Snow has fallen at Cheltenham Festival – just days after Britain recorded its warmest temperatures of the year so far.
Thousands of punters heading to the ‘greatest show on turf’ are facing a chilly day two with temperatures set to peak at just 9C on Wednesday.
Wintery showers have been forecast throughout the morning at Prestbury Park in Gloucestershire – with the area already covered in a light dusting of snow.
Patches of the white stuff have also been reported across parts of Scotland, the north east of England and the Midlands.
Videos shared on social media show horses and riders who were on the course early on Wednesday battling through the wintery conditions.
One user posted on X: ‘Just when you think you’ve seen it all… snow has now arrived at Cheltenham. Bright blue skies an hour ago, can’t see the back straight now.’
The Met Officehas said snow is forecast until around 10am at Cheltenham on Wednesday with overcast conditions predicted for the rest of the day.
Sharing a clip of snow in Cheltenham, the forecaster said on X: ‘Don’t be surprised if you see some wet snow in some of the showers today.
Snow has fallen at Cheltenham Festival – just days after Britain recorded its warmest temperatures of the year so far.
Pictured: A light dusting of snow greeted racegoers at Cheltenham on Wednesday morning
Horses make their way in from the snow covered gallops on day two of the 2025 Cheltenham Festival
Thousands of punters heading to the ‘greatest show on turf’ face a chilly day two with temperatures peaking at just 9C
‘A temporary slight covering is possible on the grass and cars, as seen recently here in Cheltenham.’
It marks a sharp contrast from the weekend when Brits flocked to parks, beaches and pub gardens when highs of almost 20C were recorded in parks of the UK.
The Met Office confirmed a record 19.7C hit in Crosby, Merseyside, on Sunday, beating Saturday’s peak of 19.1C in Cumbria.
London and Cardiff were at the weekend hotter than holiday hotspots such as the Balearic Islands, Costa del Sol and even Italy’s Amalfi Coast.
However, temperatures have plummeted this week with the colder conditions first kicking in yesterday.
Met Office meteorologist Honor Criswick said: ‘This week is going to be feeling a lot more like winter, all thanks to an area of high pressure dragging in a more northerly flow across the country.
‘Wednesday will see snow across north-eastern parts of Scotland, namely the Highlands, and high ground will see flurries to a lower level.
‘Sunshine peaking through the clouds will likely melt the snow away to lower levels.
Weather map shows snowy conditions at Cheltenham Festival this morning
Early morning snow is seen on the Best Mate statue at Cheltenham on Wednesday
A light dusting of snow is seen covering the stands at Cheltenham Festival in Gloucestershire this morning
Snow falls on trainer Gordon Elliott as he watches his horses on the gallops on day two of the 2025 Cheltenham Festival
‘Temperatures will see highs of 8-9°C but it will feel more like freezing.
‘Thursday will also be a cold and frosty start and there will be icy stretches wherever there has been rain, so take care if you’re out and about in the early hours.
‘There will be plenty of showers across North Sea coasts bringing sleet and snow, mainly across high ground.
‘It will be largely dry across the rest but we can’t rule out showers inland. The temperature will be more like freezing.’
The wintery conditions at Cheltenham today come after racegoers enjoyed a dramatic opening day at the festival.
Punters have descended on the venue in the Cotswolds for an action-packed week of racing.
The shock of the day on Tuesday came in the 2025 Unibet Champion Hurdle with the loss of overwhelming favourite Constitution Hill.
Horses make their way in from the snow covered gallops on day two of the 2025 Cheltenham Festival
Willie Mullins watches his horses on the gallops on day two of the 2025 Cheltenham Festival
Gordon Elliott trained horses on the gallops on day two of the 2025 Cheltenham Festival at Cheltenham Racecourse
A general view of the Parade Ring on day two of the 2025 Cheltenham Festival
Wintery showers have been forecast throughout the morning at Prestbury Park in Gloucestershire – with the area already covered in a light dusting of snow
The 2023 champion fell at the fourth-last hurdle, leaving the door open for 25/1 outsider Golden Ace to take the title.
One punter was so sure of Constitution Hill that they placed a £20,000 bet on the horse to win at odds of 1/2.
It was a big win for the bookies, with virtually no takers seen collecting winnings after the race.
There were a host of famous faces in attendance, too, with legendary former Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson joined by his ex-players Jonny Evans and John O’Shea.
England goalkeeper Jordan Pickford also made a visit.