First Great Western’s extra trains a safe bet for National Hunt Festival

First Great Western is advising customers to plan ahead for next month’s National Hunt Festival in Cheltenham, which will see thousands of horse racing fans travelling by train to the town.

The train operator will be running extra services to the town on the four days of the Festival, from Tuesday 14 to Friday 17 March. Festival-goers planning to travel by train from London Paddington, Reading, Didcot Parkway and Swindon are being advised to buy their tickets, and reserve their seats on the outward journey now.

Customers not travelling to the races are advised to make their journeys between 1100 and 1800, outside the busiest times.

First Great Western’s scheduled services which arrive in time for the 1400 start of racing each afternoon leave London Paddington at 0648, 0818 and 0948 calling at Reading, Didcot Parkway, Swindon, Kemble, Stroud, Stonehouse and Gloucester. Extra services leave London Paddington at 0915 and 1015, calling at Reading, Didcot Parkway and Swindon.

Evening services return at 1813 and 2047, with additional services at 1903, 1945 and 2116.

Standard class travel between London Paddington and Cheltenham travelling out and back on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, when SuperSavers are available, costs from £37 and on Friday, from £45. Tickets can be bought via First Great Western’s website, www.firstgreatwestern.co.uk, from any staffed station or via First Great Western telesales on 08457 000 125.

Phil West, First Great Western’s Supplementary Services Manager said, “If you’re thinking of travelling to Cheltenham by train for the National Hunt festival, the message is to book now. If you need to travel on this route for another reason during the three days of the festival, I would advise that you avoid the busy morning trains leaving London Paddington before 1000, and those leaving Cheltenham Spa after 1800.”

A coach service will operate between Cheltenham Spa railway station and the racecourse, costing £4 if bought at the same time as the rail fare, or £4.50 if bought at Cheltenham on the day.

First Great Western’s award-winning Travelling Chefs will be cooking a range of hot food on the special and scheduled services up to and including the 2047 including bacon baguettes and cheese and tomato baguettes in the morning with a selection of hot paninis in the evening. Champagne will also be available in addition to First Great Western’s normal on-board selection of beers, spirits and soft drinks.

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