well before the first race and leaving after the racing finishes.

Click this link - National Express Cheltenham booking page - and use the drop-down menus on the left

In Cheltenham Stagecoach offers a bus service during the Festival, with pickups in the town centre and en route.

Details can be found here: Stagecoach Festival Bus Service

Cheltenham Festival - At The Course

Cheltenham has updated its racecourse map specifically for the festival and it can be viewed here: Cheltenham Racecourse Map

Most, if not all of us, will be aware of the significant changes to the course and grandstands.

Cheltenham Racecourse and The Jockey Club have invested millions in improving facilities and if this is your first visit to the track this season then take a few minutes to view the above map and also images online and on social media websites.

OLBG's Jennywales mentions the Tapas Bar ( formerly Hurdler's Hall ), which could be fun if the weather changes!

And if you like to fill out your placepots slips next to a statue of your favourite Cheltenham legend then a few of these have been relocated: it seems Arkle was bored and has now moved to the second tier at the head of the parade ring ( also improved with a new concourse at its entrance )

Luggage or bags can be deposited at the Left Luggage facility, #12 bottom left of the map in the North Car Park. 

The first thing I do after arriving at the course is to make my way to the stands next to the finish line and look out across Prestbury Park towards Cleeve Hill. 

The view is spectacular yet also feels like an artist might when looking upon a blank canvas or a writer on a blank page "The possibilities yet to unfold, what drama awaits. 

This is where I stand when the tape goes up for the festival opener, the Supreme Novices Hurdle. However, as you can see below, it can get rather busy so get there early!

The advice from many OLBG members is to get these done early. 

Placepots and any accumulators or Lucky 15s can be placed at several locations, with the Centaur building being a popular and thus busy location.

OLBG is the ideal place for betting tips and useful information when selecting a horse for any of the 28 races during the week. 

Place Your Bets!

Read the blogs and tipping advice,

Take advantage of the bookmaker offers by accessing the relevant sections from the menus at the top of the page or visit the dedicated site for the Cheltenham Festival.