The Cheltenham Festival
The Cheltenham Festival from The Carlton
A chauffeured day at the Cheltenham Festival, starting from The Carlton. Guests at The Carlton are collected from the hotel entrance. It stands on Railway Terrace, CV21 3HE. The nearest station by road is Rugby, about 2 minutes away. 81.7 miles separate The Carlton from Cheltenham Racecourse: about an hour and 23 minutes on the M6, M42 and M5. Compared with a Mayfair start, it is 49 minutes less in the car. The Cheltenham Festival returns 16–19 March 2027. Gates open at 10:30 on each of the four days, with a preview show in the Parade Ring at 12:25.
How the day runs
At The Carlton the concierge will know the car is outside. Choose an executive saloon for two or three of you. Leaving The Carlton, the car picks up the M6 and keeps to the main roads. For drop-off, the organisers' own rules apply. Drivers follow festival signage to a dedicated Pick up & Drop off car park and are asked not to use local roads or driveways. Hackney carriages use a signed point on the racecourse main drive; private hire follows pick-up/drop-off signs. Through the afternoon the car is parked close by, not sent away. Back at The Carlton about an hour and 26 minutes after leaving the gates, give or take the exit queue.
- The Carlton to Cheltenham Racecourse1 hr 23 min, 81.7 miles, in clear traffic
- Cheltenham Racecourse to The Carlton1 hr 26 min, 83.7 miles, in clear traffic
Times are for clear roads. Allow longer on event days and at peak hours.
Worth knowing
Gates open at 10:30 on each of the four days, with a preview show in the Parade Ring at 12:25.
Source: thejockeyclub.co.ukDrivers follow festival signage to a dedicated Pick up & Drop off car park and are asked not to use local roads or driveways. Hackney carriages use a signed point on the racecourse main drive; private hire follows pick-up/drop-off signs.
Source: thejockeyclub.co.ukNo formal dress code, though many racegoers choose to dress up for the Festival.
Source: thejockeyclub.co.ukThe Carlton is on Railway Terrace, CV21 3HE.
Source: openstreetmap.orgThe closest National Rail station to The Carlton by road is Rugby (RUG), about 2 minutes' drive.
Source: wikidata.orgCheltenham describes itself as the Home of Jump Racing.
Source: thejockeyclub.co.ukCheltenham Racecourse lies in Gloucestershire.
Source: wikidata.orgThe nearest station named by the organisers is Cheltenham Spa (About a 30-40 minute walk; dedicated Stagecoach festival shuttle bus from the station; no ATM at the station).
Source: thejockeyclub.co.uk
Price this journey
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Questions
How long is the drive from The Carlton to the Cheltenham Festival?
About an hour and 23 minutes and 81.7 miles in clear traffic, via the M6, M42 and M5; allow longer on the day.
Would the train be quicker?
The station for the Cheltenham Festival is Cheltenham Spa. From The Carlton, a car goes door to door in about an hour and 23 minutes.
Can guests fly in for the day?
Birmingham Airport is about an hour and 9 minutes from Cheltenham Racecourse by road; an airport collection can be added.
Our undertaking
- 60 min
of waiting after landing on every airport collection, without charge.
- Nothing
is added after the quote unless you ask for more on the day. Airport fees, parking and tolls are in it.
- 24 hrs
before collection, cancel or move the journey at no cost.
- In full
refunded if we ever cancel a journey, however late the notice.