Dougal's Dog Blog. Entry 18: Cheltenham Racecourse
This story happened on: 30/06/2012
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Racecourse sites sometimes get a bit of a bad press. When people are used to the ultra-swish deluxe facilities provided at the Caravan Club's own green and rural sites, the different ambience and facilities at Racecourse sites can sometimes come as a bit of a surprise.
I'll be honest, first impressions as we drove into Cheltenham Racecourse Club Site weren't the best. I really thought that the Human That I Own had taken a wrong turning and we'd ended up in the Asda Car Park.
'We're staying HERE?!' I thought, as I gave the Human one of 'those' looks that I practice in the mirror when he's not looking.
However, my apprehensions melted away when we were greeted by two of the nicest wardens you'll ever meet. When you've been couped up in your travel cage for the whole day, such a warm and friendly welcome really makes a dog feel special.
We set up on a nice pitch in front of the Grandstand, and off we went to the dog walking area that the wardens recommended.
In a word… WOW! OK, so it's the grassy edge of a gravelly car park. But the car park is empty unless it's a race day, so there is a HUGE amount of room to play ball. To do 'the circuit' around the grassy perimeter takes about 10 to 15 minutes.
But that's not all. There is a footpath all around the racecourse. All four miles of it! But we took the footpath to the nearby village of Prestbury, about 15 minutes walk away, where there are at least two doggy-friendly pubs. We really enjoyed the warm welcome at The Plough, the Human enjoyed the real ale that they serve up, and I enjoyed all the canine company in the lovely garden.
If all THAT wasn't good enough, we decided one day to walk into Cheltenham. It takes about 20 minutes (lazy dogs can take their humans on the park-n-ride bus that leaves from just outside the site) but the walk is well worth it. The majority of it is through parkland, so I could let the Human wander off the lead and play ball almost ALL the way into town. AND there is a lovely cafe in the park where we could sit outside while His Lordship filled his face with cake.
So to summarise… lovely wardens, a clean and pleasant site, terrific dog walk, stupendous walkies opportunities, great pubs within walking distance, a cafe in the park, and the kind of chilled yet refined ambience to the site and to the town that means that you never want to leave.
Cheltenham, I love you. An easy five bones out of five, and I CAN'T WAIT to go back there.
SwiftSport12
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