Attending the Cheltenham Festival can be a thrilling experience, but the cost of food and drinks often leaves racegoers in shock.
This year, some clever attendees found creative ways to bypass the steep prices — and their tricks have taken social media by storm.
Sneaky Tactics to Bring Alcohol Inside
One festival attendee, determined to avoid the eye-watering drink prices, revealed her crafty method for sneaking wine into the venue.
A viral TikTok video shared by the account ‘2girltravels’ showed the woman taping bags of wine to her legs, which she cleverly concealed under her wide-leg trousers.
Her resourceful strategy earned applause online, with viewers praising her ingenuity.
Another creative festivalgoer took things a step further with a quirky prop — a binocular flask.
The disguised container allowed her to sip her drink discreetly, and her clever stunt became a popular GIF that even ITV shared on social media.
Fans couldn’t stop talking about the brilliant move, with one joking, “I want a set of these for next Christmas!”
Festival Prices Leave Racegoers Stunned
While some guests found creative solutions, others were left dismayed by the soaring prices at Cheltenham’s food and drink stands.
A photo from one of the course’s food stalls showed a back bacon roll priced at an astonishing £8, climbing to £8.50 with the addition of a fried egg.
Chips, a festival staple, were selling for £5 per portion, while a cup of tea cost £3.10.
For those craving something heartier, a cheese and bacon ‘stack’ burger with beef, cheddar, streaky bacon, fried onions, and lettuce was listed at £13.50 — and that’s without chips.
Even a straightforward cheeseburger with lettuce, tomatoes, and onions set diners back £11.50.
Meanwhile, a sausage bap fetched £10, while a ‘festive meal deal’ that combined sausage, chips, and a drink cost a hefty £15.
Drinks Prices Spark Frustration
It wasn’t just food prices that shocked festivalgoers. Drinks at Cheltenham this year also saw a noticeable spike.
Despite predictions of record-breaking Guinness sales, organizers increased the price of the beloved stout by 30p, bringing a pint to £7.80.
A festival attendee shared a receipt showing that four pints of Guinness totaled £31.20.
Premium lager was slightly more affordable at £7.40, while even the alcohol-free version of Guinness carried the same £7.80 price tag.
Wine lovers weren’t spared either, with a 187ml glass setting customers back £9.70.
Meanwhile, spirits were priced between £7.20 and £7.30.
Even soft drinks felt overpriced, with cans going for £3.10 and bottled water — sparkling or still — costing £2.50, up 10 pence from last year.
The Verdict
While Cheltenham remains a prestigious and exciting event, the rising costs have led attendees to get creative with their spending.
Whether it’s sneaking in wine with clever disguises or embracing unconventional drinking vessels, festivalgoers are finding ways to keep their spirits high without emptying their wallets.