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Each March, the Cotswolds takes on a particular energy.
Cheltenham Festival draws visitors from across the country and beyond, and the rhythm of the week quickly settles in: early lunches, afternoons following the racing, and evenings that inevitably end in a pub.
For many guests staying in the Cotswolds, the joy of festival week is dipping in and out of that atmosphere — sometimes heading into Cheltenham itself, and sometimes retreating to a village pub once the crowds thin.
There are the pubs everyone knows during race week, and then there are the ones worth knowing.
58 Suffolk Road, Cheltenham, Gloucestershire GL50 2AQ
A firm favourite during festival week. The Retreat sits just outside the centre of town and becomes a lively meeting point for racegoers. Expect a full bar, plenty of racing conversation, and the afternoon’s action playing out across the screens.
1-3 Montpellier Villas, Cheltenham, Gloucestershire GL50 2XQ
One of Cheltenham’s most well-known pubs, The Beehive is always busy during the festival. The garden comes into its own if the weather cooperates, and the atmosphere tends to carry long after the final race has finished.
131 The Promenade, Cheltenham, Gloucestershire GL50 1NW
Not technically a pub, but firmly part of the race week circuit. No.131 offers something a little more polished — cocktails, good food, and a crowd that moves easily from the racecourse to the bar as the evening unfolds.
The Burgage, Prestbury, Cheltenham, Gloucestershire GL52 3DL
Just a short distance from Cheltenham Racecourse, yet still something of a hidden gem for newcomers. The Plough sits in the village of Prestbury and offers a welcoming place to escape the busiest race week crowds while still being within easy reach of the course.
The Camp, Stroud, Gloucestershire GL6 7ES
A proper countryside pub perched high on the Cotswold escarpment. Foston’s Ash is known for its generous food and wide views across the valley — a lovely place to settle in for a long lunch or a quieter afternoon following the racing.
New Street, Painswick, Stroud, Gloucestershire GL6 6UN
One of the most atmospheric pubs in the Stroud Valley, The Oak has a reputation for excellent food and a thoughtful wine list. It’s an ideal choice if you’d like to leave the bustle of Cheltenham behind and spend the evening somewhere calm and beautifully run.
Frampton Mansell, Stroud, Gloucestershire GL6 8JG
Tucked into a small village above the Golden Valley, The Crown is a true local favourite. The welcome is warm, the cooking is exceptional, and during race week it offers a peaceful contrast to the noise of the town.
While the racecourse sits at the centre of the festival, many visitors quickly discover that some of the best moments happen elsewhere — in village pubs, around long tables, with the racing playing quietly in the background.
For guests staying with Arlington & Row during Cheltenham Festival, this balance is often part of the appeal. The racecourse is close enough to enjoy the excitement of the week, yet the surrounding villages offer space to slow down once the final race has finished.