Winning carpet by Wilton at Cheltenham Racecourse

150 150 Daniel Fountain
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Two beautiful bespoke carpets by Wilton Carpets Commercial have conjured an equestrian-inspired backdrop at the prestigious hospitality interiors of Cheltenham Racecourse, against which the drama and excitement of the races play out as well as major events including weddings, conferences and banquets.As a world recognised racing venue, Cheltenham Racecourse sees up to 700,000 visitors throughout the year. The course is home to some of the most famous events of the entire UK jump season, including the climactic Betfred Cheltenham Gold Cup, the feature race of the hugely popular Cheltenham Festival. To ensure its interiors conveyed a unique look exclusive to Cheltenham, the racecourse turned to the help of Wilton Carpets Commercial to design and provide over 1600 square metres of bespoke carpet for its busy hospitality suites.

“I heard positive feedback about the company through a business contact, after Wilton Carpets Commercial supplied carpet to Ascot Racecourse,” comments Tim Partridge, Regional Buildings and Maintenance Co-ordinator, the South West Region of Jockey Club Racecourses. “We briefed the Wilton design team on the background of our unique venue, who then came up with the final designs for us.”

Using hues from the Wilton Elements Flexiweave palette including soft elephant grey and smart black, the first bespoke design incorporates a seven studded horseshoe motif nestling amongst elegant scrolling vines, perfectly suited as a renowned symbol of good luck. The charming design stretches throughout the Hattons Grace, Crest and Sovereign banqueting rooms where events such as reception, dinner dances and conferences are held overlooking the beautiful racecourse and beyond onto the hills of the Cotswolds.

Turning to the Hall of Fame, home to the museum of jump racing at Cheltenham and hung with champion jockey silk colours, Wilton Carpet Commercial came up with a suitably glorious carpet in celebration of the prized Cheltenham Gold Cup. The second custom-made design utilised a smart geometrical print using the instantly distinguishable shape of the cup itself, brought to life in gentle gold and green tones. In a high quality weave and 10-row construction, Wilton’s carpets throughout Cheltenham Racecourse deliver comfort underfoot, yet provide the hardwearing durability required by the busy corridors and thoroughfare in and around the hospitality suites.

“We required a heavy wearing carpet that could survive the intensive levels of footfall during peak race times, which was also straightforward to care for by the extensive hospitality team working on all manner of events such as banquets, proms and weddings,” continues Tim Partridge. “Everyone is delighted with the look and performance of the new carpets.”

Wilton Carpets Commercial is scheduled to carpet the rest of the original grandstand at Cheltenham with involvement also planned as part of the new Grandstand build for 2015.

Daniel Fountain / 10.03.2014

Editor, Hotel Designs

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Work highlights: Sienna joined Forum Events & Media Group while studying Communications and Media, starting in the sales team where she managed and helped launch the first the PA Life Leading Venues of London SHOWCASE, where she built relationships with luxury venues across the capital. Drawn to the stories behind these spaces, she naturally transitioned into the editorial team, creating social media and editorial content. Upon graduating in June 2026, she is excited to be joining as Assistant Editor for Hotel Designs and SPACE.

Fun fact: When not working, Jess can usually be found tending to her kitchen garden in the Sussex countryside or foraging for herbs in the nearby woods. A keen grower, she recently studied a RHS Level 2 Diploma in the Principles of Horticulture during her spare time.

Work highlights: Jess joined SPACE magazine in 2022 and has since progressed from Assistant Editor to Editor. During this time, she has worked across many aspects of the publication – from shaping editorial strategy and overseeing operations to contributing to art direction and representing the brand on stage at industry events including Surface Design Show and WOW!house.

Alongside her role at SPACE, Jess has built a creative career spanning the arts, culture, design and travel sectors. Prior to joining the magazine, she spent more than a decade in the commercial art industry, in artist liaison, gallery management, and curating collections for the hospitality sector across hotels and cruise ships. During this time, she also worked on freelance projects as a writer, photographer, and creative content producer.
 
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Work highlights: Katy has been with Hotel Designs since the beginning, way back in 2015 when Forum Events & Media Group acquired the brand.

During this time, she has fostered many meaningful relationships with clients from across the hospitality spectrum, as well as playing a pivotal role in the launch of The Brit List Awards, Hotel Designs MEET UPs, client-led roundtables and panel talks, brand and website redesigns, HD Wellness Sets, DESIGN POD podcast, Hotel Designs LIVE panel talk series, Accessible Design Talks and more. Katy is always on the lookout for the next opportunity to help grow the Hotel Designs brand even further.
 
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