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Best Mate Enclosure

Cheltenham Racecourse, Evesham Road, Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, GL50 4SH

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Access Guide

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Getting Here

  • By Road View
    • Cheltenham Racecourse is located on the outskirts of Cheltenham, off Evesham Road.
      There are a number of different routes to the racecourse, the route will vary depending on the car park or drop-off point you are using.
      For more information on routes to the racecourse please click here (opens new tab)
    • There are 6 parking areas available on racedays; Red Car Park North, Red Car Park South, Green Car Park North, Green Car Park West, Blue Car Park, Yellow Car Park.
      The parking scheme is colour coded, so that your parking zone will match your label and preferred route. Hospitality guests should follow the colour of the car parking pass provided
      There are 2 coach parks located in the Red Car Parks North and South.
  • By Bus View
    • There is a bus stop within 150 metres of the venue.
    • There is a dedicated bus service from the South Car Park into town and the station for The November Meeting and The Festival. For all other meetings bus stops can be found just along Evesham Road from the main roundabout.
      Stagecoach service D and E runs every 6/7 minutes during the day and between 10 minutes and every hour on Monday to Saturday evenings. The service runs hourly on Sundays.
    • For more information on Stagecoach Buses please click here (opens new tab).
  • By Train View
    • The nearest Railway Station is Cheltenham Spa.
    • Trains from London to Cheltenham Spa generally run hourly and take about two hours. Trains from Birmingham generally run every half an hour and take about 35 minutes. From Bristol, trains leave every hour and take about 35 minutes. It is a 10 minute taxi ride from the station.
    • For more information on National Rail please click here (opens new tab).

Getting Help and Assistance

  • For racecourse maps please click here (new tab).
  • There is a member of staff available for help and assistance.
  • There is not a member of staff trained in British Sign Language.
  • There is an assistance dog toilet or toileting area at the venue/nearby.
  • Water bowls for assistance dogs are available.
  • Electric scooters and manual wheelchairs are provided through the Event Mobility Charitable Trust.
  • Cheltenham Radio broadcasts only at The Festival Previews, features, interviews, competitions, reviews and live commentaries all combine to give you the best of the Cheltenham atmosphere, with the latest news and views.
    You can listen live on 87.7FM within 5 miles of the course, through the online web player or via a Cheltenham Radio earpiece.
    The Cheltenham Radio earpiece is available to purchase from racecard kiosks around the racecourse for £5 on the day of racing.

Raceday Parking and Drop-Off

Access Point (Best Mate Enclosure)

  • Access Point View
    • This information is for the access point located at the front of the enclosure.
    • The access point is clearly signed.
    • There is step free access to the access point.
    • The door(s) open(s) towards you (pull).
    • The door(s) is/are double width.
    • The door(s) is/are permanently held open.
    • The width of the access point opening is 320cm.
    • On racedays there is a steward available for assistance.
  • Comments View
    • There is a medium height ticket enquires counter located either side of this access point. This counter does not have a hearing assistance system fitted.

Best Mate Enclosure

  • There is step free access throughout the Best Mate Enclosure.
  • There is a very slight slope leading down from the access point to the trackside area.
  • The surface of the enclosure is tarmac and grass.
  • There are independent betting stalls located at the front of the enclosure.
  • The enclosure can become congested on racedays.
  • There is bench seating available.
  • The trackside area has good views of the racecourse.

Best Mate Enclosure - Steppings

  • The steppings are located at the front of the Desert Orchid and Dawn Run Stand
  • The steppings can be accessed from the trackside area and the rear of the Desert Orchid and Dawn Run bars.
  • There are 1-15+ medium height steps from the front of the steppings to the rear.
  • There are stanchions located in places along the steppings.
  • The steps pathway is clearly marked.

Counter (Betting Counter- Best Mate Enclosure)

  • Counter View
    • The counter is located either side of the Desert Orchid and Dawn Run Stand.
    • There is step-free access to the counter.
    • There is a clear unobstructed route to the counter.
    • There are windows, TVs, glazed screens or mirrors behind the counter which could adversely affect the ability of someone to lip read.
    • The counter is placed in front of a plain background.
    • The lighting levels at the counter are good.
    • There is not sufficient space to write or sign documents on the counter.
    • There is not a lowered section of the counter.
    • The counter is staffed.
    • There is not a hearing assistance system at the counter.

Counter (Best Mate Information Counter and Tattersalls Upgrade)

  • Counter View
    • The counter is located at the rear of the Desert Orchid and Dawn Run Stand.
    • There is step free access to the counter.
    • There is a clear unobstructed route to the counter.
    • There are windows, TVs, glazed screens or mirrors behind the counter which could adversely affect the ability of someone to lip read.
    • The counter is placed in front of a plain background.
    • There is not sufficient space to write or sign documents on the counter.
    • There is a lowered section of the counter.
    • The lowered section of the counter is not at the recommended height of 76cm.
    • There is not sufficient space to write or sign documents on the lowered section of the counter.
    • There is not a clear knee recess beneath the lowered section of the counter.
    • The counter is staffed.
    • There is not a hearing assistance system at the counter.

Eating and Drinking (Betting Shop/Bar)

  • The following information is for the bar.
  • The bar is located to the right as you enter.
  • There is step-free access to the bar.
  • There is a/are double, heavy manual door(s) to access this area.
  • Full table service is not available.
  • Food and/or drinks are ordered from the service counter.
  • Food and/or drinks can be brought to the table.
  • The height of the service counter is medium height (77cm - 109cm) .
  • There is a lowered section of the counter.
  • The lowered section of the counter is at the recommended height of 76cm.
  • There is not a clear knee recess beneath the lowered section of the counter.
  • There is not a hearing assistance system .
  • There is step-free access within the bar.
  • There is ample room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre.
  • The type of flooring in this area is tiles.
  • No tables are permanently fixed.
  • No chairs are permanently fixed.
  • No chairs have armrests on both sides.
  • The nearest table is approximately 1m from the entrance/opening.
  • The nearest table is approximately 1m from the till/counter.
  • Plastic/takeaway cups are available.
  • Drinking straws are available.
  • Children are welcomed in the bar area.
  • There are wall menus available.
  • The lighting levels are good.

Betting Shop/Bar - Betting Area

  • The betting counter is located at the rear of the bar.
  • There is step free access to the counter.
  • The height of the counter is high (110cm+).
  • There is step free access throughout the betting area.
  • The surface of the flooring is tiled.
  • There are betting shelves fixed along the walls.
  • The height of the betting shelves are 95cm - 102cm.

Accessible Toilet(s) (Best Mate Enclosure)

  • There is an/are accessible toilet(s) for public use.
  • Location and Access View
    • The accessible toilet surveyed is for the sole use of disabled people.
    • This accessible toilet is located at the rear of Desert Orchid and Dawn Run Stand.
    • There is step-free access into the accessible toilet.
  • Features and Dimensions View
    • This is a shared toilet.
    • A key is required for the accessible toilet.
    • The key is a radar key.
    • The key can be obtained from a steward.
    • There is pictorial signage on or near the toilet door.
    • The door opens outwards.
    • The door is heavy.
    • The door is locked by a sliding bolt.
    • The width of the accessible toilet door is 90cm.
    • The dimensions of the accessible toilet are 155cm x 220cm (5ft 1in x 7ft 3in).
    • The accessible toilet does have an unobstructed minimum turning space of 150cm x 150cm.
    • The toilet has a non slip floor.
    • There is a lateral transfer space.
    • As you face the toilet pan the transfer space is on the left.
    • The lateral transfer space is 70cm.
    • There is a flush, however it is not on the transfer side.
    • There is not a spatula type lever flush.
    • There is a dropdown rail on the transfer side.
    • There is an emergency alarm.
    • The emergency pull cord alarm is fully functional.
    • There is not a flashing fire alarm beacon within the toilet.
    • Disposal facilities are available in the toilet.
    • There is a/are female sanitary and general waste (with no lid) disposal units.
    • There is a/are coat hook(s).
    • The height of the coat hook is 160cm from the floor.
  • Position of Fixtures View
    • There is a/are wall-mounted grab rail(s) available.
    • As you face the toilet the wall-mounted grab rail(s) is/are on both sides.
    • There is a vertical wall-mounted grab rail on the transfer side.
    • There is a horizontal wall-mounted grab rail on the opposite side of the seat to the transfer space.
    • There is not a mirror.
    • There is not a shelf next to the toilet.
    • The toilet has a cistern.
    • The height of the toilet seat above floor level is 44cm (1ft 5in).
    • There is a toilet roll holder.
    • The toilet roll holder can be reached from seated on the toilet.
    • The toilet roll holder is not placed higher than 100cm (3ft 3in).
    • There is a wash basin.
    • The wash basin can be reached from seated on the toilet.
    • The wash basin is not placed higher than 74cm (2ft 5in).
    • There is a vertical wall-mounted grab rail on the left hand side of the wash basin.
    • The wash basin tap type is lever.
    • There is a mixer tap.
    • There is a soap dispenser.
    • The soap dispenser cannot be reached from seated on the toilet.
    • The height of the soap dispenser is 90cm.
    • There is not a towel dispenser.
    • There is a hand dryer.
    • The hand dryer cannot be reached from seated on the toilet.
    • The hand dryer is not placed higher than 100cm (3ft 3in).
  • Colour Contrast and Lighting View
    • The contrast between the external door and wall is good.
    • The contrast between the internal door and wall is good.
    • The contrast between the dropdown rail(s) and wall is good.
    • The contrast between the wall-mounted grab rail(s) and wall is good.
    • The toilet seat colour contrast is poor.
    • The contrast between the walls and floor is good.
    • The lighting levels are good.

Standard Toilet(s) (Best Mate Enclosure)

  • Standard toilet facilities are available.
  • Access to Standard Female and Male Toilet(s) View
    • The female and male toilet facilities that were surveyed are located at the rear of Desert Orchid and Dawn Run Stand.
    • There is step-free access into the female and male toilet(s).
    • There is pictorial signage on or near the toilet door.
    • An ambulant toilet with wall-mounted grab rails is not available.
    • The wash basin tap type is twist/turn.
    • There is not a flashing fire alarm beacon within the toilets.
    • Lighting levels are good.

Parent and Baby Room (Best Mate Enclosure)

  • There is a parent and baby room for public use.
  • The parent and baby room is located at the rear of Desert Orchid and Dawn Run Stand.
  • There is step-free access into the parent and baby room.
  • Staff do need to be notified for use of the room.
  • There is pictorial signage on or near the parent and baby room door.
  • The baby change table is not set against the wall, permanently fixed at 75cm from the floor.
  • The baby change table is not height adjustable.
  • The height of the baby change table once extended is 105cm (3ft 5in).
  • There are disposal facilities in the parent and baby room.
  • There is a wash basin in the parent and baby room.
  • The height of the wash basin is 84cm.
  • The wash basin tap type is lever.
  • There is a/are chair(s) in the parent and baby room.
  • There is not a chair with armrests on both sides.
  • There is not a toilet in the parent and baby room.
  • There is not a flashing fire alarm beacon within the room.
  • The lighting levels are good.

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