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Cheltenham routine

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Nick1976

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So I'm interested on whether people stick to the same routine when coming to Cheltenham. Do you stay overnight and if so do you always stay in the same place. What do you do for breakfast and where do you go before going to the racecourse and where do you end up afterwards.?
If any first timers visiting this year then as a Cheltenham local I can always recommend the best places.
 
We went last year on Gold Cup day.

£90 each and only got three drinks all afternoon. The bar was six deep everywhere. Pissed up Yobbo's being aggressive too.

Me and Mrs Shelby will be watching on the big screen in Broad Street Birmingham this year. I can place bets from my phone in the warm, see all the action and get sloshed at a fraction of the price!
 
We tend to always end up in the Queens hotel Nick. Any recommendations or words of advice would be much appreciated.

Our routine is well established. Catch the train to Gloucester on Monday, straight to the pub to talk racing and watch football. Up early Tuesday, finalise bets and then get a taxi into Cheltenham around 9am. Harry Cook's for breakfast, followed by a slow walk to the course and then let the fun begin.
 
Thomas Shelby said:
We went last year on Gold Cup last year.

£90 each and only got three drinks all afternoon. The bar was six deep everywhere. Pissed up Yobbo's being aggressive too.

Me and Mrs Shelby will be watching on the big screen in Broad Street Birmingham this year. I can place bets from my phone in the warm, see all the action and get sloshed at a fraction of the price!
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Don't go ont Friday anymore, too busy.
Tatts usually easier to get a drink and a bet and have a piss, and cheaper than club.
Istabraq bar above main centaur entrance, easy for a pint and no queue's for a piss, walk down to watch screens and race from behind finish line, and get to almost pat the horses and take selfies as they start the walk back in front of the stands. got a picture of all 7 in 2015 when i went through the card. happy days
 
Stayed in Birmingham last year and same this year. In travelodge (very reasonable) Wetherspoons next door for breakfast. Then train each morning to Cheltenham. Last Thursday never went to fest. Stayed in Brum for last 2 days and found the gem that was the Hennesseys sports bar. Very recommended if staying in Birmingham and not attending fest.

Always like to go to Final Flight Bar at the course too
 
Driving down on the Tuesday, whats it like getting parked up on course? does it go pretty smoothly orr...?
 
Me and the Mrs stay at either manor by the lake in Cheltenham or puckrup hall in tewksbury.


If I'm staying in tewksbury, breakfast at the hotel. relax in the pool, park next to holiday in public car park and a straight walk up to the course. (Where my Mrs gets excited by the free stuff) when back from the races its evening meal at the hotel which is genuinely the best food iv eaten And back to the room .....

If I'm in chelt. Breakfast at the hotel. Taxi to the course. Walk back form the course usually to the all you can eat Chinese. Taxi back to the hotel. Have a walk through the gardens and back to the room....
 
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darlojim said:
Driving down on the Tuesday, whats it like getting parked up on course? does it go pretty smoothly orr...?
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Parked on the course once on a Friday. Was a nightmare to get out. Personally would rather park near the holiday in and walk up. It's very easy to get out the car park. And a nice straight walk up.
 
Geordieboy83 said:
Stayed in Birmingham last year and same this year. In travelodge (very reasonable) Wetherspoons next door for breakfast. Then train each morning to Cheltenham. Last Thursday never went to fest. Stayed in Brum for last 2 days and found the gem that was the Hennesseys sports bar. Very recommended if staying in Birmingham and not attending fest.

Always like to go to Final Flight Bar at the course too
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Hennessey's is quality.

Walkabout bar on Broad Street is good for sports.

The Bull Ring Tavern is cheap and cheerful and very good for racing coverage.
 
Does anyone know if any bars in Nottingham that will have it on?
 
Thomas Shelby said:
Hennessey's is quality.

Walkabout bar on Broad Street is good for sports.

The Bull Ring Tavern is cheap and cheerful and very good for racing coverage.
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Doing Racing Tuesday and Wednesday this year, so will bring going to hennessys again no doubt, but may suggest trying the others mentioned, cheers
 
We (me and the mrs) just take the week off work and sit in our local for 4 days as it gets a nice group of people to watch the racing on 3 big screens.And Friday its packed with us racing folk.The pub has racing uk as well !!
 
Some local tips:
The racecourse car park will be manic. There is free space on the road around Pittville Circus Road. This is a short walk from the racecourse and easier to get out after the races.
Best bars in Cheltenham is Taylor's which are famous for having the best looking bar maids raceweek :). Also if your looking for more lively in the evening then go to Lounge 72 where they do 'beat the barman' all night (you order a round of drinks then pick heads or tails against the barman', if you choose right then you get the same amount of drinks in your round for free). Also all bars on Montpellier are good if you want a good time.
If you want quieter evenings then go to Gloucester. It's not as nice as Cheltenham but is far more quieter with plenty of bars to choose from.
Lots of nice restaurants in Cheltenham but you probably need to book before you go.
Plenty of places to get breakfast. Yates always do a good one to keep you going through the day.
 
Stayed here the last couple years


Get up in the morning, quick shower, and watch the morning show. All head down to Micky O' Malleys for a breakfast, and then back up before racing.

Out into Playas for dinner somewhere in the Safari complex, and then a few drinks. I normally head back around midnight, as I'm the only one that gets up first thing.

This year I'm watching from home, as a couple of the lads couldn't make it :sorrow:
 
Cheers Nick - I'll make sure we head to Lounge 72 and Taylor's after racing then. :very_drunk:
 
I’m at home on the Tuesday but then (for the first time), coming to Cheltenham for the three following days. Staying in Bristol. Breakfasts and dinners paid for in the hotel price (£413 for three nights).

Then off to see my football team Ipswich away at Bristol City on the Saturday. For my sins, I go to most 99% of the games home and away. Then come home late Saturday night.


Absolutely buzzing for it.
 
Middle_Of_March said:
I’m at home on the Tuesday but then (for the first time), coming to Cheltenham for the three following days. Staying in Bristol. Breakfasts and dinners paid for in the hotel price (£413 for three nights).

Then off to see my football team Ipswich away at Bristol City on the Saturday. For my sins, I go to most 99% of the games home and away. Then come home late Saturday night.


Absolutely buzzing for it.
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Good luck with the racing, but I wish you even more luck with the football! I am a Bristol Rovers Fan and you thought following Ipswich was hard!
 
Work commitments will only allow me to go on the Friday.
8am train from Bristol
Breakfast in Weatherspoons or Yates for breakfast in Cheltenham
Racing
Few beers in Cheltenham (hopefully celebrating!)
Train home & sore head on Saturday!
 
Nick1976 said:
Some local tips:
The racecourse car park will be manic. There is free space on the road around Pittville Circus Road. This is a short walk from the racecourse and easier to get out after the races.
Best bars in Cheltenham is Taylor's which are famous for having the best looking bar maids raceweek :). Also if your looking for more lively in the evening then go to Lounge 72 where they do 'beat the barman' all night (you order a round of drinks then pick heads or tails against the barman', if you choose right then you get the same amount of drinks in your round for free). Also all bars on Montpellier are good if you want a good time.
If you want quieter evenings then go to Gloucester. It's not as nice as Cheltenham but is far more quieter with plenty of bars to choose from.
Lots of nice restaurants in Cheltenham but you probably need to book before you go.
Plenty of places to get breakfast. Yates always do a good one to keep you going through the day.
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Good info this Nick, ive been going to Cheltenham for 6-7 years and never heard of Taylors or Lounge 72. We usually stay in Leckhampton and get brekkie either in the norwood arms or the old restoration in Cheltenham centre and spend evening around cheltenham or montpellier usually ending up in club 21. Where abouts in Cheltenham are Taylors & Lounge 72?
 
CauseofCauses said:
Good info this Nick, ive been going to Cheltenham for 6-7 years and never heard of Taylors or Lounge 72. We usually stay in Leckhampton and get brekkie either in the norwood arms or the old restoration in Cheltenham centre and spend evening around cheltenham or montpellier usually ending up in club 21. Where abouts in Cheltenham are Taylors & Lounge 72?
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Lounge 72 is on the corner of High Street and Bath Road and Tailors is on Cambray Place just off the High Street. There's also a decent restaurant (Ox) further down Cambray Place. Some good restaurants and you pay as much as you want. Daffodil is a cool place but I also like the restaurant at the Hotel Du Vin. The Queens has improved its food offerings in recent years so if you find yourself there after racing and don't feel like moving , that's an option (as is Brasserie Blanc next door). Some really good Indian restaurants as well.
Tailors will also be showing the Champions League if anyone's interested and many pubs (and clubs) will show recording of the days racing.

We will be down on the Monday, stay with a couple who offer b&b during the week, have breakfast at the pub, a few pints, up to the course and then reconvene after racing at the Queens and take it from there. We go home and down the pub on Friday.
 
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