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A quarter of a century after Trigger Happy TV first unleashed its glorious chaos onto unsuspecting members of the public, the Cheltenham-born comedian is marking the milestone with a full-blown national celebration: a huge 100-date UK tour, honouring the hidden camera phenomenon that went on to sell to 80 countries and reshape modern comedy. Before “viral” was a career path and before YouTube became the world’s stage, Joly was already out there creating the blueprint, armed with an absurdly large mobile phone, a suspicious number of squirrels, and a giant snail that somehow became national treasure status. His anarchic, intelligent style didn’t just define the early 2000s, it quietly set the tone for an entire generation of prank comedy and meme culture that followed. The announcement comes hot on the heels of a major appearance at the Royal Albert Hall, where Joly hosted and performed at the Teenage Cancer Trust comedy night, curated by Robert Smith of The Cure. Sharing the bill with comedy royalty, he revived some of his best-loved characters to a rapturous response - proof, if any were needed, that the world still has an appetite for well-executed mischief. Now, for the first time in decades, those characters are returning properly, live, in person, and with a few surprises. The Trigger Happy TV 25th Anniversary Tour promises behind-the-scenes stories, bloopers, unseen original footage and, perhaps most excitingly, brand-new material. Expect fresh tales of the Giant Snail’s painfully slow zebra-crossing journeys, Dom’s arrest while dressed as a KGB spy, and the long-running obsession with the elusive “grey squirrel.” And yes, the giant mobile phone will, inevitably, feature. For Cheltenham, however, this isn’t just another tour date. It’s personal. Joly has already been making waves locally with Dom Joly’s SpeakeaZy, his cult comedy night at the fiercely independent Steam & Whistle. Approaching its one-year residency this April, it has become something of a town secret, the sort of thing people mention in lowered voices, usually followed by: “You’ll never get a ticket.” The Trigger Happy tour arrives at the Parabola Arts Centre on Saturday 5th December 2026, and with its intimate atmosphere and famously fine acoustics, it’s the perfect venue for two hours of nostalgia, new material, and utter comedic mayhem. While the tour spans 100 dates nationwide, the Cheltenham show is shaping up to be the jewel in the crown, a homecoming in every sense, and arguably the most anticipated night of the entire run. As Joly himself puts it: "I can’t believe it’s been twenty-five years since I first started shouting into a giant mobile phone. Trigger Happy TV changed my life, and bringing these characters back for a massive anniversary tour is a total blast. Cheltenham is my home, and while the SpeakeaZy at the Steam & Whistle has been incredible, bringing the full Trigger Happy chaos to the Parabola is going to be a level up. I can't wait to share some brand-new mayhem with my hometown audience." For all the info and tickets, please visit www.domjoly.tv 
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 With the first hints of longer days upon us, it’s impossible not to start looking ahead to summer. The season of golden evenings, open-air stages and weekends that blur into one unforgettable soundtrack is almost within reach. Think cocktails and sunset sing-a-longs with friends as world-class artists light up some of the most beautiful festival settings in the country. Summer 2026 is already shaping up to be a standout, and we honestly can't wait. The Big Feastival 28 - 30 August 2026 Kingham With the 2026 Big Feastival line-up now live, yet another unforgettable long weekend of music, food and fun awaits us on Alex James’ idyllic Cotswolds farm during the August Bank Holiday weekend. Across three days you’ll be treated to headline sets from dance-pioneers Basement Jaxx, UK rap-poet favourite The Streets and indie-pop hitmakers Bastille, alongside an eclectic mix of artists including RUDIM3NTAL, Perrie, Doves, White Lies, Freya Ridings, Mimi Webb and The Coral, ensuring there’s something for every musical taste. But Big Feastival isn’t just about the beats, it’s a true celebration of flavour too, with acclaimed chefs and food experiences that have become just as legendary as the music. Expect chef demos, incredible street food and inventive culinary showcases that make grazing around the festival one of the highlights of the weekend. Comedy lovers are also well-served, with live sets from names like Joel Dommett, Ivo Graham and Suzi Ruffell adding laughter to sun-soaked afternoons and balmy evenings bigfeastival.com  Blenheim Palace Festival 27 June - 4 July Woodstock With the first-ever multi-day festival set to light up the Great Court at Blenheim Palace, summer in the Cotswolds just got a whole lot more exciting. On the music front, global superstars and beloved voices take centre stage, from the pop magic of Katy Perry and the smooth classics of Michael Bublé to the genre-defying sounds of Teddy Swims and the orchestral dance experience of Pete Tong Ibiza Classics, with Alanis Morissette bringing her anthemic catalogue to the stunning backdrop. www.blenheimpalace.com  Wychwood Festival 29 - 31 May 2026 Cheltenham Wychwood Festival will once again kick off the summer season in style when it returns to Cheltenham Racecourse for its landmark 20th edition this May, and this year’s celebration promises a quality mix of music, comedy and family‑friendly fun. Over three glorious days you’ll find headline energy from Craig David presents TS5, indie favourites Kaiser Chiefs and folk‑rock icons Levellers, alongside a wonderfully eclectic roster that includes Sophie Ellis‑Bextor, Feeder, The Pigeon Detectives, Boney M, The Horne Section and Newton Faulkner, plus plenty more across multiple stages. Wychwood has long been beloved for its welcoming, inclusive atmosphere, pairing great live performances with everything from comedy spots and creative workshops to chilled out spaces and activities for all ages, making it the perfect weekend for friends, families and music lovers alike to toast the start of summer together. wychwoodfestival.com  Wilderness 30 July - 2 August Cornbury Park Wilderness returns to the magical parkland of Cornbury Park, inviting music lovers to lose themselves in a weekend of brilliant live performances, world‑class food experiences and the festival’s signature blend of creativity and culture. The 2026 line‑up features electrifying headline sets from iconic pop‑dance outfit Scissor Sisters, genre‑bending innovators The Last Dinner Party and legendary DJ‑producer Carl Cox, alongside acclaimed electronic duo Soulwax, indie favourite Saint Etienne and cult‑cool songwriter Baxter Dury, with dancefloor heat from Groove Armada and a host of eclectic acts across the stages. Feasting is taken seriously too, with celebrated culinary names and creative food offerings ensuring that long afternoons are as delicious as they are musical, while talks, comedy and immersive arts experiences add extra colour to four unforgettable summer days under the trees. www.wildernessfestival.com  Cheltenham Jazz Festival 29 April – 4 May 2026 Cheltenham The Cheltenham Jazz Festival returns to the heart of Cheltenham, celebrating three decades of bold music, brilliant performances and boundary‑crossing creativity, and this year’s line‑up is already sounding unforgettable. From stirring headline sets by Van Morrison, Jessie J and pop‑soul favourite Joss Stone and Jack Savoretti to the genre‑defying sounds of Lady Blackbird and jazz luminaries like Joshua Redman and Bill Frisell, the festival continues to blend world‑class talent with fresh voices and new collaborations. Alongside classic and contemporary jazz, you’ll find everything from orchestral tributes to Miles Davis to soulful UK jazz from artists such as Courtney Pine, Emma‑Jean Thackray and Blue Lab Beats, giving you six days of music that run the gamut from timeless to trailblazing. www.cheltenhamfestivals.org/festivals/jazz-festival  Forest Live 24 - 28 June 2026 Westonbirt Arboretum As summer unfolds across the Cotswolds and the woodlands of Westonbirt Arboretum come alive with greenery, Forest Live 2026 offers a magical way to enjoy long summer evenings with friends, music, food and laughter beneath the trees. This beloved outdoor series brings big‑name acts to one of England’s most beautiful natural stages, starting with dance‑floor legend Fatboy Slim and continuing with timeless anthems from Deacon Blue (with Lightning Seeds), reggae favourites UB40 feat. Ali Campbell (with Bitty McLean & Reggae Roast), pop icon Rick Astley (with The Lottery Winners) and closing with Richard Ashcroft alongside Tom Meighan & Apollo Junction, a line‑up that spans genres and generations under the canopy. www.forestlive.com/westonbirtarboretum  2000 Trees 8 - 11 July 2026 Withington, Nr Cheltenham 2000 Trees returns this July, with Upcote Farm once again playing host to one of the UK’s most revered independent music celebrations; a weekend of raw energy, brilliant bands and unforgettable summer days and nights with friends. The 2026 line‑up is stacked with heavyweight names for fans of punk, indie and alternative rock, including Alkaline Trio, Pup, Superheaven, Glassjaw and Lambrini Girls, alongside raucous favourites like Cancer Bats, Bad Nerves, High Vis and Dinosaur Pile‑Up — plus a host of rising acts across multiple stages that make Trees a perfect showcase for both established and underground talent. 2000trees.co.uk  Shindig 21 - 24 May 2026 Malmesbury As the May Bank Holiday approaches, Shindig Festival 2026 returns to the idyllic Charlton Park Estate with a vibrant and eclectic line‑up set to kickstart the UK festival season in style. Across multiple stages tucked into beautiful woodland and fields, expect sun‑soaked afternoons and late‑night grooves from standout names like punk‑funk crew Fat Dog, politically charge British punk rap duo Bob Vylan, genre‑blending innovators War, and heavyweight soundsystem favourites Mungo’s Hi‑Fi, MY BABY and Snapped Ankles, plus DJ‑led energy from the likes of Pola & Bryson, Stanton Warriors and Colleen ‘Cosmo’ Murphy. shindigfestival.co.uk  There are race meetings in the world that boast fatter prizes, brighter lights, perhaps even deeper pockets. Yet none of it touches the soul the way Cheltenham does. There is simply nowhere that presses so gently, so insistently, on the heart. For those of us who live and work in the Cotswolds the Festival is more than four days in March, it is the heartbeat of a year. For pubs and restaurants, jockeys and trainers and anyone else within sight of the Prestbury Park grandstands or Cleeve Hill with an interest in horse racing, it is pretty much everything. This year, perhaps more than most, it felt like Cheltenham had remembered exactly what it is supposed to be and something very old and very dear had returned. Not through sheer dominance or record-breaking feats, but through something far more meaningful: a week of firsts, of long waits and loyalty rewarded, and of local people realising dreams they had carried since childhood. For while the Irish cavalry arrived once more in their familiar battalions, the story of this Festival belonged, in many ways, to the Cotswolds themselves. White Noise became a name etched into the Festival history books when winning the Mares' Novices' Hurdle on Thursday. This was a landmark moment for Mat Nicholls, his first Cheltenham Festival winner since joining Kim Bailey on the training licence. It was a long way from the teenager from Nottingham who began his journey in racing years ago, working as a stable lad for Nigel Twiston-Davies. Yet even the victory carried a deeper story in the saddle. Tom Bellamy is not a jockey who burst onto the scene with instant fanfare. He has built a career the old fashioned way: through patience, perseverance and an understanding that racing success rarely arrives overnight. He has had big days, but nothing compares to this. Bellamy, a local lad, sponsored by the Hollow Bottom (a pub that has long been a gathering place for racing folk), said afterwards that he has waited his entire life for that moment. The joy was not just his, it was for all the people watching in the pub and most of the locals in the crowd at Cheltenham who climbed the hill with him. If Bellamy’s victory felt like the arrival of something long hoped for, Richie McLernon’s win aboard Johnnywho for the O'Neill stable carried a different kind of emotion altogether. McLernon had last tasted Cheltenham Festival glory in 2014. Twelve years in racing can feel like a lifetime, especially when those years are punctuated by the injuries that are the unavoidable currency of riding racehorses. Cheltenham has a way of demanding its dues before it ever grants its reward, and McLernon’s victory felt like justice finally catching up. All the broken bones, the long recoveries, the quiet doubts that another win at the Festival might never come fall away the instant you cross the line first. Even then, he paused to acknowledge the local NHS and surgeons who had seen him through his latest setback, a small reminder that triumph here is rarely won alone. For the O’Neills, the Festival became something almost sacred. Wilful delivered a second win for the yard, giving AJ O’Neill his first Cheltenham Festival winners as a trainer alongside his father Jonjo. And consider the scale. The O’Neills sent just seven runners to the Festival. Seven. Against the massive armies of Willie Mullins (74) and Gordon Elliott (51), that makes their two winners all the more extraordinary although incredibly fitting that forty years after the elder Jonjo guided Dawn Run to Gold Cup glory, the yard once again enjoyed huge success. This time with brother Jonjo Jr in the saddle who, after the race, struggled to hide the emotion in his voice as he spoke about his father and brother, about the support they had given him and the long road that led to this moment. To repay that faith with a Festival winner, on the sport’s biggest stage, was clearly something more than a professional achievement, it was family. Moments like this are what make Cheltenham unique. Meetmebythesea added another local note to the week when landing the Jack Richards Novices' Handicap Chase for Naunton Downs-based trainer Ben Pauling, giving him his fifth Cheltenham Festival winner. Amid the Irish dominance in recent years, for some yards it can sometimes feel like taking on a cavalry charge armed only with optimism. That is precisely why the victories of Bellamy, McLernon, the O’Neills, Pauling, and Bailey/Nicholls meant so much here in the Cotswolds. Every success is personal and every story is carried from the winner’s enclosure to celebrations at the local pubs and the stables where these horses are raised. Still, for many who watched this year’s Festival unfold, the lasting memory might not be a single performance but a collective feeling that something special had returned. Perhaps it was the emotional weight of those first winners or the sight of familiar faces celebrating in the winner’s enclosure. Or perhaps it was simply the realisation that Cheltenham still holds the same magic it always has. Every year there are voices suggesting that the Festival has lost its charm. Some prefer the idea of escaping to the sun, swapping the UK for beaches in Benidorm or Tenerife while the racing unfolds back home. Each to their own, of course. But those who chose that over Cheltenham this year missed something rather extraordinary. They missed the roar that greeted Tom Bellamy. They missed the raw emotion etched across Richie McLernon’s face and the pride over Mat Nicholls'. They missed the joy of the O’Neill family celebrating together. And this year, as in all the best years, Cheltenham reminded us why it still matters. It's the place that justifies every early morning, every broken bone, every setback, and every dream. In racing, there is no place like it. Here, victory is sweeter, and every story more vivid, because the Cheltenham Festival, more than any other meeting, means absolutely everything.  Image: John Grossick Each March, the Cheltenham Festival arrives with the subtlety of a cavalry charge in tweed. The horses are magnificent. The betting slips optimistic. And thousands of otherwise rational adults become expert armchair jockeys and trainers and fluent in ground conditions. For four days, Cleeve Hill echoes with deafening roars, urgent bookmakers and voices insisting their horse “just needed another fifty yards". To thrive rather than merely survive requires preparation. This is that guide. 1. Dress for the Weather That Actually Exists March in Gloucestershire is committed to unpredictability. Bring layers. Tweed is traditional. Waterproofing is advisable. The secret is to appear as though you have just stepped off a country estate, while quietly knowing you are prepared for horizontal rain. 2. Guinness Is a Social Beverage Official scientific consensus has not yet confirmed that Guinness tastes better at the Cheltenham Festival. Bar Willie Mullins, it may be the most beloved thing to cross the Irish Sea during festival week. It is the Festival’s unofficial diplomatic beverage; a pint that encourages conversation, softens racing disagreements, and allows strangers to share opinions without feeling any particular urgency to prove they are right. Hold it. Enjoy it, and let the afternoon take its course. 3. Remember That Everyone Becomes a Racing Expert Cheltenham has a curious social democracy. Bankers discuss breeding lines with farmers. City lawyers explain hurdle technique to people who have actually ridden horses. Smile politely. Nod. Return your attention to the racing. 4. Set a Budget Before You Start Betting Only bet what you can afford to lose and don't not chase losses. The 20/1 shot that “definitely had something about it” is not responsible for your savings account. Festival optimism is a beautiful thing. Financial regret is less so 5. Wear Proper Shoes (This One Matters More Than You Think) You may walk between the rails, the parade ring, the bar, and back again while wondering where the afternoon went. You might easily reach 20,000 steps. You do not want to achieve this in footwear that believes comfort is a myth. Festival racing is endurance sport. Dress accordingly. 6. The Horses And Jockeys Do Not Need Your Feedback Shouting advice to jockeys is unnecessary. The horses are elite athletes. They are already aware that there is a fence. Your emotional investment is appreciated but operationally irrelevant. 7. Make Sure You Eat Breakfast A Cheltenham afternoon begins long before the first race. A proper breakfast is essential. By all means, have a pint of Guinness with it if tradition demands. The Festival is an endurance sport and requires good stamina and a full belly. 8. Visit the Parade Ring (Highly Recommended) Spend time near the parade and pre-parade rings before the races begin. Stand quietly and watch the horses walk. You will notice how big and powerful they are, yet how calm and graceful they appear when moving slowly across the paddock. These are extraordinary athletes who will steal your heart. After the race, find you place to cheer in the winner, and applaud the runners up. The Festival is as much about appreciating extraordinary horses as it is about watching them compete. 9. Avoid the “Cheap Suit Festival Look” Nobody wants to appear as though they have just left a minor legal hearing. Tweed, countryside colours, or smart casual layers are preferred. You are attending racing heritage, not a job interview. 10. Study the Form… Or Follow Your Heart You can spend hours analysing racing statistics, or you can choose a horse because you like: The colour The number The name Or the vague feeling that it looks like a winner At the Cheltenham Festival, any horse can win. Expertise is optional, enjoyment is not. 11. Visit the Guinness Village No visit to the Cheltenham Festival is complete without the annual pilgrimage to The Guinness Village. People arrive as strangers and leave as temporary lifelong friends, and it's a place you should visit at least once. Singing is expected. Dancing is encouraged. Musical accuracy is entirely irrelevant, and should the band play Mr Brightside, dignity may be abandoned in favour of enthusiasm. 12. Do Not Call It “Holland and Cooper” You will see many people wearing beautiful tweed at the Cheltenham Festival. The brand is usually Holland Cooper, founded by Jade Holland Cooper. Not “Holland and Cooper”. These small details matter in countryside fashion. 12. Get a Steak Sandwich If hunger appears, proceed to the parade ring and locate Carbonis. Their steak sandwich is not merely food, it is strategic Festival infrastructure. The 5oz 30-day aged English ribeye in toasted sourdough with Dijon mayo and beetroot leaves exists to remind you that civilisation is possible even in March weather. You will not regret it. 10pm-you will send gratitude. 13. Enter the Shopping Village With Caution The shopping village is a carefully designed temptation zone. You will see things you did not know you needed and will suddenly believe you have always wanted them. It happens every year. The correct strategy is: Admire. Consider. Buy something nice. Support the small businesses inside. Walk away feeling culturally enriched and slightly lighter in wallet weight. Resistance is admirable but not required. 14. Above All, Appreciate the Horses The true heroes of the Cheltenham Festival are not the betting slips, they are the horses. The true success of the Cheltenham Festival is measured not in winnings alone, it is about witnessing athletic courage against gravity, the hill, and history. It is found in conversations on the journey home, the memory of a race where a horse travelled like poetry, and the feeling that you've just witnessed greatness in equine form. And that, ladies and gentlemen, is that... your (not entirely) essential guide to surviving the Cheltenham Festival. The Cheltenham Festival is not about being the loudest person in the crowd, or the person who knows the most about form, breeding, or ground conditions. It is about standing in the March air watching extraordinary horses do extraordinary things. It is about horses jumping fences with grace and power, crowds rising in shared anticipation, and the countryside itself feeling momentarily alive with sport. Come for the racing, stay for the atmosphere and celebrate the horses. If your selections win, enjoy the moment. If they do not, remember that you have spent a day in the company of extraordinary athletes, good company, and one of Britain’s finest sporting events. The Festival is not simply watched, it's experienced. And that is why people return year after year. www.thejockeyclub.co.uk/cheltenham-festival  The Cheltenham Festival remains the pinnacle of the National Hunt season; four days where the finest horses, jockeys and trainers from Britain and Ireland meet at Prestbury Park for jump racing at its very best. If you are planning to attend in 2026, or simply want to follow the action properly, here is everything you need to know. What is the Cheltenham Festival? The Festival is the championship meeting of National Hunt racing. Every division has its defining contest here, from the Champion Hurdle to the Gold Cup, and winning at Cheltenham defines careers - both equine and human. Across four days - Champion Day, Ladies Day, St Patrick’s Thursday and Gold Cup Day - the meeting combines elite sport with an unmistakable atmosphere. When is the Cheltenham Festival 2026? The 2026 Festival runs from Tuesday 10th March to Friday 13th March 2026 at Cheltenham Racecourse. Four days. 28 races. Countless stories. The Showcase Races Each Day Each day has a headline act. These are the two biggest races on each card: Tuesday: Champion Day Champion Hurdle Supreme Novices' Hurdle Wednesday: Ladies Day Queen Mother Champion Chase Brown Advisory Novices' Chase Thursday: St Patrick’s Thursday Stayers' Hurdle Ryanair Chase Friday: Gold Cup Day Cheltenham Gold Cup Albert Bartlett Novices' Hurdle What Time Does Racing Start Each Day? Gates open from 10:30am. The first race is usually run at 1:20pm, with the final race around 5:20pm. It is worth arriving early, particularly if you want to spend time exploring the course and around the parade ring before the opening race. What Time Is the Cheltenham Gold Cup? The Gold Cup, the defining race of the week, is run at 4:00pm on Friday 13th March 2026. It is the moment the entire meeting builds towards. Can I still buy tickets? Yes, but it pays not to leave it too late as Tuesday and Friday often sell out. You can purchase official tickets here - www.thejockeyclub.co.uk/cheltenham-festival Which Enclosure should I choose? Cheltenham offers three main public enclosures: Club Enclosure The most premium general admission option. Access to the main grandstand, parade ring, winners’ enclosure and exclusive facilities. Tattersalls Enclosure Lively, sociable and well positioned near the finishing straight and Guinness Village. A popular choice. Best Mate Enclosure Opposite the main grandstand, offering excellent views of horses climbing the famous Cheltenham hill. How Much Do Tickets Cost? Ticket prices at Cheltenham Racecourse vary depending on day and enclosure. General admission in the Tattersalls and Best Mate enclosures is more accessible, while the Club Enclosure commands a premium. Gold Cup Day is the most expensive and in highest demand, often costing several times more than Tuesday or Wednesday. Hospitality packages, which include fine dining and reserved seating, are priced accordingly. Which horses and Jockeys should I follow? While final declarations will be confirmed closer to the meeting, several leading names are already prominent in ante-post discussion: Galopin Des Champs, Fact To File and Haiti Couleurs are three you could look out for in the Gold Cup, however our eyes will be on The Jukebox Man for local trainer Ben Pauling. Lossiemouth has a choice of two races, while we wait to see if Constitution Hill will run in the Champion Hurdle. Potential superstars during the week include Old Park Star, The New Lion and Arkle favourite Lulamba. Among jockeys, keep an eye on Paul Townend who rides for Willie Mullins who himself has dominated the Cheltenham Festival in recent years. Closer to home, Nico de Boinville and Nicky Henderson, The Skelton brothers and Ben Pauling and jockey Ben Jones will be the ones to watch. Cheltenham has a habit of elevating new stars, but proven Festival form always counts. What Are the Food and Drink Options on Site? The Festival caters to a wide range of tastes and there is something for everyone. Street-food vendors, coffee stands, and traditional pubs within the Guinness Village provide variety, while hospitality packages offer multiple-course meals and premium beverage selections. The 2026 Cheltenham Festival has made several improvements to ensure that dining and refreshment on course are both convenient and enjoyable. Meal Deals Introduced this season, the Festival Meal Deal gives racegoers the chance to enjoy a hot main, a side, and a drink for £15 — excellent value for a substantial and satisfying meal between races. It is available in the following locations: Best Mate Enclosure
Tattersalls Enclosure
Club Enclosure
All of the above provide extensive seating, allowing you to enjoy your meal comfortably while watching the action unfold. Three new bar areas introduced during the 2025 Festival remain key social hubs for 2026: Winning Post Bar Previously known as the Persian War, this bar is located in the Main Grandstand by the finishing post — ideal for toasting the day’s winners. Home Straight Bar Formerly the Winged Ox, situated in the heart of the Main Grandstand. A great spot for refreshments and atmosphere as races pass by. Sales Arena Bar Now featuring live music between races, adding energy and vibrancy to the Festival experience. Can I have a bet on course? The Festival is synonymous with betting. Bookmakers are positioned across all enclosures, from the parade ring to the grandstand. Many now offer cashless payment options alongside traditional cash betting. Mobile betting apps are widely used, and there is often expert advice available on course to guide newcomers. What Else Can I Enjoy at the Festival? Cheltenham is far more than the racing itself. The Parade Ring Arrive early and watch the horses before each race. The parade ring offers a close look at the contenders and a chance to assess condition, temperament and presence before they head to post. Live Music Across the course, particularly in the Guinness Village, live bands and Irish music create a lively post-racing atmosphere. Shopping The Shopping Village features countrywear, artisan goods, racing memorabilia and premium brands, ideal if you want to invest in something suitably Cotswold. Can I Get Hospitality? Yes, and it is highly recommended if you want a more refined experience. Hospitality packages range from course-side restaurants to private boxes and premium marquees. Expect fine dining, dedicated betting facilities and excellent viewing areas. Early booking is essential. What Should I Wear? There is no official dress code, but Cheltenham style is part of the experience. Think:
March weather can be unpredictable. Sensible footwear is advised, particularly if you plan to do lots of walking between races. What Happens If It Rains? March in the Cotswolds can be unpredictable. Waterproofs, good footwear and layered clothing are advised. The racecourse is well-drained, and racing continues in wet weather. Hospitality marquees provide shelter, and bars and food outlets are designed to operate under any conditions. Cheltenham manages the elements well, allowing spectators to enjoy the Festival regardless of the sky. What Is the Guinness Village? The Guinness Village is a dedicated area within the Club Enclosure of the racecourse, known for live music, Irish hospitality and, naturally, plenty of Guinness. It is one of the liveliest areas on course and one of the easiest places to get a drink quickly! Can I Take My Drink Around the Course? Yes, and the experience is now considerably more relaxed than in previous seasons. Following successful trials during the 2024 and 2025 Festivals, Cheltenham Racecourse has lifted all remaining drinks restrictions within the Club Enclosure for the 2025/26 season. In practical terms, this means racegoers in the Club Enclosure can move more freely around the course with their drinks in hand, whether heading to watch horses in the parade ring or stepping out to the grandstand to watch the race. Does it get busy? Yes, the Cheltenham Festival is inevitably a busy occasion, but there are measures in place to make the experience more comfortable. For 2026, the overall capacity has been slightly reduced from 68,500 to 66,000 spectators per day. This change comes after careful consideration of racegoer feedback, with the aim of easing congestion and ensuring a more enjoyable experience for everyone. It remains a bustling event, but more spacious and comfortable than in previous years. Planning your arrival and knowing where to move on course will help you enjoy the atmosphere without feeling overwhelmed. What Is the Prestbury Cup? The Prestbury Cup is the informal competition between British and Irish trainers across all 28 Festival races. National pride is very much at stake. Can I Meet Jockeys or Trainers? Direct interaction is limited. The parade ring is the closest opportunity to see trainers and jockeys before and after races. Hospitality packages may include brief access to trainers’ areas, but autographs and personal interaction are rare during the event itself. Observing quietly and respectfully is the accepted custom. Where Can I Watch the Cheltenham Festival? Obviously, being at Cheltenham Racecourse is, without question, the best way to experience it. If you cannot attend: ITV provides free-to-air coverage of selected races and Racing TV offers full coverage of every race. How Do I Get to the Cheltenham Festival? By Car Pre-book your car parking pass in advance, they sell out quickly. Park & Ride Official park and ride services operate throughout the Festival and are often the simplest option. By Train Cheltenham Spa station is well connected, with taxis and buses running to the racecourse. Plan ahead is our best advice. Where Should I Go After Racing? Many racegoers walk from the course into Cheltenham town centre. We recommend: The Hollow Bottom in Guiting Power is a proper racing pub with an amazing atmosphere. Live music each night, and if there is a local winner, this will be the place to be! Dunkertons. Just outside Cheltenham with live music, a tap room and lots of street food options to refuel if needed And finally, what Makes the Cheltenham Festival Different From Other Racing Events? Cheltenham blends high-class National Hunt racing with a distinct atmosphere that is part sporting event, part social occasion. The combination of elite competition, packed enclosures, music, shopping, and social interaction makes it unique and nowhere else captures the same blend of prestige, challenge, and tradition. For all the information and tickets, please visit the Cheltenham Racecourse website HERE.  On Monday the 9th of February, the culinary world gathered in anticipation as the new MICHELIN Stars were revealed at the 2026 MICHELIN Guide Ceremony, held at the Convention Centre in Dublin. Here in the Cotswolds, we are pleased to report that five of our restaurants have once again retained their coveted one-star distinction, and here they are!
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The view from the Mandarin Restaurant
After only just waving goodbye to the warmer days of 2025, summer 2026 is already shaping up nicely with Wychwood Festival dropping its first big name.
Indie legends Kaiser Chiefs will headline Saturday night, 30th May, bringing their riotous energy (pun very much intended) to Cheltenham Racecourse for the festival’s 20th anniversary celebrations.
After its biggest-ever year in 2025, Wychwood is well and truly cemented as the Cotswolds’ ultimate summer curtain-raiser. Each year, thousands flock to the Racecourse for three glorious days of music, comedy, family fun and a few pints under the sun, and 2026 looks set to raise the bar yet again.
Headlining in the shadows of Cleeve Hill, the Kaiser Chiefs will belt out all the big ones; ‘Ruby’, ‘I Predict a Riot’, ‘Everyday I Love You Less and Less’ and ‘Never Miss a Beat’. Expect frontman Ricky Wilson to charm the crowd with his trademark energy and quick wit, as one of Britain’s best-loved live bands take centre stage once more.
It’s a fitting choice for a festival that knows exactly how to get a field full of families, friends and free spirits singing together. Following a record-breaking 2025 featuring Doves, James, Shed Seven and more, Wychwood has proved itself to be the little festival that punches well above its weight.
Festival Director Graeme Merifield couldn’t be more excited:
“After such an incredible milestone year in 2025, we wanted to come back with something really special. Kaiser Chiefs know how to unite a crowd and bring pure joy to a festival field — it’s going to be a moment to remember.”
With half of all camping tickets already snapped up, under-10s going free, and unbeatable weekend ticket prices, it’s clear the Wychwood faithful are ready for another unforgettable weekend.
So, dust off your wellies, gather the gang and prepare to raise a glass to 20 years of one of the friendliest, most feel-good festivals in the country.
Wychwood Festival 2026 takes place 29th–31st May at Cheltenham Racecourse.
Priority tickets are available from 10am, Thursday 16th October, before the general sale at 10am Friday 17th October.
www.wychwoodfestival.com/buy-tickets
Indie legends Kaiser Chiefs will headline Saturday night, 30th May, bringing their riotous energy (pun very much intended) to Cheltenham Racecourse for the festival’s 20th anniversary celebrations.
After its biggest-ever year in 2025, Wychwood is well and truly cemented as the Cotswolds’ ultimate summer curtain-raiser. Each year, thousands flock to the Racecourse for three glorious days of music, comedy, family fun and a few pints under the sun, and 2026 looks set to raise the bar yet again.
Headlining in the shadows of Cleeve Hill, the Kaiser Chiefs will belt out all the big ones; ‘Ruby’, ‘I Predict a Riot’, ‘Everyday I Love You Less and Less’ and ‘Never Miss a Beat’. Expect frontman Ricky Wilson to charm the crowd with his trademark energy and quick wit, as one of Britain’s best-loved live bands take centre stage once more.
It’s a fitting choice for a festival that knows exactly how to get a field full of families, friends and free spirits singing together. Following a record-breaking 2025 featuring Doves, James, Shed Seven and more, Wychwood has proved itself to be the little festival that punches well above its weight.
Festival Director Graeme Merifield couldn’t be more excited:
“After such an incredible milestone year in 2025, we wanted to come back with something really special. Kaiser Chiefs know how to unite a crowd and bring pure joy to a festival field — it’s going to be a moment to remember.”
With half of all camping tickets already snapped up, under-10s going free, and unbeatable weekend ticket prices, it’s clear the Wychwood faithful are ready for another unforgettable weekend.
So, dust off your wellies, gather the gang and prepare to raise a glass to 20 years of one of the friendliest, most feel-good festivals in the country.
Wychwood Festival 2026 takes place 29th–31st May at Cheltenham Racecourse.
Priority tickets are available from 10am, Thursday 16th October, before the general sale at 10am Friday 17th October.
www.wychwoodfestival.com/buy-tickets
Cheltenham’s dining scene continues to evolve, and its latest addition brings something altogether new. COALHOUSE, a smokehouse and taproom created by chef-restaurateur Lewis Spencer and co-owned by Jay Rahman of Prithvi, promises to add depth, warmth and a touch of smoke to the town’s food landscape.
At its heart lies the philosophy of “Brew & Que”- the simple but irresistible idea of live-fire cooking paired with excellent local brews. The inspiration draws from the fire pits of the United States and the bold flavours of Mexico, but the execution will feel firmly rooted in Cheltenham.
Expect dishes led by the smoker; slow-cooked brisket, pulled pork, flame-charred vegetables, each imbued with that unmistakable smokiness which only time and wood can achieve. This is food designed for sharing, generous in both flavour and spirit, with the emphasis on comfort rather than ceremony.
Alongside the food sits an equally important element: the taproom. The bar champions craft beers and ciders from local breweries, with a rotating selection designed to complement the food. A hoppy pale ale with ribs, perhaps, or a crisp cider to cut through the richness of tacos, each pairing is considered, without being overthought.
The atmosphere is intended to be lively and welcoming; less formal restaurant, more gathering place. Music, conversation and the comforting aroma of smoke will define the experience, creating somewhere to settle in for an evening with friends as much as to enjoy a quick bite and a pint.
With Spencer’s expertise in live-fire cooking and Rahman’s proven eye for creating standout dining destinations, COALHOUSE is set to become a distinctive new fixture in Cheltenham. A place where the focus is on flavour, sociability and craft – all the right ingredients for a restaurant the town will quickly make its own.
Where & when:
32-34 Clarence St, Cheltenham GL50 3NX
17.10.2025
At its heart lies the philosophy of “Brew & Que”- the simple but irresistible idea of live-fire cooking paired with excellent local brews. The inspiration draws from the fire pits of the United States and the bold flavours of Mexico, but the execution will feel firmly rooted in Cheltenham.
Expect dishes led by the smoker; slow-cooked brisket, pulled pork, flame-charred vegetables, each imbued with that unmistakable smokiness which only time and wood can achieve. This is food designed for sharing, generous in both flavour and spirit, with the emphasis on comfort rather than ceremony.
Alongside the food sits an equally important element: the taproom. The bar champions craft beers and ciders from local breweries, with a rotating selection designed to complement the food. A hoppy pale ale with ribs, perhaps, or a crisp cider to cut through the richness of tacos, each pairing is considered, without being overthought.
The atmosphere is intended to be lively and welcoming; less formal restaurant, more gathering place. Music, conversation and the comforting aroma of smoke will define the experience, creating somewhere to settle in for an evening with friends as much as to enjoy a quick bite and a pint.
With Spencer’s expertise in live-fire cooking and Rahman’s proven eye for creating standout dining destinations, COALHOUSE is set to become a distinctive new fixture in Cheltenham. A place where the focus is on flavour, sociability and craft – all the right ingredients for a restaurant the town will quickly make its own.
Where & when:
32-34 Clarence St, Cheltenham GL50 3NX
17.10.2025
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There are few spectacles in sport that can match Cheltenham in March. The Cheltenham Roar, the finest jump horses on earth, and enough tweed to upholster the Cotswolds twice over. Yet even the Home of Jump Racing knows that greatness isn’t achieved by standing still.
For 2025/26, Cheltenham Racecourse is sharpening its act once more, with a series of enhancements designed to ensure The Festival remains as memorable as it is magnificent.
“This is about evolution, not revolution,” says Chief Executive Guy Lavender, who has wasted no time in stamping his vision on Prestbury Park. “Our goal is simple: world-class racing at a world-class venue.”
Breathing Room, Not Bustling Crowds
This year’s Festival will welcome fewer racegoers each day – a deliberate reduction from 68,500 to 66,000. It may not sound dramatic, but anyone who has ever tried to elbow their way through a soggy bottleneck in Tattersalls will appreciate the difference. Space, after all, is a luxury.
Pints and Prosecco
In news guaranteed to bring a cheer almost as loud as the roar itself, the price of Guinness is going down. Yes, back to £7.50 a pint – a rare case of racing history repeating itself in the punter’s favour. Spirits follow suit with reductions of their own, and Prosecco joins the line-up for the first time for those looking to toast their winners in sparkling style.
Removal of Drinks Restrictions
After a successful trial run last season, Cheltenham has done the decent thing and lifted the final drinks restrictions in the Club Enclosure for 2025/26. In short, you may now wander the course pint in hand without fear of being corralled. The change not only makes for a more civilised flow of racegoers (and shorter queues at the bar), but also restores a sense of freedom that pairs rather well with a Guinness. The only corners of the course where a glass remains unwelcome are those reserved for Officials.
New Homes for Old Favourites
Hospitality also gets a lift. The Tented Village will boast a new covered food court, while the Cottage Rake and Mill House bars are reborn as the stylish Prestbury View. The Green Grazer food hall will champion local produce – a nod to both sustainability and the Cotswolds’ rich culinary heritage.
Sharper Sound, Smarter Screens
Gone are the days of muffled commentary or squinting at the big screen. A state-of-the-art PA system promises crystal-clear race calls, while upgraded Racecourse TV will deliver more data, more insight, and more drama straight to your eyes and ears.
Ladies Day Returns
Wednesday of The Festival sees the return of Ladies Day for the first time since 2019. Think £10,000 in Style Awards prizes, fashion partnerships with Debenhams and Holland Cooper, and the sort of glamour that turns Cheltenham’s enclosures into catwalks with a soundtrack of hooves.
Value, From Ticket to Pillow
Cheltenham is also taking the sting out of logistics. Tickets once again start from £35 if booked early enough, with extended discount windows to keep costs sensible. The “Room to Race” initiative expands, working with more hotels to tackle the notorious Festival price hike.
Cheltenham is already the sport’s crown jewel. But Lavender’s direction makes clear that it intends to sparkle a little brighter each year. More space, sharper facilities, a cheaper pint, and the return of Ladies Day.
After all, The Festival isn’t just about four days of racing. It’s about four days of being part of something utterly, unmistakably special.
www.thejockeyclub.co.uk/cheltenham-festival
For 2025/26, Cheltenham Racecourse is sharpening its act once more, with a series of enhancements designed to ensure The Festival remains as memorable as it is magnificent.
“This is about evolution, not revolution,” says Chief Executive Guy Lavender, who has wasted no time in stamping his vision on Prestbury Park. “Our goal is simple: world-class racing at a world-class venue.”
Breathing Room, Not Bustling Crowds
This year’s Festival will welcome fewer racegoers each day – a deliberate reduction from 68,500 to 66,000. It may not sound dramatic, but anyone who has ever tried to elbow their way through a soggy bottleneck in Tattersalls will appreciate the difference. Space, after all, is a luxury.
Pints and Prosecco
In news guaranteed to bring a cheer almost as loud as the roar itself, the price of Guinness is going down. Yes, back to £7.50 a pint – a rare case of racing history repeating itself in the punter’s favour. Spirits follow suit with reductions of their own, and Prosecco joins the line-up for the first time for those looking to toast their winners in sparkling style.
Removal of Drinks Restrictions
After a successful trial run last season, Cheltenham has done the decent thing and lifted the final drinks restrictions in the Club Enclosure for 2025/26. In short, you may now wander the course pint in hand without fear of being corralled. The change not only makes for a more civilised flow of racegoers (and shorter queues at the bar), but also restores a sense of freedom that pairs rather well with a Guinness. The only corners of the course where a glass remains unwelcome are those reserved for Officials.
New Homes for Old Favourites
Hospitality also gets a lift. The Tented Village will boast a new covered food court, while the Cottage Rake and Mill House bars are reborn as the stylish Prestbury View. The Green Grazer food hall will champion local produce – a nod to both sustainability and the Cotswolds’ rich culinary heritage.
Sharper Sound, Smarter Screens
Gone are the days of muffled commentary or squinting at the big screen. A state-of-the-art PA system promises crystal-clear race calls, while upgraded Racecourse TV will deliver more data, more insight, and more drama straight to your eyes and ears.
Ladies Day Returns
Wednesday of The Festival sees the return of Ladies Day for the first time since 2019. Think £10,000 in Style Awards prizes, fashion partnerships with Debenhams and Holland Cooper, and the sort of glamour that turns Cheltenham’s enclosures into catwalks with a soundtrack of hooves.
Value, From Ticket to Pillow
Cheltenham is also taking the sting out of logistics. Tickets once again start from £35 if booked early enough, with extended discount windows to keep costs sensible. The “Room to Race” initiative expands, working with more hotels to tackle the notorious Festival price hike.
Cheltenham is already the sport’s crown jewel. But Lavender’s direction makes clear that it intends to sparkle a little brighter each year. More space, sharper facilities, a cheaper pint, and the return of Ladies Day.
After all, The Festival isn’t just about four days of racing. It’s about four days of being part of something utterly, unmistakably special.
www.thejockeyclub.co.uk/cheltenham-festival
There is something about the turning of the leaves in the Cotswolds that makes a racing person’s pulse quicken. The mornings grow sharper, the gallops glisten with dew, and from every stable yard drifts that intoxicating mixture of steam, sweat and hope.
The Cotswolds has always been more than a backdrop: it is the very heartbeat of jump racing. Wander the lanes around Naunton or Guiting Power and you may well be passing future champions in the making, ears pricked against the autumn breeze. The names of past heroes are written into the very soil and on the walls at The Hollow Bottom, but the real joy is that each fresh season arrives bearing its own mysteries, its own cast of characters waiting to burst from unknowns to festival hopefuls. And how lucky we are that the Cotswolds, with its trainers of genius and horses of great promise, remains the stage upon which this marvellous old drama continues to unfold.
The wonderful Paul Ferguson has once again given us his 10 horses from local Cotswold yards to follow for the 2025/26 season.
Now in its 19th year of publication, Paul Ferguson's Jumpers To Follow is an essential guide for any racing enthusiast and available to purchase now. It includes leading prospects for the season ahead, a focus on Irish contenders, views from leading jockeys and lots more. And most importantly, multiple winners are identified.
The Cotswolds has always been more than a backdrop: it is the very heartbeat of jump racing. Wander the lanes around Naunton or Guiting Power and you may well be passing future champions in the making, ears pricked against the autumn breeze. The names of past heroes are written into the very soil and on the walls at The Hollow Bottom, but the real joy is that each fresh season arrives bearing its own mysteries, its own cast of characters waiting to burst from unknowns to festival hopefuls. And how lucky we are that the Cotswolds, with its trainers of genius and horses of great promise, remains the stage upon which this marvellous old drama continues to unfold.
The wonderful Paul Ferguson has once again given us his 10 horses from local Cotswold yards to follow for the 2025/26 season.
Now in its 19th year of publication, Paul Ferguson's Jumpers To Follow is an essential guide for any racing enthusiast and available to purchase now. It includes leading prospects for the season ahead, a focus on Irish contenders, views from leading jockeys and lots more. And most importantly, multiple winners are identified.
BILL JOYCE
Jonjo & AJ O'Neill
This year’s list is a little O’Neill-heavy, with five of the 10 selections trained by Jonjo & A J. I make no apologies, however, as I expect the training duo to enjoy a fruitful campaign and this Grade 2-winning novice hurdler can be expected to improve for the switch to fences this winter. A winner at Carlisle and in Sandown’s Winter Novices’ Hurdle, he started last season with a flourish and should develop into a Graded-class performer over fences. Whilst he is likely to start off over an intermediate trip, I would expect him to be back up to 3m or thereabouts before too long. He remains exciting and whilst testing ground might not be essential to him, he copes with it when others can’t.
HERON IN THE PARK
Tom George
Down on numbers in recent seasons, it is pleasing to see Tom George with another exciting prospect on his hands, in the shape of this imposing Walk In The Park mare. An impressive 9½-length maiden Point winner, she cost her current connections £280,000 at Cheltenham last December and duly started to repay that hefty sum when winning a Newbury bumper in fine style. A three-parts sister to former Welsh Champion Hurdle and Betfair Hurdle winner Glory And Fortune, the five-year-old looks capable of making her presence felt at a decent level in the mares’ novice hurdle division.
KAKA’S COUSIN
Jonjo & AJ O’Neill
The first of three Point-to-Point recruits to have joined the Jackdaws Castle team, this five-year-old was actually in training with the O’Neills during the second half of last season but didn’t make it to the track due to drying ground in the spring. Runner-up to Clay Pigeons at Boulta last December on his second start (fell on debut), the winner went on to win a Point-to-Point bumper at Cork and this full-brother to Blue Baloo (winner of a bumper and over hurdles for Sandy Thomson) will carry the silks of Dan Walker (owner of Bill Joyce). Given that he is now five, I would expect him to go straight over hurdles.
LARGY GO
Jonjo & AJ O’Neill
A four-year-old who made a winning debut in a maiden at Loughbrickland in March, he is by one of the sires of the moment in Poet’s Word and was bought for £305,000 at Aintree, on the back of a 2-length success. He moved well through that race and the front two pulled a long way clear in a quick time. He is now in the ownership of JP McManus.
MEETMEBYTHESEA
Ben Pauling
Won three times over hurdles last season for Ben Pauling and JP McManus, before finishing a close-up third in the EBF Final at Sandown, having looked the most likely winner when taking over on the run to the final flight. Up 5lb to a mark of 133 for that reversal, the five-year-old can be expected to make a big impact in the novice chase division. Pauling won Grade 1 novice chases with both The Jukebox Man and Handstands last season and whilst it would be asking a lot for the Watar gelding to reach those lofty heights, he can be expected to continue his upward trajectory after just four starts under Rules.
MISTER MEGGIT
Jonjo & AJ O’Neill
A dual bumper winner the season before last, he made the perfect start to his hurdling career at Aintree last November, winning in a canter over 2m4f. Forced to miss the majority of the season, he returned to action at the Grand National meeting and despite a 146-day lay-off and his undoubted inexperience, he ran a huge race in the Grade 1 Sefton Novices’ Hurdle, looking all over the winner as he cruised to the front two out. A mistake at the last didn’t help but he tired quickly on the run-in, suggesting that the interrupted preparation might have caught up with him. With that in mind, I was a little surprised to see him take his chance at Perth just 19 days later and having never travelled, I would be happy to put a line through that performance. Now rated 136, he will be of interest in either staying handicap hurdles to begin with, or if he is sent straight over fences, as he remains a high-class prospect, capable of winning at a Graded level at some stage.
SIXMILEBRIDGE
Fergal O’Brien
Disappointed in the Baring Bingham at the Cheltenham Festival, he had earlier looked hugely promising when winning at Leicester and Huntingdon, before completing the hat-trick – at the expense of Potters Charm (another bright prospect from the area) – in the Classic Novices’ Hurdle on trials day. The six-year-old son of Affinisea finished runner-up in an Irish Point before joining Ben Pauling (moved to Fergal O’Brien last summer) and won a Sandown bumper impressively on his Rules debut back in February of last year. Set to go novice chasing, he looks to be another exciting recruit to the division and although he should stay 3m, I would expect him to start off over an intermediate trip.
UN SENS A LA VIE
Nigel & Willy Twiston-Davies
A winner at the second attempt between the flags in Ireland, he created a really good impression when winning a Market Rasen bumper on decent ground, scampering right away from Espresso Milan, who wasn’t disgraced at the Punchestown Festival on his next start. The Twiston-Davies team resisted the temptation of running the five-year-old in Grade 2 company at Aintree and the son of Muhtathir can be expected to develop into a very nice novice hurdler this season. Given that the stable tends to hit the ground running, he could be one to note in the early part of the season.
MOSSY FEN COOLIO
Jonjo & AJ O’Neill
Another winning Irish Pointer, the son of Kayf Tara beat just two finishers at Tallow in February but did so in devastating fashion and recorded a very quick time in the process (fully 36 seconds quicker than Hitintheheadlines who won the four-year-old maiden on the same card and is now in the care of Dan Skelton). Already five, he is another who could embark on a hurdling campaign straight away and forms what appears to be a very strong team of exciting young horses at Jackdaws Castle.
VANDERPOEL
Ben Pauling
Another for the novice chase division, he is rated just 128 at present so is likely to reappear in a novices’ handicap. Pulled-up when last seen – in the Grade 2 Premier Novices’ Hurdle at Kelso – he had earlier looked exciting in beating George’s Lad (won next time and now also rated 128) and Rubber Ball (won his next two and again, now rated 128) at Huntingdon, before defying a penalty in a weaker race at Ludlow. Still quite green last season, he will hopefully mature with experience and remains a horse of considerable potential.
Order Jumpers To Follow 2025-2026 here:
https://weatherbysshop.co.uk/collections/paul-fergusons-jumpers-to-follow
https://weatherbysshop.co.uk/collections/paul-fergusons-jumpers-to-follow
The nights draw in over Prestbury Park with a sense of anticipation that would warm the bones of the coldest soul. As the shadows lengthen across Cleeve Hill and the first breath of autumn mist curls over the paddocks, it can only mean one thing: the jumpers are back, and Cheltenham once more takes its place as the beating heart of the National Hunt game.
No other place stirs the spirit in quite the same way. Flat racing may have its silks and splendour, but the raw honesty of Cheltenham, the thunder of the hooves, muddy goggles, steam rising off a chaser’s flanks and the roar of a crowd is something that gets into the blood. The course is a theatre, and the drama played out upon its famous turf is nothing short of life itself: triumph, despair, courage, and above all, the sheer nobility of the horses.
This season promises all the ingredients that makes Cheltenham the Mecca of our winter game. Old warriors return, new pretenders lie in wait, and the whispers from the gallops are enough to stir that delicious mixture of hope and doubt that keeps us coming back year after year.
The Showcase is the unfurling of the first page in Cheltenham’s great winter tale, the raising of the curtain on a season that will carry us from the mellow fruits of autumn through to the bursting daffodils of spring. On Friday 24 and Saturday 25 October 2025, the Home of Jump Racing will once more echo to the rolling percussion of galloping feet, the skipped heartbeats at the last obstacle and that unmistakable hum which only Cheltenham can conjure.
For many, this is less a return to a racecourse than a pilgrimage home. A mingling of fresh expectation and the fond familiarity of old friends reunited make The Showcase a tonic for the soul. Seven fiercely contested races on each day ensure the atmosphere is set ablaze from the first fall of the starter’s flag. This is the first sip of the vintage to come, and it tastes all the sweeter for having been missed all summer.
Friday is the true start of Cheltenham’s grand campaign, a day when form and anticipation walk arm in arm. It is a chance to reacquaint oneself with the greats of the sport, both equine and human, spot the seedlings of future stars, and enjoy that first tantalising glimpse of the narratives that will carry us through the season ahead. The form book may remain light, but the air itself feels heavy with promise.
Another seven races await us on Saturday, each offering not only fierce competition but early clues as to who might flourish throughout the winter months. These are the first brushstrokes on the season’s canvas, painted in mud, muscle, and courage
When the last race is run, The Centaur awaits, where the band Mojo will bring proceedings to a rousing close with songs that lift the heart and loosen the voice, ensuring the day ends in full chorus.
Younger race-goers can enjoy a fun activation zone, where they'll have the chance to ride around the home of jump racing with the ultimate VR experience and have their photograph taken with the Gold Cup, and as is now a Cheltenham tradition outside of the Festival, under-18s race free.
The Showcase is no mere meeting. It is the ignition spark, the rekindling of the old flame and the long-awaited fanfare that announces: the jumpers are back, and all roads now lead to March. It is about more than just winners and losers, it's the thrill of the horses, the roar of the crowd and the clink of glasses among old friends. The curtain lifts, the play begins anew, and the great drama of another Cheltenham season is ready to be written.
BUY TICKETS FOR THE SHOWCASE
No other place stirs the spirit in quite the same way. Flat racing may have its silks and splendour, but the raw honesty of Cheltenham, the thunder of the hooves, muddy goggles, steam rising off a chaser’s flanks and the roar of a crowd is something that gets into the blood. The course is a theatre, and the drama played out upon its famous turf is nothing short of life itself: triumph, despair, courage, and above all, the sheer nobility of the horses.
This season promises all the ingredients that makes Cheltenham the Mecca of our winter game. Old warriors return, new pretenders lie in wait, and the whispers from the gallops are enough to stir that delicious mixture of hope and doubt that keeps us coming back year after year.
The Showcase is the unfurling of the first page in Cheltenham’s great winter tale, the raising of the curtain on a season that will carry us from the mellow fruits of autumn through to the bursting daffodils of spring. On Friday 24 and Saturday 25 October 2025, the Home of Jump Racing will once more echo to the rolling percussion of galloping feet, the skipped heartbeats at the last obstacle and that unmistakable hum which only Cheltenham can conjure.
For many, this is less a return to a racecourse than a pilgrimage home. A mingling of fresh expectation and the fond familiarity of old friends reunited make The Showcase a tonic for the soul. Seven fiercely contested races on each day ensure the atmosphere is set ablaze from the first fall of the starter’s flag. This is the first sip of the vintage to come, and it tastes all the sweeter for having been missed all summer.
Friday is the true start of Cheltenham’s grand campaign, a day when form and anticipation walk arm in arm. It is a chance to reacquaint oneself with the greats of the sport, both equine and human, spot the seedlings of future stars, and enjoy that first tantalising glimpse of the narratives that will carry us through the season ahead. The form book may remain light, but the air itself feels heavy with promise.
Another seven races await us on Saturday, each offering not only fierce competition but early clues as to who might flourish throughout the winter months. These are the first brushstrokes on the season’s canvas, painted in mud, muscle, and courage
When the last race is run, The Centaur awaits, where the band Mojo will bring proceedings to a rousing close with songs that lift the heart and loosen the voice, ensuring the day ends in full chorus.
Younger race-goers can enjoy a fun activation zone, where they'll have the chance to ride around the home of jump racing with the ultimate VR experience and have their photograph taken with the Gold Cup, and as is now a Cheltenham tradition outside of the Festival, under-18s race free.
The Showcase is no mere meeting. It is the ignition spark, the rekindling of the old flame and the long-awaited fanfare that announces: the jumpers are back, and all roads now lead to March. It is about more than just winners and losers, it's the thrill of the horses, the roar of the crowd and the clink of glasses among old friends. The curtain lifts, the play begins anew, and the great drama of another Cheltenham season is ready to be written.
BUY TICKETS FOR THE SHOWCASE
Cheltenham has never been short of cultural offerings, but every now and again something new comes along that immediately feels like it belongs. Since its launch in April, Dom Joly’s SpeakeaZy has become one of the town’s most sought-after nights out. Part cabaret, part comedy, part live music, the monthly show has sold out every date so far, creating a buzz that has spread well beyond Gloucestershire.
Now, with summer behind us, Joly has confirmed the final three dates for 2025; Thursday 2nd October, Thursday 6th November, and Thursday 4th December, each hosted at The Steam & Whistle, Cheltenham’s newly refurbished Victorian pub by the station.
A Homegrown Hit
SpeakeaZy is very much Joly’s love letter to his hometown. Known nationally for the outrageous stunts of Trigger Happy TV, here he offers something more personal: an evening that blends sharp humour with live performances and candid conversations. Each night feels spontaneous and unrepeatable, with stories from Joly’s thirty years in showbusiness woven together with appearances from an eclectic line-up of guests.
The format is fluid. A typical show might feature Joly sharing tales from his travels, chatting with a guest about their own journey, then handing the stage over to a stand-up comic or a rising musician. The result is a night that feels intimate, informal, and brimming with character.
A Guest List Full of Surprises
The mystery surrounding the performers is part of the thrill. Audiences have already been treated to the anarchic humour of Seann Walsh, the sharp wit of Jenny Éclair, and the raw talent of Tom A. Smith, hailed by Elton John as a future star. Beyond that, the names remain under wraps, keeping anticipation high and speculation even higher.
The Steam & Whistle
The choice of venue has been central to the show’s success. The Steam & Whistle, a short walk from Cheltenham Spa station, offers an ideal backdrop with its atmospheric basement space for 200 guests. Intimate yet vibrant, it allows the audience to feel part of the action. The courtyard provides a place to gather before the show, while the artisan pizzas and excellent drinks menu have quickly become part of the experience.
Independent venues like this are rare, and SpeakeaZy makes full use of everything it has to offer. It is live entertainment at its most unfiltered, supported by a team who understand the value of keeping things local and distinctive.
Trigger Happy turns 25
2025 also marks the 25th anniversary of Trigger Happy TV, the hidden-camera series that first propelled Joly into the spotlight. To celebrate, he is taking a new Trigger Happy show on tour across the UK, with dates in London, Birmingham, and beyond.
Dom Joly’s SpeakeaZy: Final 2025 Dates
Thursday 2nd October
Thursday 6th November
Thursday 4th December at
The Steam & Whistle, Cheltenham
TICKETS: https://www.domjoly.tv/dom-jolys-speakeazy
Artisan pizzas & bar from 5pm last pizza orders 6.50pm, show starts 7.30pm, bars stay open after the show. Please note seating is SpeakeaZy style, first come first serve so arrive early
Now, with summer behind us, Joly has confirmed the final three dates for 2025; Thursday 2nd October, Thursday 6th November, and Thursday 4th December, each hosted at The Steam & Whistle, Cheltenham’s newly refurbished Victorian pub by the station.
A Homegrown Hit
SpeakeaZy is very much Joly’s love letter to his hometown. Known nationally for the outrageous stunts of Trigger Happy TV, here he offers something more personal: an evening that blends sharp humour with live performances and candid conversations. Each night feels spontaneous and unrepeatable, with stories from Joly’s thirty years in showbusiness woven together with appearances from an eclectic line-up of guests.
The format is fluid. A typical show might feature Joly sharing tales from his travels, chatting with a guest about their own journey, then handing the stage over to a stand-up comic or a rising musician. The result is a night that feels intimate, informal, and brimming with character.
A Guest List Full of Surprises
The mystery surrounding the performers is part of the thrill. Audiences have already been treated to the anarchic humour of Seann Walsh, the sharp wit of Jenny Éclair, and the raw talent of Tom A. Smith, hailed by Elton John as a future star. Beyond that, the names remain under wraps, keeping anticipation high and speculation even higher.
The Steam & Whistle
The choice of venue has been central to the show’s success. The Steam & Whistle, a short walk from Cheltenham Spa station, offers an ideal backdrop with its atmospheric basement space for 200 guests. Intimate yet vibrant, it allows the audience to feel part of the action. The courtyard provides a place to gather before the show, while the artisan pizzas and excellent drinks menu have quickly become part of the experience.
Independent venues like this are rare, and SpeakeaZy makes full use of everything it has to offer. It is live entertainment at its most unfiltered, supported by a team who understand the value of keeping things local and distinctive.
Trigger Happy turns 25
2025 also marks the 25th anniversary of Trigger Happy TV, the hidden-camera series that first propelled Joly into the spotlight. To celebrate, he is taking a new Trigger Happy show on tour across the UK, with dates in London, Birmingham, and beyond.
Dom Joly’s SpeakeaZy: Final 2025 Dates
Thursday 2nd October
Thursday 6th November
Thursday 4th December at
The Steam & Whistle, Cheltenham
TICKETS: https://www.domjoly.tv/dom-jolys-speakeazy
Artisan pizzas & bar from 5pm last pizza orders 6.50pm, show starts 7.30pm, bars stay open after the show. Please note seating is SpeakeaZy style, first come first serve so arrive early
As the Cotswolds dons its autumnal cloak, Cheltenham Racecourse readies itself for a season of thrills, spills and unforgettable drama.
The crisp air carries the patter of hooves and the roars of well-heeled spectators, with every meeting offering the perfect balance of excitement and emotion, where silks flash across the turf and every finish tells a story.
THE SHOWCASE
24-25 OCTOBER 2025
THE NOVEMBER MEETING
14-16 NOVEMBER 2025
THE CHRISTMAS MEETING
12-13 DECEMBER 2025
NEW YEAR'S DAY
1 JANUARY 2026
FESTIVAL TRIAL'S DAY
24 JANUARY 2026
CHELTENHAM FESTIVAL
10-13 MARCH 2026
THE APRIL MEETING
15-16 APRIL 2026
RACE NIGHT
1 MAY 2026
The crisp air carries the patter of hooves and the roars of well-heeled spectators, with every meeting offering the perfect balance of excitement and emotion, where silks flash across the turf and every finish tells a story.
THE SHOWCASE
24-25 OCTOBER 2025
THE NOVEMBER MEETING
14-16 NOVEMBER 2025
THE CHRISTMAS MEETING
12-13 DECEMBER 2025
NEW YEAR'S DAY
1 JANUARY 2026
FESTIVAL TRIAL'S DAY
24 JANUARY 2026
CHELTENHAM FESTIVAL
10-13 MARCH 2026
THE APRIL MEETING
15-16 APRIL 2026
RACE NIGHT
1 MAY 2026
You can find information and tickets for each race meeting HERE.
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