It
goes without saying that the Cheltenham Festival is one of the
highlights of the horseracing calendar, attracting a quarter of a
million people every year. But how do you make the very best of your
festival experience with so many people around, and how can you beat
the crowds to the best parking, the best view, the best restaurants
and the biggest post-race party?
A
successful day for the Cheltenham Festival visitor takes almost as
much planning as it does for the Cheltenham trainers. But with so
much of your day pre-bookable online at the
Cheltenham Festival website, with a little forethought you can
lead the field from the starting gate to the finish line and beyond.
Pre-booking
parking not only saves you time and hassle on the day, it also
guarantees you a space for around half the price. Book online for
just £8 per day, or you will pay £15 on the gate and risk being
turned away when the car parks are full.
The
next most important thing is to book your stand to guarantee your
spot for the big races. The best value is the Best Mate stand, which
is just £40 a day for the first three days and £55 on Gold Cup day.
This is opposite the main stand and gives you a great view, although
you won’t have the same access to additional areas as other ticket
holders do. At £55 / £70, Tattseralls offers grandstand views, as
well as access to pre- and post-race areas such as the parade ring
and unsaddling area. You’ll also get access to the Hall of Fame and
the Shopping Village, making it well worth the extra few pounds.
Top
of the line is The Club, the most exclusive enclosure at the
Festival, costing £85 (or £110 on Gold Cup Day). This badge
includes all areas access, including the very best views, the finest
restaurants and much more. The Club badge also allows you access
to the
famous Final Flight Bar, where you’ll find live music and a
great party atmosphere from the moment the final horse crosses the
line until late into the night. The Final Flight Bar is a major
attraction at The Festival, and if you don’t book in advance, you
may not get in at all. Tickets for the bar start at £30, in addition
to your Club badge or Annual Membership.
With
several restaurants overlooking the course, you can dine
in style at Cheltenham without missing a moment of the action.
For the best pre-race views, check out Champions Walk (which
overlooks the horsewalk) and the Paddock View Restaurant (which
overlooks the parade ring). For views of the course itself, try Chez
Roux at Cheltenham or the Panoramic Restaurant, both of which have
breathtaking views across the course. You can book ticket and
restaurant packages in advance to guarantee your table and claim the
best possible view.
Of
course, you don’t have to pay fancy restaurant prices to satisfy
your hunger at Cheltenham, with a huge range of food outlets catering
to every budget. That said, if you pick the right horse from
the Cheltenham
Festival odds, you might just be able to upgrade that beer and a
burger to fine wine and a filet steak!
At
the end of the day, Cheltenham should be a great day out, with as
little stress and hassle as possible, so plan ahead and make sure you
make the most of the fantastic Festival experience.