With short days and long nights, winter can feel very long for many of us. 

However, there is lots to enjoy and we think that we have found some of the best things to do (in our humble opinion) in and around the Cotswolds to help get through the next few months, from great sport, music, films and, of course, food, booze and pubs!

Cheltenham (arguably) is the best National Hunt racecourse in the country. It has regular racedays pretty much every month up until May.

Enjoy the smaller meetings in October, December and January or dive into the buzz and excitement of the bigger days in November, New Year's Day (the best way to shake off a hangover!) and, of course, the Cheltenham Festival in March where the atmosphere is electric. 

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The Sub Rooms in Stroud and Cheltenham Town Hall are a hotbed of live music and comedy here in the Cotswolds.

Altered Images, Nick Heyward, The Bay City Rollers (yes, you read that correctly!) and John Power (Cast) can all be found playing in Stroud over the next few months.

For laughs, you will find Russell Kane, Jimmy Carr, Jimeoin, Dara O'Brien and Rob Beckett gracing the stage at Cheltenham Town Hall.

thesubrooms.co.uk
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cheltenhamtownhall.org.uk

All local rugby fans have probably experienced the atmosphere in The Shed at Kingsholm, but have you ever explored the hospitality options to elevate your day even more?

Perfect for birthdays, festive parties, corporate gatherings and rugby-loving stag and hen days, there is a wide range to choose from that suits all budgets, from boxes with spectacular views of the pitch, to the Captain’s Lounge and 1873 Bistro which offer fantastic dining and great match-day entertainment.

www.gloucesterrugby.co.uk

Winter is the perfect time for settling into a comfy sofa and watching a film. We are big fans of The Living Room in Chipping Norton where you can do just that, as well as enjoying a cocktail or a glass of wine or two at the same time.

With huge films including Gladiator II, Paddington, Blitz and Small Things Like These as well as their hugely popular Boozy Elf and Cheese, Wine and Love Actually Christmas specials, the cinema is a great place to spend a dark, chilly winter evening,

thelivingroomcinemachippy.co.uk

If you're looking for an uber-social sport to play in the winter, go a try padel. It's something we really bang the drum for as it's great fun and good fitness too.

Padel Shift at Bamford are in the process of building a roof on one of their courts and there are two new indoor courts at Far Peak near Northleach.

www.padelshift.com

www.cotswoldpadel.club

If this isn't your first visit to our site, you will know that we are huge supporters of the wonderful pubs that the Cotswolds has to offer.

Experiencing the Cotswolds on foot is one of the best ways to explore the beautiful countryside, and walking could have had its own section. 

However, what could be better than doing a circular walk from a pub and returning to enjoy a pint next a roaring log fire a with family, friends and dogs (most pubs are dog friendly now) and tucking into some incredible food from some top chefs.

Our Top 50 Pubs in the Cotswolds guide will help you discover some of the of the best ones, but if you need more info/help at all, drop us a note on our Instagram page and we will point you in the right direction.

The Everyman in Cheltenham is an architectural masterpiece and boasts some wonderful stage shows, music and comedy.

This winter, you can enjoy Chicago, Al Murray, Jack Dee, The Girl On The Train, Six and, of course, their legendary panto starring Tweedy the Clown.

www.everymantheatre.org.uk

​If you're in the Cirencester area, check out The Barn Theatre which has Room 13 and The Three Musketeers on their stage.

barntheatre.org.uk

There are quite a few Christmas Light Trails to enjoy in the Cotswolds to get you into the festival spirit.

Spectacle of Lights at Sudeley Castle, Adam Henson's Cotswold Farm Park and, probably the most spectacular, Blenheim Palace.

www.blenheimpalace.com

If you love your spirits, you will love a tour or masterclass at the Cotswolds Distillery.

A tour consists of a look around the distillery where you will see the process in action, before heading back to sample lots of their beautiful spirits and liqueurs.

If you want to experience something extra, why not book yourselves on a whisky or gin masterclass where you get to blend you very own drinks.

www.cotswoldsdistillery.com

The Manor House Golf Club in Castle Combe is one of the most stunning golf courses in the country. 

On top of that, the golf club is part of The Manor House estate, a luxury country house hotel with Michelin star dining, also home to The Castle Inn, a 12th century pub offering rooms and great food in the heart of of of the most beautiful villages in the UK.

www.exclusive.co.uk/the-manor-house-golf-club

The Showcase raises the curtain to the 2024/25 Cheltenham season on Friday 25 and Saturday 26 October 2024. 

​The meeting boasts competitive and thrilling racing and celebrates the start of what promises to be another amazing season, where history and lifelong memories will be made. This is where the competition starts, this is where the entertainment starts, and this is where the celebration starts. We are back to Cheltenham.

The Friday once again boasts Sky Bet Novices’ Hurdle feature that was won by the Neil King trained Lookaway in 2023. My Mate Mozzie was victorious in The squareintheair.com Novices’ Steeple Chase and Encanto Bruno in The TrustATrader Novices’ Hurdle Race, both winning for Gavin Cromwell, kicking off a successful 2023/24 season for him at the Home of Jump racing.

Saturday offers a fantastic seven-race card with the highlight being The EPIC Jumps Season at William Hill Handicap Steeple Chase that was won by Whacker Clan for Henry De Bromhead, under Darragh O'Keeffe.

We also saw dual Cheltenham Festival winner Flooring Porter return to winning ways in The William Hill Lengthen Your Odds Novices’ Steeple Chase.

Off the track, make sure you don't miss the opportunity to get a taste of life as a jockey at the Jockey Gym, as well as having the chance to challenge friends and family to see who's stronger than a winning jockey with the team from Great British Racing.

Don't forget that under 18’s race free!

For all tickets, visit www.thejockeyclub.co.uk/cheltenham/events-tickets/the-showcase

The fixtures have been released for the 2024/25 season at Cheltenham Racecourse.

It all begins with The Showcase on Friday 25th and Saturday 26th October, before The November Meeting (Friday 15th - Sunday 17th November) takes centre stage.

The Christmas Meeting (Friday 13th and Saturday 14th December) will be the last meeting of 2014 with New Year's Day being the best way to see in 2025.

Festival Trials takes place on Saturday 25th January and is the las meeting before the massive four days in March.

The Cheltenham Festival (Tuesday 11th - Friday 14th March) will showcase four breath taking days. 28 races, including 14 Grade 1 races, unrelenting prestige, competition and, of course, unmissable action.

You can find all the fixtures, info and best priced tickets HERE.

​With most of us only just getting over the excitement of the Cheltenham Festival, racing returns to Prestbury Park for the two-day April Meeting on Wednesday 17th and Thursday 18th April.

With the spring sunshine (hopefully) shining down on the hallowed Cheltenham turf, the meeting combines competitive racing, with entertainment and a relaxed atmosphere make it a fabulous April afternoon out. It’s the perfect race meeting to bring along a friend who has never experienced the buzz of a Cheltenham Raceday.

Last year, the sun shone down upon the fantastic racing action which included the Grade 2 feature race being landed by Caribean Boy for Lambourn maestro Nicky Henderson and the double green ownership team of Simon Munir and Issac Souede, under their retained jockey Daryl Jacob.

The trip across the Irish sea for Gordon Elliott’s charge The Friday Man proved successful when he won the Citipost Novices’ Hurdle, with jockey Sean Bowen in the plate.

Thursday is unique with an all-mare race card and hosts the British EBF Mares’ Novices’ Limited Handicap Hurdle, Walk In Clover landed the spoils last year for multiple Cheltenham Festival winning trainer Dan Skelton.

It proved a good two-day meeting for Nicky Henderson as Ahorsewithnoname came home in front in the Listed contest of the afternoon, with stable jockey Nico De Boinville doing the steering. Under Control completed a double on the day for Nicky Henderson and Nico De Boinville later on the card.

Tickets start at just £15 and under 18’s race free and do not require a ticket to enter.

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As well as some incredibly racing, there is lots of live music and entertainment to enjoy across the four days at the Cheltenham Festival.

The Wickermen, Vogue Williams (DJ Set), Lampa and The Chip Shop Boys will be live in the Centaur after racing with lots of other live music dotted around the racecourse during each day.

Full list of entertainment:

CHAMPION DAY TUESDAY

Guinness Village
LAMPA: 11:00 – 18:30

The Feed Room & The Courtyard
Hipcats: 10:30 – 17:20

Quevega's Stage
Tommy Lewis: 11:30, 12:30, 13:40, 15:00, 16:20 & 17:45

Centaur Balcony
Joe Wheldon: 10:00 – 13:15

Hall of Fame Entrance
Brimstones: 10:00 – 13:15

The Orchard
Andy Lemay: 10:30 - 17:20

The Plaza
Fat Cat Brass Band: 10:30, 11:30 &12:30

Best Mate Pavilion
The Wickermen: 11:30, 12:30, 13:40, 14:20 & 15:00

Parade Ring
Escala: 12:55

The Centaur
The Wickermen: 17:45 – 18:45


STYLE WEDNESDAY

Guinness Village
LAMPA: 11:00 – 18:30

The Feed Room & The Courtyard
Hipcats: 10:30 – 17:20

Quevega's Stage
Esther Turner: 11:30, 12:30, 13:40, 15:00, 16:20 & 17:45

Centaur Balcony
Ryan Corbett: 10:00 – 13:15

Hall of Fame Entrance
Brimstones: 10:00 – 13:15

The Orchard
Andy Lemay: 10:30 - 17:20

The Plaza
Fat Cat Brass Band: 10:30, 11:30 &12:30

Best Mate Pavilion
Tommy & the Fuse: 11:30, 12:30, 13:40, 14:20 & 15:00

Parade Ring
Laura Wright: 12:55

The Centaur
Vogue Williams: 17:45 – 18:45


ST PARTRICK'S THURSDAY

Guinness Village
The Lucky 15's: 11:00 – 18:30

The Feed Room & The Courtyard
Hipcats: 10:30 – 17:20

Quevega's Stage
Esther Turner: 11:30, 12:30, 13:40, 15:00, 16:20 & 17:45

Centaur Balcony
Joe Wheldon: 10:00 – 13:15

Hall of Fame Entrance
Brimstones: 10:00 – 13:15

The Orchard
Andy Lemay: 10:30 - 17:20

The Plaza
Fat Cat Brass Band: 10:30, 11:30 &12:30
Celtic Feet, Irish Dancers: 11:00 & 12:00

Best Mate Pavilion
Tommy & the Fuse: 11:30, 12:30, 13:40, 14:20 & 15:00

Parade Ring
Celtic Feet, Irish Dancers: 12:55

The Centaur
LAMPA: 17:40 – 18:30


GOLD CUP DAY FRIDAY

Guinness Village
The Lucky 15's: 11:00 – 18:30

The Feed Room & The Courtyard
Hipcats: 10:30 – 17:20

Quevega's Stage
Tommy Lewis: 11:30, 12:30, 13:40, 15:00, 16:20 & 17:45

Centaur Balcony
Ryan Corbett: 10:00 – 13:15

Hall of Fame Entrance
Brimstones: 10:00 – 13:15

The Orchard
Andy Lemay: 10:30 - 17:20

The Plaza
Fat Cat Brass Band: 10:30, 11:30 &12:30

Best Mate Pavilion
Chip Shop Boys: 11:30, 12:30, 13:40, 14:20 & 15:00

Parade Ring
Symphonic Ibiza: 12:30

The Centaur
Chip Shop Boys: 17:40 – 18:30

Visit HERE or a full list of entertainment.
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The Cheltenham Festival is the pinnacle event of the jump-racing calendar, and this year will be bigger than ever as we celebrate 100 years of the Cheltenham Gold Cup.

In March 2023, Galopin Des Champs and Paul Townend became legends and wrote themselves into the history books with a scintillating performance in the Gold Cup. Can they do the same again?

As like most festivals in recent year, many of the favourites will be coming over from Ireland. Constitution Hill will be flying the flag for Britain as he looks to retain his Champion Hurdle crown.

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​DAY-BY- DAY GUIDE

CHAMPION DAY: TUESDAY 12TH MARCH

the Grade 1 Skybet Supreme raises the curtain to the Cheltenham Festival with the famous "Cheltenham Roar".

Last year we saw Marine National land the spoils for trainer Barry Connell, who enjoyed his first Cheltenham Festival winner as a trainer, having had previous success as an owner. It was also jockey Michael O’Sullivan’s first Cheltenham Festival winner.

History was made in the Unibet Champion Hurdle as Jump Racing’s hero Constitution Hill came home in emphatic style under Nico de Boinville for Nicky Henderson and owner Michael Buckley. Constitution Hill’s performance was breath-taking, he jumped with speed, precision and accuracy and awarded Nicky Henderson his 9th Champion Hurdle winner spanning from 1985 to 2023.

The legendary Honeysuckle provided for some the most memorable moment of the 2023 Cheltenham Festival, when she recorded her fourth Festival win on her final visit to Presbury Park. Her triumph provided emotion, elation and pride for horse racing fans across the land. She captured our hearts and to see her finish her prolific career with a Cheltenham Festival win, was exceptionally special.

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​STYLE WEDNESDAY: WEDNESDAY 13TH MARCH

Irish raider Energumene has won the last two renewals of the Queen Mother Champion chase and he has earned his place next to greats like Altior and Sprinter Sacre. Can he make it three in a row at the 2024 Cheltenham Festival?

The Real Whacker made a dream come true for trainer Patrick Neville, when landing the Grade 1 Brown Advisory Novices’ chase by a short head against the Irish powerhouse Gordon Elliott’s Gerri Colombe. The Real Whacker provided trainer Patrick Neville, previously an electrical engineer, with his biggest victory to date, will he be able to achieve an even bigger prize this season and when he goes for gold in The Boodles Cheltenham Gold Cup?

The day concludes with the Weatherbys Champion Bumper, where stars of the future are often making their first visit to the Cotswolds. We saw A Dream To Share come home in front last year, providing 82 year-old trainer John Kiely and young jockey John Gleeson with their first Cheltenham Festival winner. The JP McManus owned a Dream To Share gave the Gleeson family memories to last a lifetime, Claire Gleeson, wife of ITV Racing’s Brian bred both horse and jockey! There looks to be bigger days to come and surely, he will be visiting Presbury Park in the not-too-distant future.

Style Wednesday is a celebration of thrilling and exhilarating sporting action, make sure you’re there to celebrate in style as racing’s glitterati put on a show like no other.

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​ST PATRICK'S THURSDAY: THURSDAY 14TH MARCH

Envoi Allen gave Henry de Bromhead his second victory of the 2023 Cheltenham Festival in the Grade 1 Ryanair Chase. No one thought anything could come close to Honeysuckle’s win earlier in the week for the de Bromhead family, but seeing Envoi Allen back in the sacred Cheltenham Winners’ Enclosure provided another emotional and exceptional moment at the Cheltenham Festival for racing fans.

The Grade 1 Paddy Power Stayers Hurdle went to the ever tough and ever consistent Sire Du Berlais for the Cheltenham Festival’s most successful of owner all time JP McManus. Trained by Gordon Elliott and ridden by Mark Walsh, Sire Du Berlais, who comes to life in the Spring, put up a gutsy performance to win by 3/4 ‘s of a length to the Jeremy Scott trained Dashel Drasher.

Make sure you are there to see if the Irish dominate will dominate the feature races again on St Patrick’s Thursday?​

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​GOLD CUP DAY: FRIDAY 15TH MARCH

Featuring The Boodles Cheltenham Gold Cup, the blue riband race. The pre-race tension, the exhilaration of the race and jubilations of the aftermath. You will never see or experience anything quite like it, as whatever the result, every year it is different.

Stay Away Fay gave British Champion trainer Paul Nicholls his second winner of the 2023 Cheltenham Festival, with Harry Cobden doing the steering in the Grade 1 Albert Bartlett on the final day of the Festival.

Galopin Des Champs was a spectacular winner of Jump Racing’s blue ribband race for the winning most Cheltenham Festival trainer Willie Mullins. The Cheltenham Gold Cup eluded Willie Mullins for many years, but since Al Boum Photo won his first Cheltenham Gold Cup in 2019, and he has now won three of the last five renewals of the race, with fellow Irish trainer Henry De Bromhead winning the other two.

Can the exuberant and exceptional Galopin Des Champs repeat the feat of former stable mate Al Boum Photo and win back-to-back Boodles Cheltenham Gold Cups in the Gold Cup centenary year or will someone else take the most prestigious crown in Jump Racing?

Don’t miss out on the Cheltenham Festival, records will be broken, history will be made and dreams will come true and you could be part of it.

HOSPITALITY AT THE CHELTENHAM FESTIVAL

Award-winning restaurants and intimate private boxes are the most exclusive way to enjoy your time at The Cheltenham Festival.

Located the most stunning settings, from the heart of Cheltenham Racecourse to overlooking the winning line, an unforgettable experience awaits.

Working with the best local suppliers, Cheltenham's team of chefs are passionate about bringing their breadth of skills and culinary knowledge to our extensive and carefully crafted menus.

Excitement, anticipation and expectation is building towards the Cheltenham Festival, and Festival Trials Day on Saturday 27th January is the last chance to see racing at the Home of Jump Racing before the magical four days in March.

With a seven-race card, where every race is a trial for a race at the Cheltenham Festival, it doesn’t get much more exciting, unless it is the Festival itself. The fun isn’t restricted purely to the track, with fantastic entertainment during the day and The Wickermen performing live music after racing, it is a seamless prelude to the Cheltenham Festival.

Last year’s renewal included the highly anticipated match between 2022 Betway Queen Mother Champion Chase winner Energumene and the 2022 Sporting Life Arkle winner Edwardstone didn’t disappoint, however it was the Gary Moore trained Editeur Du Gite that returned first past the post. But when he returned in March, Energumene reversed the form when winning back-to-back Queen Mother Champion Chases.

The Dahlbury Grade 2 Cleeve Hurdle, the highly recognised trial for the Grade 1 Paddy Power Stayers’ Hurdle, a race the Emma Lavelle trained Paisley Park has made his own in recent years. However, last year’s race was won by French raider Gold Tweet. Ahoy Senior was a hugely popular winner of the Grade 2 Paddy Power Cotswold Chase for dual Grand National winning trainer Lucinda Russell.

Come along this year, to mark your card ahead of the Cheltenham Festival.

Tickets start at just £25 and under 18’s race free and do not require a ticket to enter.

Regardless of how you celebrated New Year’s Eve, there is no better way to jump into 2024 than racing on New Year’s Day at Cheltenham. Thrilling and high-quality racing action, that is sure to provide Cheltenham Festival insight, fresh air, and amazing free family entertainment.

There are seven highly-competitive races on the day with Graded and Listed contests, the racing action will blow away those New Year’s Eve cobwebs.

Featuring live music from LAMPA in The Village and the ever-popular Family Fun zone and live music in The Centaur after racing from Tommy & the Fuse, there is top-class entertainment for children and adults alike.

The biggest Cheltenham Festival clue we got last year, came in the shape of The Real Whacker landing the Grade 2 Paddy Power Dipper Chase beating the Paul Nicholls trained favourite by 3 and ¾ lengths. The Real Whacker went on to be triumphant in the Grade 1 Brown Advisory Novices’ Chase at the Cheltenham Festival.

Marie’s Rock made her seasonal reappearance by winning the Grade 2 [email protected] Relkeel Hurdle, for Nicky Henderson and Middleham Park Racing. She went on to run in the highly anticipated Grade 1 Close Brothers Mares Hurdle, on the opening day of the Cheltenham Festival, it wasn’t her day, but that race provided one of the most memorable moments of the Festival, when Honeysuckle returned victorious to a rip roaring reception, branding her the Queen of the Cheltenham.

For many, the January blues hit very hard.  However, we have found some great ways to shake them off with our pick of the best events taking place around the Cotswolds throughout the month.
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NEW YEAR'S DAY RACING AT CHELTENHAM
MONDAY 1ST JANUARY 2024  •​  CHELTENHAM RACECOURSE

Regardless of how you celebrated New Year’s Eve, there is no better way to jump into 2024 than racing on New Year’s Day at Cheltenham. Thrilling and high-quality racing action, that is sure to provide Cheltenham Festival insight, fresh air, and amazing free family entertainment.

There are seven highly-competitive races on the day with Graded and Listed contests, the racing action will blow away those New Year’s Eve cobwebs.

www.thejockeyclub.co.uk/cheltenham/events-tickets/new-years-day

TOM RAVENSCROFT & DJ FOOD
FRIDAY 5TH JANUARY 2024  •  DEYA BREWERY, CHELTENHAM

For their reopening night of 2024, Deya are bringing in mainstays from two British institutions you can really be proud of - BBC 6 Music and Ninja Tune!

Tom Ravenscroft is host (along with deb Grant) of 6 Music's daily New Music Fix, and one of the UK's most respected broadcasters and DJs.

DJ Food is a name that needs no introduction for Ninja Heads. With nearly 25 years of DJing experience and more than a decade serving up Food for DJs, for both Ninja and Coldcut's weekly radio show 'Solid Steel', Kev is now in the Food hot seat.

deyabrewing.com/event/tom-ravenscroft-dj-food-deya-re-opening-night-2024-2024-01-05/

BATH v GLOUCESTER
SUNDAY 7TH JANIARY 2024  •  THE REC, BATH

A West Country derby is the perfect way to start the new year.

These games are usually fierce battles with Gloucester seeking revenge from a 27-45 defeat at Kingsholm back in November.

www.gloucesterrugby.co.uk

SHAPARAK KHORSANDI & FRIENDS
SATURDAY 13TH JANUARY 2024  •  SUNDIAL THEARTRE, CIRENCESTER

Join superstar comic Shaparak Khorsandi (Live At The Apollo, I'm a Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here!) and two hilarious guests for an evening of hilarity! A rare chance to see Shaparak perform in an intimate venue. 

www.sundial-theatre.co.uk/event-listing

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THE SOUND OF SPRINSTEEN
SATURDAY 13TH JANUARY 2024  •  EVERYMAN THEARTRE, CHELTENHAM 

The Sound of Springsteen brings to the stage some of the greatest hits and deep cuts from Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band and continues their ever-popular tour around the UK.

www.everymantheatre.org.uk/shows/the-sound-of-springsteen/

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THE ROCKET MAN: A TRIBUTE TO SIR ELTON JOHN
MONDAY 15TH JANUARY 2024  •  EVERYMAN THEATRE, CHELTENHAM

This is the world’s favourite celebration to a musical icon. Join us as Jimmy and our amazing live band take you down the Yellow Brick Road with two hours of glorious Elton hits, including, Saturday Nights Alright, Crocodile Rock, I’m Still Standing, Philadelphia Freedom, and many, many more.

www.everymantheatre.org.uk/shows/the-rocket-man/

JESCA HOOP
SATURDAY 20TH JANUARY 2024  •  THE SUB ROOMS, STROUD

California-born but now based in  Manchester, UK, Jesca Hoop is what you’d call a musician’s musician. Discovered by Tom Waits and brought on tour by Peter Gabriel to sing in his band, it was a phone call from Elbow’s Guy Garvey that saw her move to the UK. Hoop's 6 studio albums including her most recent album “Order of Romance”,  produced by John Parish (PJ Harvey, Aldous Harding, This is the Kit), all received huge acclaim from critics and fans alike, and it’s easy to see why: Jesca Hoop is one of our most captivating singers. Her beautiful songs, rooted in the folk tradition are intricately detailed, acoustic-led pieces that teem with ideas, expertly crafted lyrics and melodies that spring from a deeply curious imagination. 

thesubrooms.co.uk/whats-on/jesca-hoop

COCKLEBARROW RACES
SUNDAY 21ST JANUARY 2024  •  COCKLEBARROW FARM, ALDSWORTH

Cocklebarrow Races is the only Heythrop Point to Point of the year and attracts people from all over the UK (and world). However, in the main, the majority of our 4,000+ visitors hail from surrounding Gloucestershire, Oxfordshire, Wiltshire and Warwickshire.

www.cocklebarrowraces.com

THE WORLD ACCORDING TO KALEB
THURSDAY 25TH - SATURDAY 27TH JANUARY 2024  •  EVERYMAN THEATRE, CHELTENHAM

Kaleb Cooper, Chipping Norton’s finest celebrity farmer and Sunday Times bestselling author, who shot to fame starring in Prime Video series, Clarkson’s Farm, has decided to conquer his fear of the unknown and embark on his first ever theatre tour with The World According to Kaleb.

www.everymantheatre.org.uk/shows/the-world-according-to-kaleb-kaleb-goes-on-tour/

ROMESH RANGANATHAN: HUSTLE
​FRIDAY 26TH JANUARY 2024  ​•  CHELTENHAM TOWN HALL

After a sell-out tour in 2022, Romesh is back with his new show which examines the human condition… are people inherently good? Is charity always a positive thing? Is hustling the key to success? Or is all this a load of rubbish we’ve made up to keep people working hard for no reason.

cheltenhamtownhall.org.uk/event/romesh-ranganathan-hustle/

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FESTIVAL TRIALS DAY
SATURDAY 27TH JANUARY 2024  •  CHELTENHAM RACECOURSE

Excitement, anticipation and expectation is building. It is the final opportunity to see the sports protagonists go out to battle on Cheltenham Racecourse’s hallowed turf before the Cheltenham Festival. What horses will catch the eye before those four days of extraordinary in March, will we see returning champions defending their crown? Whilst anything can happen in March, Festival Trials day maybe able to give us a clearer picture.

www.thejockeyclub.co.uk/cheltenham/events-tickets/festival-trials-day

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TOM DAVIS: UNDERDOG
SUNDAY 28TH JANUARY 2024  •​  CHELTENHAM TOWN HALL

Tom Davis is best known for hit shows King Gary, The Curse, Live at the Apollo and Murder in Successville, as well as his hugely popular podcast Wolf and Owl with Romesh Ranganathan, which has received critical acclaim and sold out live shows. Tom is also known for multiple appearances on A League of Their Own, Ranganation, Judge Romesh, and Action Team.

cheltenhamtownhall.org.uk/event/tom-davis-underdog/

The Cheltenham Festival is the pinnacle event of the jump-racing calendar, and this year will be bigger than ever as we celebrate 100 years of the Cheltenham Gold Cup.

In March 2023, Galopin Des Champs and Paul Townend became legends and wrote themselves into the history books with a scintillating performance in the Gold Cup - racing's most esteemed race.

The Cheltenham Gold Cup is the one they all long to win, many times over, above all others. Greats become legends and legends rewrite history.

With four breath-taking days and 28 races, including 14 Grade 1 races, nowhere beats Cheltenham for the unrelenting prestige, competition, and pure excitement.

BUY TICKETS

Start your Christmas celebrations off in style with a weekend of top-quality racing on Friday 15 and Saturday 16 December.

With the big day just days away, The Christmas Meeting brings joy and excitement for all. This two-day meeting is one of the highlights of the Christmas racing calendar and kick starts the festive sporting season.

Across the two days there is top quality racing on offer, with a total of 14 races to enjoy, from the adrenaline rush of the Glenfarclas Cross-Country race to the The Virgin Bet December Gold Cup. With Grade 2 and 3 racing action, including some highly competitive Cheltenham Festival trials, including the JCB Triumph Hurdle trial and the Albert Bartlett Novices Hurdle trial, it is a key race meeting for Cheltenham Festival clues.

Off the track, they is a heap of entertainment for all ages across the weekend.

Friday will be filled with Christmas cheer across the racecourse with entertainment from The Hipcats performing Christmas hits on the Quevega Stage to Got2Sing Choir entertaining racegoers with Christmas Carols throughout the day.

Saturday is their Christmas Extravaganza themed family fun, including meeting Santa and his elves in Santa’s Grotto. Santa’s elves will also be there to help with your Christmas crafts including - letters to Santa, making a magical Christmas wish to leave on the special night and designing snowflakes.

Pampered Pony rides will also be available from Santa's Grotto on Saturday at 10:00 till 15:30 for children of all ages to enjoy around the tented village.

The Hipcats and Got2Sing will also return on Saturday for festive music and entertainment throughout the day.

The Tattersalls Cheltenham Sales are back on the Friday of  The Christmas Meeting, the racing sales will offer a select group of winning and placed point-to-pointers and form horses after racing in the sales ring.

Under 18’s race free and do not require a ticket to enter.

For all the information and tickets, please visit www.thejockeyclub.co.uk/cheltenham

Brand new for the 2023/24 season Cheltenham Racecourse has launched The Mandarin, their first walk in restaurant.

For our non Cheltenham Festival fixtures, racegoers will be able to walk in and request a table in The Mandarin. The restaurant offers a glorious and cosy Cotswold pub feel. Its impressive interior takes its inspiration from a traditional country stable. Here you will find exposed wooden beams, quirky racing artefacts and exquisite seasonal food and drink.

Racegoers can simply walk in and request a table and tuck into delicious pub favourites such as The ‘Bookies’ favourite starter Traditional Scotch Eggs and the Local Burger.

​Priced at £65 per person for 2 courses and £85 for 3 courses, with children’s meals offered at half price, it’s the perfect destination for those looking to make their Raceday experience a little more special.
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Tables are available for 2-8 people and will be allocated on a first come first served basis.

The restaurant is named after legendary horse Mandarin who was the winner of the 1962 Gold Cup. He was ridden by the legendary jockey, Fred Winter and trained by Fulke Walwyn, a four-time Gold Cup winning trainer.

The Mandarin is well situated on the ground floor of the main grandstand and is in close proximity to the Parade Ring.

www.thejockeyclub.co.uk/cheltenham/plan-your-day/food-drink/the-mandarin-walk-in-restaurant/

With an option of two sittings throughout each day at the Cheltenham Festival, The Mandarin is a wonderful way to make your festival experience even better.

Morning Sitting: (10.30am – 2pm)

• Morning coffee and breakfast bites
  
• 3 course pub lunch

Afternoon Sitting: (2.30pm – 6pm)

• 3 course pub lunch
  
• Afternoon tea

Both above options include the below as standard:

• Club admission ticket
  
• Car parking is available upon request
  
• Official Racecard
  
• TV racing coverage
  
• Tote betting service
  
• Hospitality team to ensure the smooth running of your day

Visit www.thejockeyclub.co.uk/cheltenham/hospitality/restaurant-packages/the-mandarin-restaurant/ for al the info.