A Guide to your First Cheltenham Festival

The thought of saying goodbye to a long, warm summer and a thrilling Flat season may be a little hard to bear. With the final British Classic of 2026 now behind us, the evenings are drawing in and Autumn is on its way. But while the Flat season may be winding down, our thoughts are already turning to the biggest dates in the Jump racing calendar, the Cheltenham Festival.

For racing fans, March can feel a long way away. But for those planning their first trip to the Cheltenham Festival, there’s no such thing as being too prepared. From deciding what to wear and planning your journey, to choosing where to watch the racing and, of course, finding the right premium experience, there’s plenty to think about.

Now is the perfect time to start, whispers of horses’ jump campaigns are beginning to turn into solid plans, will we see another Festival dominated by Willie Mullins and will Gaelic Warrior and Paul Townend retain their Boodles Cheltenham Gold Cup crown?

Welcome to the Home of Jump Racing

October marks the start of the Jump season, as the first signs of Autumn begin to appear and the nights draw in, the countdown to the Cheltenham Festival can officially begin.

The Cheltenham Festival is one of the highlights of the British sporting calendar, bringing together four days of world-class jump racing, thousands of racegoers and an atmosphere that is difficult to replicate anywhere else.

But there is so much more to one’s Festival experience than seeing horse racing legends up close. From restaurants and private boxes to lively bars, street-food-style options and everything in between, there are plenty of ways to make a day at Cheltenham Racecourse feel special, and if it’s your first Festival, a little planning can go a long way.

How to plan your first day at the Cheltenham Festival

1. Decide what kind of Festival experience you want
   Before anything else, think about what you want from your day. There are various ticket types and ranges of premium experiences that you can choose from starting with the Platinum Suite Marquee up to a seat in Chez Roux. Are you planning a day with friends? Or entertaining clients? There is no single way to experience the Cheltenham Festival. For some, it’s all about being amongst the crowds, soaking up the atmosphere and making the most of the day. For others, the restaurants and private boxes offer a more relaxed base with food, drinks and dedicated spaces to return to throughout the day.
   
   
2. Consider Cheltenham Festival Hospitality
   Hospitality can be a great way to make your first Festival particularly memorable. From a special lunch with friends and family to entertaining clients or rewarding colleagues, the right hospitality package can give you a dedicated space to enjoy the day overlooking the racing action. Cheltenham’s restaurant hospitality ranges from fine dining and à la carte experiences to more relaxed options such as a table in The Mandarin and Horse & Groom, Cheltenham’s pub experiences. There are various restaurants offering views across the racecourse or towards the Winners Enclosure, and our dedicated culinary team make the most of seasonal and local produce, every dish has a meaningful story which is told through each menu.
   
   The Four Eighty restaurant highlights this value by ensuring every ingredient is sourced within 60 miles (four hundred and eighty furlongs) of Cheltenham Racecourse. If you are looking for something more private, a Long Run Balcony Box gives you your own space for the day, with private dining, a dedicated host, your own bar and viewing of the racing. Festival boxes can accommodate groups of around 30–50 guests, making them particularly suited to corporate entertaining, milestone celebrations or a day with a large group of friends and family. It is no secret that Cheltenham is arguably the biggest racecourse in the UK, think about where your hospitality space is situated and how easily you can get to watch the racing, bars and other areas of the racecourse. The temporary village offers the best of both worlds, close to bars, the Guinness Village and in the heart of the racing action overlooking the final fence.
   
   
3. What should you wear to the Cheltenham Festival?
   Part of the fun of the Festival is dressing for the occasion. By March, you can expect the racecourse to be filled with wonderful colours, tweed, and outfits that have had months of planning. But while looking the part is important, so is being comfortable and warm for the unpredictable early Spring weather, there is no dress code to abide by. You’ll likely be spending plenty of time on your feet and moving between different areas of the racecourse, so practical footwear and layers are always a must. The weather can also be unpredictable, so check the forecast before you leave and prepare for the possibility of everything from sunshine to showers.
   
   
4. Where is the best place to watch the racing?
   One of the best things about the Cheltenham Festival is the number of ways to watch the action. The atmosphere around the track is a huge part of the experience. Hearing the famous “Cheltenham Roar” as the horses approach the start of the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle on the Tuesday is truly spine tingling, and watching the winner gallop towards the finish in the Boodles Cheltenham Gold Cup is something that simply cannot be replicated on a screen. If you have hospitality, make sure you know where your nearest viewing areas are and plan your day around the races you most want to see. Most of our hospitality areas offer spectacular viewing so you really won’t need to go far.
   
   
5. Plan Your journey to Cheltenham
   Like any major event, Cheltenham is extremely busy during Festival week, so don't leave your travel arrangements until the last minute. Whether you're travelling by car, train or coach, check your route ahead of time and allow plenty of time for your journey. If you're travelling as part of a large group, consider organising transport in advance, the racecourse offers coach parking. Having everyone arrive together can make the day much easier to manage and means you can start enjoying the Cheltenham Festival from the moment you set off. 6. Plan Your day around the Racing It's easy to get caught up in trying to plan every minute of your Festival experience.
   
   The Cheltenham Festival is famous for its atmosphere, and some of the best moments can happen away from the racing itself, whether that's discovering a new food spot, wandering the shopping village, dancing to one of the many bands that are playing in between and after racing or simply taking in the crowds. Build your day around the races you don't want to miss, but don't be afraid to leave a little time to explore.

Make Hospitality part of the Experience

For first time Festival goers, hospitality can offer the perfect balance between enjoying the excitement of the racecourse and having somewhere to relax throughout the day. Great hospitality is about more than simply providing food and drink. It's about creating an experience that complements the racing, from the welcome you receive and the atmosphere around you to the food on your plate and the service throughout the day.

And at an event as iconic as the Cheltenham Festival, those details can make all the difference. So, as Autumn arrives and thoughts turn towards March, now is the perfect time to start planning your Cheltenham Festival experience for 2027.