Why Cheltenham Festival Is A Must-Visit Venue

Source: Racing Post via Twitter

As we approach the cold, dark winter months, with the elements sending us into the warmth of our houses, we’ll soon be longing for the warmer climates of spring and summer. Planning your trips for the months ahead is an exciting prospect and will get you through the dark nights and cold mornings before the temperatures take a turn for the better.

For lovers of horse racing – there will be one venue on their minds. Cheltenham Festival in the second week of March. Experts of the sport will already be tracking horses in the early stages of the National Hunt campaign in preparation for the meet.

One such competitor is well worth tracking over the course of the season – Irish horse Fayonagh – following his win at Fairyhouse; the horse is already backed in the Novices Hurdle betting odds as a leading contender for the crown at Cheltenham.

The lure of the Festival is apparent for horse racing enthusiasts – seeing the elite of the National Hunt face off for the highest of stakes. Even people who are not aficionados of the sport are taken in by the magic of the festival, with the propensity of a great day at Cheltenham Racecourse, indulging in a beverage or two and the excitement of punting.

In 2015, the Festival averaged 62,000 per day over the course of the week, with 265,000 pints of Guinness and 120,000 bottles of wine being consumed in the process, highlighting the joys of the festivities.

The feeling of getting suited and booted for the event is also a lure, with the venue catering for over 40,000 guests throughout the week. Heading to the races can always be an enjoyable experience even by heading to your local track, but Cheltenham Festival takes the experience to the next level.

Source: Glos OPCC via Twitter

Horse racing is not for everyone and there will be spouses and significant others dragged to the event. However, there are plenty of things to do in Cheltenham and the surrounding areas, with the Chapel Spa perhaps the most alluring prospect, offering the chance to kick back and relax while the racing is on.

Alternatively, the Cotswold’s landscape is in the vicinity. The scenery in the region is beautiful, and at the beginning of March, the early signs of spring will be present enhancing the experience for walking and cycling tours. For the more adventurous there are opportunities to head out on the water, with windsurfing a highlight at the Cotswold Water Park.

At night there are more than enough bars and restaurants situated in Cheltenham to keep parties of all ages satisfied. For those who enjoy a quiet drink, there are the real ale pubs, with one of the unique experiences in the area being the Railway, providing a different vibe from your usual public house. For the younger generation, Cheltenham is not the party capital of the world, but after a full day at the races, there are clubs to keep the drinks flowing into the wee hours of the morning.