Cheltenham travel advice from South Yorkshire

The problem with the train is that the station is quite a way form the course. It is probably about 2.5 miles so quite a trek.

The traffic can be quite bad but by the time you have parked up at a local station, got the train and then got from the station to the track and done the return trip you will be no better off. I would suggest driving in but avoid the town centre and come in from the Bishops Cleeve side. Much easier to get in and out that way and you can easily get back onto the M5 or M42 to go back north.

You'll get a load of different answers but my vote would be a) drive and b) set off early. Stupid early. Leave by 6.15 if you want to have a prayer of getting round Birmingham and on to the m5 by 9 and parked up by 10.30. The m42 gets mighty busy by 7.30. As yer man above says, come off at the junction before, and drive through Bishops Cleeve rather than the main exit for Cheltenham. But get there early, soak up the atmosphere and leave the stress and the bus and the queues and the hassle to the others. Just my opinion.

M1, M42, M5. Come off at J10 and after the BMW dealer on the left you'll come to a large roundabout. Take left. Go straight through a couple of smaller roundabouts then turn right over the railway track. After 1/2 mile turn right into the church and park up for a fiver. If it's full go a few hundred yards further and park in the fields on the left. A fiver again.

If you set off at 830am you should be at J10 within 2.5 hrs. Allow a further 30mins from J10. Should get you parked up 2hrs before KO. Thursday being easily the quietest day you'll likely do it quicker than this from J10.

No need to set off too early. We leave M1 J28 at 9am and usually land around 1130.

how long does it take to get away. are you best waiting for an hour or so

Watch the last race at the top end of tatts and as soon as it's over run to your car. Obviously don't bet on course in the last in case you actually back the winner! You should be on the M5 within 15 mins.

cheers for that

ALWAYS LEAVE SHEFFIELD AT 7.30AM ALWAYS IN CHELTENHAM FOR 1O

thanks every one for your help

Does much traffic clear in the hour after racing? Never been before by car and we're tempted to have an hour in the bar when racing finishes rather than sit in the car park

Also that Car Park sounds very handy Yeast; we are stopping in Stratford Upon Avon on the Monday night so wont be coming in the motorway way; will we still be able to find it easily?

bbf, if you come in via Evesham on the A435 it will take you straight to the racecourse. If you are early, drive to the roundabout by the racecourse entrance and turn right into Swindon Lane....this is the road that yeast refers to for his preferred car parks. If you are later you can do a bit of a detour by turning right at the traffic lights past Bishops Cleeve but before the racecourse into Hyde Lane. Follow this under the railway bridge and take first left into Swindon Lane across the level crossing.