Cheltenham Racecourse Travel
Hundreds of thousands of people travel to Cheltenham Racecourse for the Festival each year. As a result, race-goers are encouraged to use transport options other than travel by car. Alternatively, visit www.carsharegloucestershire.com or call 08700 111199 for information about sharing a car to get the Festival and the Cheltenham Gold Cup racecourse.
Travel information boards at the three main entrances to the Cheltenham course provide updated bus and train timetables, cycle routes and car sharing and walking options.
For general information about travel and accommodation in and around Cheltenham, visit www.visitcheltenham.info.
Cheltenham Gold Cup Racecourse Travel
Cheltenham marks the start of the Cotswolds. It has good road and rail connections with London airports, Birmingham and Bristol, and with the South East. Public transport between Cheltenham and villages in the Cotswolds or to Stratford, Bath and Oxford is also available.
Car
The Cheltenham course is about 9 miles from Gloucester. Getting there from London Heathrow involves a drive of about 86 miles. By car, it’s 42 miles from Bristol, 56 miles from Birmingham, and 122 miles from Manchester. Signs at the Racecourse will guide you to available car parks.
During the Festival, parking costs £10 or, with advance booking, £8. At other times, parking is free.
Check for recommended routes using the AA Road Planner.
Train
For the duration of the Cheltenham Festival, a bus link to Cheltenham course is provided from Cheltenham Spa Station, from two hours before racing starts and after racing. Taxis are also available at the station.
Alternatively, you can choose to travel to the Cheltenham Racecourse in style, via steam train. Racing Tours Limited offers several steam train packages for getting to the Cheltenham Festival, some including breakfast and accommodation in Cheltenham. This is a very popular way of getting to the Cheltenham Festival, so make your booking as early as possible. For information, contact Racing Tours Limited at 01386834013 or visit the Racing Tours Limited web site.
Bus
For local stagecoach information, call 0870 6082608.
Stagecoach service D runs to the Cheltenham Racecourse seven days a week. On weekdays, the service runs every 10 minutes during the day and between 10 minutes and every hour in the evenings. On Sundays, the service runs hourly.
Service 527 also provides a regular service from Cheltenham Centre to Bishops Cleeve and Gotherington, via the Cheltenham Racecourse Roundabout.
Bicycle
Cheltenham Racecourse provides 52 secure bicycle parks, opposite the entrances to the Centaur and Best Mate enclosures.
Helicopter
The adventurous can choose to avoid the traffic and travel to the Cheltenham Racecourse by helicopter. For more information, contact Robert Kelly on 01453 821 307 or visit www.helipad.co.uk.
