Under starters orders for the Cheltenham Festival

Cheltenham Festival goers will be under starter’s orders as they prepare to board Great Western Railway services to the horse racing.

Culminating in the Cheltenham Gold Cup on Friday, the four-day Festival between Tuesday 15 and Friday 18 March attracts thousands of supporters – many choosing to start their journey with a glass of Champagne on board a GWR service from London Paddington to Cheltenham Spa.

Providing 12 additional trains a day adding over 5,000 extra seats, passengers are reminded that a queuing system will be in place at London Paddington taking customers towards Cheltenham and at Cheltenham Station for the return journey, enabling trains to be boarded safely.

Cheltenham Spa Station Manager Richard Morrish said:

“The Cheltenham Festival is one of the most popular in the race calendar, bringing a large number of visitors to the town.

“While our friendly and approachable staff will be on hand to help keep people moving, I would urge customers to allow time for their journeys, as a queuing system will be needed to allow passengers to board trains in safety.”

Trains will depart from London Paddington to Cheltenham at:

• 07.36 
• 08.05 
• 08.36
• 09.03
• 09.36

Return trains will depart from Cheltenham towards Bristol; Swindon and London at:

• 15.33 to Bristol Temple Meads
• 16.20 to London Paddington
• 16.58 direct to Swindon
• 17.33 to Bristol Temple Meads
• 17.39 stopping service to Swindon
• 17.59 to London Paddington
• 18.34 to London Paddington
• 19.00 to London Paddington
• 1930 to London Paddington
• 19.34 to Bristol Temple Meads
• 20.01 stopping service to Swindon
• 20.30 to London Paddington
• 20.48 to Bristol Temple Meads
• 21.00 to Swindon
• 22.01 to Swindon
• 22.12 to Bristol Temple Meads

Return trains will depart from Cheltenham towards Worcester Shrub Hill at:

• 15.48
• 17.48
• 18.48
• 20.02
• 21.45
• 22.04

Passengers are reminded to check for their latest connecting service before they travel.