Cheltenham Racecourse sits in the Cotswold hills, and if you’re staying at Pettifers in Crudwell, you’re cunningly well placed for it. The autumn racing season opens in late October with The Showcase and runs through the November Meeting. They are two very different days out, both worth knowing about before you book.
The autumn fixtures
There are two main autumn race meetings at Cheltenham in 2026.
The William Hill Showcase runs on Friday 23rd and Saturday 24th October. It’s the first jump racing fixture of the season, the point at which horses return from their summer break and the National Hunt calendar properly gets going. It’s a good introduction to a race day at Cheltenham if you haven’t been before: the crowds are manageable compared to the Festival, the atmosphere is genuine rather than corporate, and the racing gives you an early look at horses that may go on to feature later in the season. Tickets start from £30.50, which is correct at time of publishing.
The 2026 November Meeting runs from Friday 13th to Sunday 15th November. Three days of racing that traditionally signals the real start of the jump season, with higher-profile races and a bigger crowd than The Showcase. It draws a more serious racing crowd and the quality of the field tends to reflect that. Tickets start from £13.50.
Both meetings are on sale now via the Jockey Club website at thejockeyclub.co.uk/cheltenham.
Which meeting suits you
The Showcase works well for a first visit or a lower-key day out. It’s uncrowded by Cheltenham standards, easier to get around, and a good option if you’re going with people who aren’t particularly interested in racing but might enjoy the atmosphere and a day somewhere interesting. October racing also tends to benefit from reasonable autumn weather rather than the mud and cold of late November onwards.
The November Meeting suits people who want to see better-quality racing with a stronger field. The three-day format also means you can choose which day to attend based on the specific races. It’s worth checking the card once it’s published to see which day suits you best.
What to expect on the day
Cheltenham Racecourse covers 360 acres set in the Cotswold hills, with a natural amphitheatre layout that means you can see most of the course from the enclosures. The racecourse has three enclosures: Best Mate, Tattersalls, and Club; each with different access levels and price points. Best Mate is the most affordable and is positioned opposite the main grandstand near the finish line. Tattersalls gives access to a wider range of bars and food options. Club Enclosure is the most formal and gives the best grandstand access.
There’s no required dress code. The Jockey Club removed the formal requirement from all its racecourses a few years ago, but most people still dress smartly for autumn racing. Tweed, wool, layers and good boots are practical as much as stylish. October and November at Cheltenham can be cold, and the ground can be wet.
Parking at the racecourse is available but worth booking in advance, particularly for the November Meeting. If you’d rather not drive, there are regular race day bus services from Cheltenham town centre.
Before and after the racing
A race day at Cheltenham is typically six to seven races run across the afternoon, with the first race usually around 1pm and the last around 5pm. That leaves the morning free and the evening open, which makes an overnight stay at Pettifers a natural fit rather than a long drive each way in the dark.
Cheltenham itself is worth some time: Regency architecture, independent shops and cafés along the Promenade, and the Pittville Pump Room if you want something to do in the morning before racing starts. The town gets busier around race days but not unpleasantly so in October and November.
Coming back to Crudwell after racing is the part that’s easy to undervalue. A drink in the bar and somewhere comfortable to stay the night is a considerably better end to the day than a long drive home in the dark.
Staying at Pettifers
Most importantly, Pettifers is 5 mins from Kemble mainline train station which is a short 30mins+ glorious countryside ride into Cheltenham Spa. With tickets from £6.50 it’s a big saving on Race Day parking, let alone the time spent amongst queueing traffic in and out of the racecourse!
Pettifer’s tariff too, is considerably more affordable than the “Race Day” pricing in town hotels, leaving you more in your pocket to treat yourself to an Asha’s modern Indian Fusion restaurant meal on site or at one of the glorious local village pubs.
Pettifers has 18 bedrooms in the main hotel and courtyard, including family rooms and two accessible ground floor rooms, all en suite. Mayfield Cottage next door sleeps four and is a self-catering option with its own parking and courtyard. Which is useful if you’re going as a group and want more space. Dogs are welcome in selected rooms.
Explore accommodation at Pettifers or call 01666 815060 to book. Book direct for the best available rates.
