The Cheltenham Festival is one of the most anticipated weeks in the racing calendar, and in 2026 it returns from Tuesday 10th to Friday 13th March. Four days, world-class racing, and an atmosphere like no other, it’s a celebration of tradition, excitement, and unforgettable moments.
Your Perfect Festival Stop with Centenary
If you’re travelling through the region for the Festival Week, Centenary Lounge Stroud offers the perfect place to pause along the way. Located a short journey from Cheltenham, our Stroud cafe is an ideal stop before heading on to the races or while travelling through the area.
Stroud offers a relaxed place to enjoy a great coffee, a bite to eat, or a quiet moment before continuing your journey.
And for those continuing the celebrations, our alcohol menu offers the perfect Festival accompaniment. From carefully selected wines and bottled beers to classic cocktails and sparkling options, there’s something to raise a glass with, whether it’s a pre-race toast or a post-Gold Cup celebration.
You can even take the celebrations with you thanks to our “Tipples to Go”, including canned cocktails and mini proseccos, perfect for enjoying while travelling or meeting friends along the way.
At Centenary Lounge, that sense of heritage and occasion feels very familiar.
A Festival Built on Tradition
Held at Cheltenham Racecourse, the Festival marks the pinnacle of the Jump racing season, bringing together racing fans from across the UK and beyond. Across four themed days, 28 races will unfold, including 14 prestigious Grade 1 contests.
- Champion Day (Tuesday 10 March)
Featuring the iconic Champion Hurdle - Style Wednesday / Ladies Day (Wednesday 11 March)
Home of the Queen Mother Champion Chase - St Patrick’s Thursday (Thursday 12 March)
A day of colour, celebration, and top-class racing - Gold Cup Day (Friday 13 March)
The week’s showpiece, crowned by the Cheltenham Gold Cup
It’s a week rooted in history, much like the railway spaces Centenary Lounge proudly brings back to life.
From the Railway to the Racecourse
The Cheltenham Festival is about more than racing, it’s about the journey, the anticipation, and the stories shared along the way. Centenary Lounge sits comfortably within that tradition, offering spaces where people can gather, pause, and enjoy the moment.
From early-morning coffees to afternoon treats between trains, our cafes are a natural part of Festival week travel.
Festival Week, the Centenary Way
If you’re travelling to Cheltenham in March 2026, make Centenary Lounge part of the experience. A warm welcome, quality coffee, and a setting inspired by the golden age of travel, it’s the perfect companion to one of racing’s most iconic weeks.
