Cheltenham

[boxingbig]

How far is the racecourse from Cheltenham railway station ? and is the best way to get there from London train to Bristol parkway and a train back to Cheltenham.
Please, if and when you answer don't send me to other web sites I only get more confused,anyone who knows the area please reply
many thanks

[Buenchico]

(If you don't like links to other websites, simply ignore those that follow. They're only there to indicate my sources. All of the information you require is in this post).

There's a special bus service from Cheltenham Spa rail station for The Festival and for The Open meetings. At other times, take a Service D bus from the station forecourt. (The destination sign will show 'Bishop's Cleeve'). The buses run every 10 minutes and take 22 minutes to get to the racecourse.

This information is based upon the information on the racecourse's website:
http://www.cheltenham.co.uk/racing/getting_her e.html
and on the timetable here:
http://www.stagecoachbus.com/timetables/DApr07 .pdf

First Great Western operate from Paddington to Cheltenham, with most journeys requiring a change at Bristol Parkway. (There's also an infrequent direct service via Swindon, Stroud and Gloucester). Departures are roughly every half hour, with typical journey times between 2� and 2� hours, irrespective of the route taken.

Check your journey details here:
http://www.nationalrail.co.uk/

Chris

[dzug]

Note that to travel via Bristol Parkway costs more than the direct service, so it's NOT the best route to use. The NR journey planner is misleading in this respect - no local would go that way voluntarily. Even if it's a minute or two quicker.

The best route is the direct service, which is every two hours, and the gap is filled to make a generally hourly service by changing at Swindon and occasionally Gloucester.

In race week there are extra special trains.

[bubbles4920]

the train station is on the other side of town,on the west side whereas the racecourse is to the north, not really within walking distance unless you like walking?!. there is a direct train from paddington and there are buses outside cheltenham station and always taxis there in the rank to the left as you come out. are you going to the races or on a course?

[boxingbig]

Many thanks,for all your answers I am going to the races