Racecourse , but no Horses!!!

We have not long returned from a five night stay at Cheltenham Racecourse site. The majority of pitches are on tarmac hardstandings which suits us fine although there are a handful of awning pitches on grass. We managed to get all the way to Cheltenham with no issues until we actually got to the Racecourse when TomTom thought we should get into the site through a locked gate!!!  After a few adventures we managed to get ourselves to reception. I hadn’t appreciated how much the site slopes so be prepared to level both ways on some pitches. We found a nice pitch right down against the track fence with lovely views across the Racecourse to the hills beyond. 

Having two years ago converted from a caravan to a motorhome we are always on the lookout for sites with easy access via public transport and from this point of view Cheltenham ticks all the boxes. Adjacent to the racecourse is a Park and Ride facility with very frequent buses into the centre of Cheltenham and from there you can take buses to other destinations. BTW Bus Passes are accepted on the P&R buses. A bit different to what we found at Southport last year. 

Cheltenham is of course a Spa Town although perhaps more famous these days as the base for GCHQ the Government communications centre. For the fit the walk into town is probably about a mile, so an easy walk for some. If you do walk check out Pittville Park en route and you can see the Pump House.  There are lots of Regency Buildings including the Royal Crescent.  It’s a good shopping centre and there are lots of places to eat, or to have a coffee. 

On the other side of the racecourse from the campsite is Cheltenham Racecourse Station home of the Gloucestershire Warwickshire steam railway. For those of you who have stayed at the Club site at Broadway you may have walked up to where they are rebuilding the railway station. Eventually you will be able to travel by train from Cheltenham to Broadway although it’s a year or two off at the moment.  I wonder if this is the first case of two Club sites been joined by a steam railway? 

We were lucky with the weather during our stay with only the odd five minute shower. However it was still chilly for the time of year. When I suggest a racecourse site to Margaret I always have a bit of an uphill battle but she does eventually come round. From a motorhoming point of view many of them are close to town centres. We have even been on a couple when there has been racing on. Quite exciting although I usually hold on to my money – mainly as I don’t really understand the betting!!!