Super pubs and hidden gems: our reporters offer their Cheltenham racegoer tips

After two years of waiting, spectators are finally a day away from being able to experience all of the joys, and sometimes heartbreak, of the Cheltenham Festival in person. For some, it will be a welcome return to an annual pilgrimage that they were denied due to unforeseen circumstances last year, with the week off work booked well in advance. For others, it will be their first taste of festival fever.

To help you along the way, the Racing Post's team offer some useful tips and haunts to sample during the week.

'A real hidden gem'

The raceweek buzz is already in the air here in Cheltenham and while that is always worth soaking in, there are a few places where you can get away from the crowd. It is a bit of a walk from the racecourse but there's plenty of choices on the Bath Road in the south of town and nestled around the corner is the Somerset Arms, which is a smashing pub.

If you want a real hidden gem, there's the Deya Brewery tucked away in the Lansdown industrial estate right next to the train station.
James Stevens, reporter

'A quieter experience than the hustle and bustle'

It may look like you're walking into someone's house from the outside, but the Adam and Eve provides a perfect, and usually quieter, experience than the hustle and bustle of the main areas in Cheltenham.

It's a little bit out of the way being a 25-minute walk to the track, but the pub has some fine beers and all the sports channels you need (including Racing TV) for some great build-up or even the post-race counting your winnings/losses while the football is on. You can even have a go on the Skittle Alley that is front and centre in the pub if you like.
Matt Rennie, reporter

'Get your bets on early to avoid dodgy wifi'

The Beckford Inn is the perfect place to start your day, especially if travelling to Cheltenham by car from the north, with a full English buffet breakfast on offer for all four days of the festival. Just under eight miles away from the racecourse, you can mull over those last-minute handicap conundrums with a better value meal than you'll find anywhere on course.

If planning to bet solely online when attending the festival, make sure you've got your bets on in the morning before you join the swarms of people trying to get internet connection on the course in the afternoon. Speaking from personal experience, the internet connection cannot cope with the masses at the festival and the free on-course wifi is unreliable at best.

This was no different at the Paddy Power meeting and on New Year's Day, meetings that attracted Cheltenham's biggest crowds so far this season, so be prepared for the worst with either cash to bet on course or bets placed in advance.
Charlie Huggins, reporter

Read more on the Cheltenham Festival:

Cheltenham tips: Tom Segal, Paul Kealy and David Jennings share their best bet

Five Racing Post tipsters including Tom Segal share their Cheltenham Lucky 15s

Cheltenham going: festival set to start on ground on the slow side of good

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