First time at Cheltenham Festival - advice?

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Love

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As a bit of a treat for my 21st birthday me and my boyfriend are treating ourselves to a day at the cheltenham festival on the Thursday.

We are planning on getting the train there from Worcester. Currently can't decide between going for the Best Mate enclosure or the Tattersall enclosure - anyone who has been before, what are your views? Is it worth paying the extra £15 each to get access to the paddock and trade stands etc?

Basically just after any information that may help us as neither of us have been before. I've heard its always cold there so we will be wrapping up and going smart casual!

Thursday can't come quick enough!
 
Went last year, apart from seeing Big Bucks in the flesh it was a total waste of time, very crowded you can't see very much. Last few races we just stayed by the parade ring and watched the tv. Getting round is bloody hard work, food is pricey but was very nice. I wouldn't go back, Kempton on boxing day on the other hand was brilliant. Can't remember what tickets we brought might be better with more expensive tickets.
 
Comfortable footwear a must! Always lots of girls in heels but don't know how they do it - on your feet most of day. I tend to layer up as can get cold but bars always very busy so gets warm inside. Personally I love it, go every year! The atmosphere is amazing and never fail to have a good day .... despite being wholly unsuccesful at betting! I'm going on Thurs and have Tattersall tickets. Train definitely easiest way to get there and buses at station will take you straight to course. Allow plenty of time tho as traffic through town busy so can take a bit of time. We get early train and have breakfast in cafe opposite station to set us up for the day!

You'll have a great day and no doubt meet lots of great people. Have fun ... and Happy 21st Birthday!!!
 
Thank you both for your replies!

TeamChaser - I think we are going to go with Tattersall tickets, worth paying the bit extra after making the effort to go. If you see a girl in a tweed coat with long dark hair with a bloke who looks like he doesn't have a clue whats going on (Boyfriend has never been to the races before) then thats us!
 
Best Mate is often full of the CH(eltenham) AV(erage)S and doesn't have as much going on in terms of up close racing action, although if you just want to go and get really drunk, save the £15 and go Best Mate ;)

I'll be there Thurs and Fri, in a work capacity... The joys of working in staffing the event catering business! Enjoy your day - the atmosphere is incredible, but I swear it is ALWAYS cold at Cheltenham, so layer up, and echo the comfortable shoes/boots suggestion :)
 
It's brilliant!! We go every year on Gold Cup day and always get club enclosure tickets because it's my birthday on 8th so can justify it as a present 😉 Wrap up warm as it gets quite chilly, even on a 'warm' spring day and definitely don't wear heels! It's so much fun having a bet and even more so if you win. There are some lovely trade stands but everything is very pricey. You'll have a fab time, the atmosphere is electric!
 
Love it! As others have said wrap up warm as there's always a cool wind.

I love standing by the finish line, while busy I've never had a problem with getting between the parade ring and wining post while placing a bet on the way. Food is expensive so we tend to have a good breakfast late morning and then just get a snack if the queue isn't to long.
 
I'm going with friends on Friday - will be third year in a row. It's fab day out but it is cold. One year I had seven tops and a coat and when it rained got my waterproof trousers out - I prefer to be warm over stylish, but I'm a lot older than you!
Loads of women in little dresses and heels - don't know how they do it!
Never made it to the bar either - study form, put bets on , then watch the race - no time for drinking!
Hope you have fun, good way to celebrate your 21st - will be even better if you get a big win!!!
 
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