CHELTENHAM RACECOURSE. |
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Skip to Enclosures and Hospitality.
Introduction:Following the discovery of mineral water springs in 1716, Cheltenham rapidly developed as a Regency health and holiday resort. As the town grew, so did the need for social amenities. In 1815, one method of satisfying this need was demonstrated in the first staging of an unofficial race meeting, which was held on Nottingham Hill, above Bishops Cleeve. By 1818, the annual race meeting at Cheltenham became part of the official racing calendar. The record books show, the first official winner at Cheltenham was, Miss Tidmarsh, a five year old bay mare. The first three day meeting took place in 1819, and a three mile race for a gold cup was won by a horse called, Spectre. Following religiously inspired anti horse racing riots in 1829, the Cheltenham meeting had a chequered history until Mister Baring Bingham bought the Prestbury Park site in 1898. A grandstand and running rails were constructed, and the new Cheltenham Prestbury Park facilities hosted their first two day meeting in 1902. In 1924, the first modern Cheltenham Gold Cup was won by Red Splash. The rest, as they say, is history. The modern five hundred acre racecourse site nestles in a natural amphitheatre of the surrounding Cotswold foothills. Every March, around Saint Patrick's day, Cheltenham stages its Festival Meeting, which many regard as the unofficial annual world championships for national hunt racing. Each year, titanic battles take place on Cheltenham's hallowed turf, and through the ringing endorsements of huge crowds, new champions are crowned. However, Cheltenham is not just about the Festival Meeting. In November, the Paddy Power Gold Cup is one of the early attractions of the national hunt season. The traditional new years day meeting attracts large crowds, as does the hunter chaser evening each May. Great prices and extra places, when you sign up with the sponsors of the Paddy Power Goldcup:
Track facts:
Cheltenham concentrates on national hunt racing, and boasts three different courses. The two main courses are regulation national hunt circuits, and are simply named, the Old, and New courses. As Cheltenham is the United Kingdoms headquarters of national hunt racing, the two courses have very testing fences, severe undulations, some sharp bends, and galloping straights. The Old steeplechase course is run left handed, and is eleven and a half furlongs in circumference. It has nine fences laid out in the following order: two plain fences, the water jump, first open ditch, a plain fence, the second ditch, and three more plain fences. On the final circuit, before the winning post, there is only one fence in the home straight. The corresponding hurdles course is a mile and a half in circumference, and has six flights. Once again, on the final circuit, there is only one obstacle in the home straight. The New steeplechase course is constantly on the turn, and is a very sharp and galloping track. The course is also run left handed, and is one and a half miles in circumference. In a complete circuit there are ten fences, laid out as follows: a plain fence, the water jump, first open ditch, another plain fence, the second ditch fence, two further plain fences, and then a pronounced downhill run to another three plain fences. The third last precedes the final turn, and is considered to be one of the most difficult fences on the course. The remaining two fences are sited on the home straight. After the last jump, there is a relatively steep climb up the Cheltenham hill to the winning post, and many a race changes hands on this uphill run to the finish. The New hurdles course is twelve and a half furlongs in circumference, and comprises six unevenly dispersed flights. From the winning post, there is a long run to four successive hurdles in the back straight. This is then followed by another flat section of two and a half furlongs to the fifth flight. Another long run then follows to the only hurdle in the home straight. After the last hurdle, there is a long run in, including the Cheltenham Hill, and winning horses have to combine pace with stamina. The Old and New courses have an adjoining chute, which enables the staging of various race distances, including: two miles, two miles one furlong, two and a half miles, two miles five furlongs, three miles, and three miles one furlong. The length of the chute to the Old course intersection is six and three quarter furlongs, whereas the length to the New course intersection is only six furlongs. The chute contains five plain steeplechase fences, and three hurdles. The third course is a Cross Country figure of eight. It has been constructed inside the national hunt tracks, and comprises all manor of fences, hedges, dips and banks. In essence, it reconstructs the terrain which would have been encountered in the original steeple to steeple chases. However, due to its compact nature, this course is constantly on the turn, and tends to benefit course specialists. To enhance the enjoyment of the grandstand crowds, this circuit joins the Old course for its final three furlongs. To win a major prize on either of the main national hunt tracks at Cheltenham, a horse has to have three main qualities: First, because of the undulations and turning nature of the courses, a potential winner has to be well balanced and sure of foot. Second, most of the top races at Cheltenham are run at a full gallop. A potential winner must be able to cruise at speed, while maintaining some reserves for the final stages of the race. This combination of stamina and pace is most desirable on the New Course. Third, the galloping nature of the track, combined with large fields of runners, and tough fences, make it essential for a potential winner to have the athleticism and agility to jump cleanly while racing at speed. It is worth noting, many winning novices at Cheltenham go on to further successes on the course in later years. Super Prices available from the 100% british bookmaker and sponsors of the Coral Cup:
Enclosures and hospitality:
The listings below do not include the facilities available to Annual Members, Owners and Trainers, and Corporate Guests. These can be obtained by contacting the racecourse. Club Ticket. At the Festival Meeting, this ticket provides access to the Club Enclosure. This includes the stepped area of the Grandstand overlooking the final furlong and winning post. There is also access to the members lawn, and all the other public areas of the racecourse. By booking in advance, groups of Club ticket holders can dine in comfort, while obtaining unsurpassed views of the racecourse from the Panoramic Restaurant. They can also take advantage of the fine facilities of the Fox hunters Restaurant, or just enjoy the convivial atmosphere in the well stocked bar and buffet areas of the Club enclosure. Tattersall's Ticket. For most Cheltenham race meetings, the Club and Tattersall's tickets are combined, with access being available to unreserved seating in the third level of the Grandstand. However, during the Cheltenham Festival, these ticket holders obtain views of the finishing straight from a separate stepped area of the Grandstand. They maintain usual access to the parade ring, the winners enclosure, and the Centaur seating and giant screen facilities at the rear of the Grandstand. Catering facilities include the Gold Cup Restaurant, plus several other bar and snack areas. At the festival, Tattersall's is expanded by the Guinness Pavilion. This temporary structure is situated near the last jump on the home straight, and provides extra seated, and stepped viewing of the run in, along with plentiful bar and snack facilities. Best Mate Ticket. This enclosure faces the main Grandstand. It has its own stand facilities, which provide good views of the racing action. There is also a Harry Ramsdens fish and chip restaurant, plus other bar and snack facilities. For winter attire, binoculars and racing accessories visit our amazon shop: Disabled facilities:There are specialist facilities in all enclosures, plus a viewing platform overlooking the parade ring. For full details, it is recommended you contact the racecourse authority. Contact details follow below. For the earliest odds on cheltenham festival races sign up with the sponsors of The Ladbrokes World Hurdle:
Fixtures.Friday 16 October 2009. Saturday 17 October 2009. Friday 13 November 2009. Saturday 14 November 2009. Sunday 15 November 2009. Friday 11 December 2009. Saturday 12 December 2009. Great Prices, and additional places from the sponsors of The Boylesports International:
TRANSPORT LINKS.By Road:The racecourse is situated two miles north of Cheltenham town centre. From the North, leave the M5 at either junctions 10, or 11. From the South, you can only leave the M5 at junction 11. Join the A40, and follow the many signs for the racecourse. From London and Oxford, follow the A40, and then the signs to the racecourse. Car parking is free, except for the Festival Meeting. As part of an energy conservation programme, the racecourse management would like to encourage Car Sharing. Logbook Loans: If you own your own car, you can obtain an un-secured loan for personal or business use. For full details, click below.
By Rail:There are direct services from many major towns and cities including, London, Plymouth, Bristol, Cardiff, Birmingham, Manchester, Newcastle, Glasgow, and Edinburgh. The railway station is situated about two miles from the racecourse. For the Festival, and Open Meetings, there is a shuttle bus service which starts two hours before the first race, and returns after the last race. For other race meetings, taxis are available at the station, or a bus service operates from the city centre, which is about half a mile from the railway station. For those who want a special treat, Racing Tours offer a steam train service from Toddington station, directly to Cheltenham racecourse station.
By Bus:National Express coaches offer many services into Cheltenham bus station. The Stagecoach company run their, D bus service to the racecourse. This bus runs every ten minutes during the day, and approximately hourly in the evenings and on Sundays. The 527 bus service also stops at the racecourse roundabout, and leaves a short walk to the course entrance. For full information on all national coach connections click the link below. By Air:The nearest international airports are Birmingham, 40 miles, and Bristol, 50 miles. Bristol airport have a direct bus service from the airport to Bristol Temple Meads railway station, with direct train services then operating to Cheltenham Spa. Subject to prior permission, helicopters may land on the racecourse. For the best anti-post and Raceday odds, join the online sports book of the sponsers of the William Hill Trophy:
CONTACT DETAILS.Address: Cheltenham Racecourse, Prestbury Park, Cheltenham, GL50 4SH.Tel No: 01242 51 30 14.Fax No: 01242 22 42 27.Great Phones, Great Deals only at: ACCOMMODATION.Holiday Inn Gloucester Cheltenham, off M5.
Situated near the M5, the City of Gloucester, Cheltenham racecourse, and the picturesque Cotswolds, the Holiday Inn Gloucester Cheltenham is in the perfect location. The hotel has 125 air conditioned guest rooms, all with en suite facilities, remote controlled and interactive television, high speed internet access, and as you would expect, a full range of room amenities which come as standard. The hotel can also offer suites, executive rooms, and rooms for the physically challenged. All guests can enjoy 24 hour room service, and same day dry cleaning is available on request. In the Traders Restaurant, we offer a menu which combines old favourites with a range of modern dishes. Alternatively, visitors can relax in the Traders Bar and Lounge, which offers an all day hot and cold snack facility. The hotel has its Spirit Health and Fitness Centre, which includes; an air conditioned gym, Swimming pool, steam room, spa, and sauna. Although advanced booking is recommended, the hotel also offers a full range of beauty treatments, including St Tropez tanning.
Dial House Hotel Bourton on the Water. Tel no: 01451 822 244.
With perfect symmetry of old and new, the Dial House Hotel provides its guests with the ultimate country house experience. Built in 1698, the original house is constructed from attractive Cotswold's stone, and is the oldest surviving building in the village of Bourton on the Water. Now refurbished to the highest standards, and just thirty minutes from Cheltenham racecourse, Dial House forms an idyllic base for race goers who also want to absorb the beauty and tranquility of the Cotswold's. Upon request, the hotel management can also easily arrange transport to and from the racecourse.
Incorporating the finest décor, fabrics and furnishings, each of the hotel's 13 guest rooms exudes individuality and comfort. All rooms offer en suite facilities, some with larger baths. Remote controlled television, wi-fi internet access and many other room facilities come as standard, but for guests seeking some extra luxuries, Dial House offers one suite, and two four poster rooms.
One of the reasons guests return several times each year is the food, The Dial House restaurant's head chef chooses the best seasonal produce from local farms, and then creates an uncomplicated menu of exquisite dishes. Meals can be enjoyed in the main restaurant, or when the weather is fine, guests can dine 'al fresco' in the hotel's walled garden. The Summer House can also be booked for intimate and secluded dining. The hotel's bar and sitting room has a wonderful ambience, and is the ideal place to relax in front of a blazing fire during the chilly months of the year, and especially after a successful day at the races. |
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