Cheltenham Races Explained: A First-Timer's Guide
Cheltenham races explained for a first visit: hurdles, chases and bumpers, the 2027 Festival days, which enclosure to book, what to wear, the shuttle bus, how betting works and the cheaper race days to try first.
In short: Cheltenham races are jump races: hurdles, bigger fences called chases, and the odd flat race called a bumper. The Cheltenham Festival runs from Tuesday 16 to Friday 19 March 2027, seven races a day, gates at 10.30am. Book Tattersalls for the Parade Ring, dress smart and warm, and take the Stagecoach shuttle (£10 return). For a cheaper first go, try The November Meeting, 13 to 15 November 2026, from £13.50.
Cheltenham races explained for a first visit: what the racing is, which ticket to buy, what to wear, how to get there and how a bet works. Every fact comes from Cheltenham Racecourse's own pages and the venues' own sites, checked on 21 October 2026.
| Day | Date | Name | Feature race |
|---|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Tue 16 March 2027 | Champion Day | Champion Hurdle |
| Day 2 | Wed 17 March 2027 | Ladies Day | Queen Mother Champion Chase |
| Day 3 | Thu 18 March 2027 | St Patrick's Thursday | Ryanair Chase and Stayers' Hurdle |
| Day 4 | Fri 19 March 2027 | Gold Cup Day | Cheltenham Gold Cup |
Cheltenham races explained: what kind of racing is it?
Cheltenham is a jump racing course, which the sport officially calls National Hunt racing. The Festival is its biggest meeting: four days and 28 races, with a Grade 1 championship as the main event each day.
- 🪵 Hurdles: smaller obstacles, at least 3½ feet high
- 🌲 Chases: races over larger fences
- 🏁 Bumpers: flat races under jump rules, for young horses
- ⚖️ Handicaps: weights set to even out the field
The feature race goes off at 4pm each day. The first race is at 1.20pm and the last at 5.20pm on the racecourse's 2027 schedule, which it says may change.
Which enclosure should I book at Cheltenham?
Tattersalls suits most first-timers: you see the horses in the Parade Ring, then watch from the heart of the course. On Champion Day, Tuesday 16 March, the racecourse lists adult tickets at £102 in the Club Enclosure, £70 in Tattersalls and £47 in Best Mate; other days may cost more.
Cheltenham Racecourse
Three enclosures at the Festival. Club gives the main grandstand, the Members' lawn and the winning post, plus every Tattersalls area. Tattersalls adds the Parade Ring and the Guinness Village. Best Mate sits opposite the grandstand, with a covered stand and a head-on view down the home straight.
- ⏰ Gates 10.30am at the Festival
- 🎟️ Champion Day: Club £102, Tattersalls £70, Best Mate £47
- 💳 Cashless bars and food
- 📍 Evesham Road, GL50 4SH
Good to know: the racecourse tips are to arrive when the gates open, when you may see jockeys and trainers arrive, and to reach the pre-parade ring 20 minutes before a race to watch the horses being saddled.
What do you wear to Cheltenham races?
Smart and warm. There is no formal dress code, but the racecourse encourages people to dress up for the Festival. At other meetings it asks you to come "dressed to feel your best", and clean trainers and jeans are fine.
Bring layers and an umbrella, as much of the course is uncovered, and shoes you can walk in. During the Festival, fancy dress is not allowed in the Club Enclosure, restaurants or hospitality. Leave team kits at home.
How do I get to Cheltenham Racecourse?
By shuttle bus. At the Festival, Stagecoach runs a dedicated service from Cheltenham Spa station and the town centre to the course: £10 return, or £6.50 single for the afternoon run home.
- 🚶 Station to course: 30 to 40 minutes on foot
- 🚗 Festival parking: pass bought in advance only
- 🅿️ Park and Ride from Arle Court
- 📍 Off junction 11 of the M5
Good to know: there are no parking sales on the day at the Festival. Parking is free at most other meetings, apart from the Saturday of The November Meeting.
How does betting work at the races?
Pick a horse and back it with the Tote or with a bookmaker in the betting ring. With the Tote, winners share a pool. A win bet pays if your horse wins. An each-way bet is two bets, one to win and one to place, so £2 each way costs £4.
The course is cashless for food and drink. Bookmakers on course take cash, and Tote points take debit cards and mobile pay. On the racecard, a horse's form reads left to right, with its most recent run on the right.
Is there a cheaper race day to try first?
Yes. The November, Christmas and New Year's Day meetings start at £13.50, and under 18s go free at every Cheltenham fixture except the Festival if their ticket is booked ahead.
- 🏇 The November Meeting: 13 to 15 Nov, from £13.50
- 🎄 The Christmas Meeting: 11 and 12 Dec, from £13.50
- 🥂 New Year's Day: 1 Jan 2027, from £13.50
- 🏆 Festival Trials Day: 30 Jan 2027, from £42
Good to know: the Panoramic Restaurant on Friday 13 November was sold out online when we checked, with limited spaces by phone. At the Festival, children aged 5 and over need a half-price ticket, younger children go free with a ticket, and every under 18 needs an adult over 21.
Where to stay, eat and drink near the racecourse
Six places in our directory between the course and the town centre, all checked on their own sites. More in the race-week guide and our guide to where to stay in Cheltenham.
No.38 The Park
A Georgian townhouse hotel that calls itself the closest to the racecourse, about a 15-minute walk away. All rooms take dogs.
- 🍳 Breakfast from 7am
- 🐕 Dogs £25 a night
- 🪜 Three floors, no lift
- 📍 Evesham Road, Pittville
Cotswold Grange
A boutique hotel between the racecourse and the town centre, with breakfast in a hand-painted breakfast room.
- 🍳 Breakfast included if you book direct
- 🪜 Stairs only, no lift
- 📍 Pittville Circus Road, Pittville
Turtle Bay Cheltenham
A Caribbean restaurant and bar about 20 minutes' walk from the course, by its own count. It takes groups of any size.
- 🍹 2 for 1 cocktails all day
- 🥂 Bottomless brunch £46
- 🐕 Dog friendly
- 📍 Albion Street, Town Centre
Good to know: it serves a different menu on event days.
The Istanbul Kitchen
A Turkish restaurant for a proper dinner after racing: breads baked in the traditional way, kebabs and plenty for vegetarians and vegans.
- ⏰ Daily from 12pm, to 10pm (Sun 9pm)
- 📅 Book online
- 📍 Winchcombe Street, Town Centre
The Coconut Tree Cheltenham
Sri Lankan sharing plates and cocktails, open until midnight on Fridays and Saturdays.
- ⏰ Food Fri and Sat 12pm to 10pm
- 🍹 2 cocktails for £12
- 📍 St Paul's Road, Pittville
33 The Rum Bar
A cosy, dog-friendly rum and cocktail bar on Prestbury Road. Drinks only, and over 18s only.
- ⏰ Tue to Fri from 4pm, Sat from 2pm
- 🍹 Happy hour 5pm to 7pm
- 📍 Prestbury Road, Pittville
Cheltenham races for first-timers: questions
What is the difference between a hurdle and a chase?
Hurdles are the smaller obstacles, at least three and a half feet high. Chases, short for steeplechases, are run over larger fences.
Which enclosure is best for a first time at Cheltenham?
Tattersalls suits most first-timers, as it includes the Parade Ring and the Guinness Village. Club adds the main grandstand and the winning post, and Best Mate gives a head-on view down the home straight.
Is there a dress code at the Cheltenham Festival?
There is no formal dress code, but the racecourse encourages people to dress up for the Festival. Fancy dress is not allowed in the Club Enclosure, restaurants or hospitality during the Festival.
Can you pay with cash at Cheltenham Racecourse?
Only for betting. Food and drink are cashless, while on-course bookmakers take cash and Tote points take debit cards.
Do under 18s go free at Cheltenham races?
Yes at every Cheltenham fixture except the Festival, if booked ahead. At the Festival, children aged 5 and over need a half-price ticket.