If you do not know it yet, we are talking here about the biggest horse racing festival in England that Queen Elisabeth is particularly fond of. Cheltenham Festival is horse racing’s biggest event, and you will love it. Every year over 265,000 spectators as well as participants and fans from all over the world come to Cheltenham Racecourse in Cheltenham located in Gloucestershire in England. The event will take place this year from Tuesday March 15 to Friday March 18, 2022. It always takes place in mid-March and sometimes coincides with Saint Patrick’s Day. One more reason to come and visit the city during the period of the festivities. You would like to attend some races, but you have questions about ticket prices or accommodation in the city, we answer all your questions.
The Cheltenham Festival, a Bit of History Before Embarking on 4 days of Festivities!
The Cheltenham Festival was established in 1860 when the first National Hunt began to exist. The festival was hosted by several racecourses before Prestbury Park in Cheltenham became its permanent site in 1911. It currently features around 30 races over four days including the Champion Bumper, Supreme Novices’ Hurdle, RSA Chase, Triumph Hurdle, Ryanair Chase, Neptune Investment Management’ Hurdle, Arkle Challenge Trophy, plus two of the season’s biggest Hunter Chases. Unlike Royal Ascot which attract many international participants, the Cheltenham Festival mainly attracts the best British and Irish horses and jockeys.
What to Expect During the Festivities?
The long-awaited event for festivalgoers is the Cheltenham Gold Cup. It is one of the most prestigious races in the UK with a grand prize up for grabs of over €500 000. The Cheltenham Gold Cup is held on a huge course that measures over 5 000 meters and is filled with 22 obstacles. This race is often affectionately referred to as the Blue Riband of jump-racing. The second day of racing is traditionally Women’s Day. It’s the special day when you can wear your best hat, a very British tradition. All festival visitors choose the brightest and most extravagant outfits, paying special attention to hairstyles and styling!
How to Attend the Cheltenham Festival races?
The Cheltenham Festival is shown on English TV (on ITV in the UK) and the schedule has been adjusted slightly to allow ITV to show 6 of the races, with coverage ending at 4:30pm. You can also follow the races on all the popular bookmakers who broadcast the races live and offer all the tips for betting well during this long-awaited annual event. But if you prefer to go there directly, it is advisable to buy your tickets in advance. Cheltenham tickets are available to buy now and are already selling very well. If you are unsure which area of the racecourse you would like to go to or which day of the festival you would like to attend, you can check the race details on the official festival website.
Your Accommodation Near Cheltenham Racecourse
For those looking to purchase tickets for two or more days, it is essential to immediately seek out a bed and breakfast near Cheltenham Racecourse. Hotels are also a good option such as the Chase Cheltenham Hotel which sits down in the Cotswold hills about 20 minutes from Cheltenham Racecourse and a few meters from the town centre. It is a 4-star hotel of the Hotels Q hotel chain. It has 120 rooms. You will be able to benefit from free parking, which is practical when you know that the festive period in Cheltenham brings a lot of people to the town and therefore parking spaces are almost impossible to find and overpriced. You will also benefit from breakfast, an indoor swimming pool to relax between two days of racing at the racecourse and completely free Wi-Fi, very practical for consulting the expert horse racing tips available online on dedicated sites. Cheltenham hotels offer every possible advantage, and the value for money is impressive. Moreover, Cheltenham has recently become the favourite destination of English and French tourists. Indeed, the city enjoys a bucolic location in the heart of the Cotswolds region, giving it the status of a romantic city! It is in Great Britain that you could make a very pleasant trip while attending one of the most anticipated events of the year.
