Cholmondeley Castle Triathlon (Castle Series)
Malpas, United Kingdom · June · Independent (Castle Race Series)
Course: 1.5 km (0.9 mi) swim, 42 km (26.1 mi) bike, 10 km (6.2 mi) run. 2026 report: 1.5 km / 42 km / 10 km (0.93 / 26.1 / 6.2 mi); Racecheck lists a 44 km (27 mi) bike. Treat as 42 to 44 km (26 to 27 mi).
Why people love it
- Finish across the main lawn at Cholmondeley Castle.
- Lake swim measured 22 °C (72 °F) in June 2026.
- Starter sprint and super sprint suit first-timers; 66% of Racecheck reviewers say ideal for beginners.
- Scenic Cheshire bike, fast on the A roads and hillier on the B roads.
- Aid stations are well stocked and marshals are friendly.
Watch out for
- Swim water is dark and weedy with poor visibility.
- The run climbs Tower Hill steeply on every lap.
- Spectators pay about 8 GBP (10 USD) to enter.
- Spectators ran short of drinking water in the 2026 heat.
- Rural venue; Manchester Airport is about 60 km (37 mi) away.
Race
How racers feel about it, how well it is run, and how it treats a first timer. Counts for 30% of the overall score.
Toughness: Tough
- Racer satisfactionLoved4.3
Racecheck averages 4.59 of 5 from 349 ratings. The swim water and paid spectator entry are the repeat complaints. · Medium confidence
- OrganizationFlawless4.5
Pre-event communication 4.87, logistics 4.73, staff 4.74 on Racecheck; marshals repeatedly praised; podium timing unclear. · Medium confidence
- First timer friendlyDoable3.0
42 to 44 km (26 to 27 mi) rolling bike and a steep run; doable with preparation. · Low confidence
Course traits, not part of the score
- PR potentialAverage2.8
Hilly run and off-road gardens. · Low confidence
Swim
Wetsuit odds, water temperature, calm, and the experience of the start. Counts for 16% of the overall score.
- Wetsuit legalUsually4.0
Water was 22 °C (72 °F) in June 2026, below the 24.6 °C (76.3 °F) limit but not by far. · Low confidence
- Water temperatureComfortable4.0
22 °C (72 °F) measured in 2026; 'never too cold' per a Gauntlet finisher; 2016 report of warm water. · Medium confidence
- Calm waterGlassy4.6
Small estate mere with no swell or current reported. · Medium confidence
- Swim easeModerate2.9
1,500 m (0.93 mi) in murky water. · Medium confidence
- Swim experienceFine2.7
Water quality 3.94/5 on Racecheck (68 ratings); weeds and 'pitch black' water are the most common complaint. · Medium confidence
- Swim supportGood4.0
Wave starts, an Australian exit on longer swims and shallow edges. Organisers promised better spacing after 2026 feedback. · Medium confidence
Bike
Road surface, closures, scenery and wind. Counts for 18% of the overall score.
- Road surfaceGood3.6
Main roads in good condition; smaller B roads unknown. · Low confidence
- Road closuresPartly closed3.3
Public roads with light traffic plus private estate roads. Marshals are well praised, but full closure is not confirmed. · Low confidence
- Bike sceneryBeautiful4.2
Cheshire countryside with Bickerton Hill and the Peckforton ridge. · Medium confidence
- WindMostly calm3.7
No wind complaints found. · Low confidence
Course traits, not part of the score
- Bike speedAverage3.3
Surprisingly fast but not flat. · Low confidence
- Bike flatnessRolling2.8
Undulating; elevation unpublished. · Low confidence
- Bike simplicitySome technical parts3.3
A pro described it as technical and twisty (2015); bike in/out praised. · Low confidence
Run
Crowds, aid stations, conditions underfoot and scenery. Counts for 13% of the overall score.
- Crowd supportStrong3.9
Large crowds each lap through the castle grounds; festival atmosphere in 75% of reviews. · Medium confidence
- Aid stationsGood4.2
Aid stations well stocked with paper cups; friendly marshals. · Medium confidence
- Run sceneryBeautiful4.3
Estate woodland with views over Beeston and Peckforton hills. · Medium confidence
- Run conditionsModerate2.8
Hilly trails. · Medium confidence
Course traits, not part of the score
- Run flatnessHilly2.3
Tower Hill each lap. · Medium confidence
Conditions
Air temperature, how predictable the weather is, setting, and spectating. Counts for 13% of the overall score.
- Air temperaturePleasant3.9
Late June highs about 18 to 24 °C (64 to 75 °F); 2026 was hot enough that spectators ran out of water. · Low confidence
- Weather reliabilityVariable3.2
Sun and showers in 2025, hot in 2026. · Low confidence
- Venue beautyStunning4.7
Castle, gardens and mere; 96% of reviews note remote nature. · High confidence
- Spectator friendlySome viewpoints3.4
Good views and a festival feel, but spectators pay entry and water ran short on a hot day. · Medium confidence
Course traits, not part of the score
- Low altitudeSea level4.9
About 90 m (295 ft). · High confidence
Stay and travel
Hotels, walkability, getting there, and the town around the race. Counts for 10% of the overall score.
- Hotel availabilityBook early3.4
Rural area; Chester and Nantwich have plenty but no data. · Low confidence
- Hotel valueNormal3.3
No pricing data found. · Low confidence
- WalkabilitySome driving3.0
Field parking at a rural estate; transition and finish are on site. · Low confidence
- Travel easeOne connection3.2
Manchester Airport about 60 km (37 mi); Chester station about 20 km (12 mi). · Medium confidence
- LogisticsSimple3.8
Facilities 4.43 on Racecheck and bike in/out praised; podium times unclear. · Medium confidence
- Town and foodFine3.0
Malpas is a small village; Chester is the nearest city. · Low confidence
Key facts
- Location
- Malpas, Cheshire, United Kingdom
- Typical month
- June
- Latest or next date
- 26 June 2027
- Organiser
- Independent (Castle Race Series)
- Field size
- About 1,500 athletes
- First held
- 2009
- Distances (non-standard)
- 1.5 km (0.9 mi) swim, 42 km (26.1 mi) bike, 10 km (6.2 mi) run
- Swim venue
- Deer Park Mere, Cholmondeley Castle estate (lake)
- Water temperature
- 19–22 °C (66–72 °F)
- Wetsuit
- Legal
- Swim start
- wave
- Run shade
- estate woodland and parkland
- Air temperature
- 12–24 °C (54–75 °F)
- Humidity
- moderate
- Altitude
- 90 m (295 ft)
- Nearest airport
- Manchester (MAN), 60 km (37 mi) away
- Where to stay
- Chester, Nantwich, Malpas
- Booking
- Rural Cheshire; Chester about 20 km (12 mi) away and Whitchurch / Nantwich nearby. Not enough data on race-weekend prices.
What racers and reviewers say
- Racecheck: Cholmondeley Castle Triathlon SeriesRaced 2026 · aggregator · Positive
349 ratings, 4.59 average, reviews from 2015 to 2026. Reviewers agree on strong organisation, friendly marshals and a scenic, fairly fast bike, with a hilly, challenging run. The most common complaint is the swim: weeds, murk and poor visibility. A few object to paying 8 GBP (about 10 USD) as a spectator. 66% say ideal for beginners.
“Great event in a beautiful location”
- Racecheck: Steve B. review of Cholmondeley 2016Raced 2016 · aggregator · Positive
Gauntlet finisher: warm water, easy buoy sighting with an Australian exit, a bike of fast A roads and hillier B roads in good condition, three rolling 7 km (4.3 mi) run laps with a steep wooded climb. Praised marshals, bike in/out and a friendly drinks station.
“stunningly run event”
- 220 Triathlon: Cholmondeley Castle Triathlon 2015 race reportRaced 2015 · article · Positive
Magazine report with 1,500 competitors over two days. Pro Lucy Gossage liked the technical, twisty and hilly bike and run, and saw novices racing shorter distances alongside. A starter sprint was launched for people new to the sport.
“technical, twisty and hilly”
- Castle Race Series: Cholmondeley 2026 race reportRaced 2026 · article · Positive
Organiser report on a hot weekend: lake at 22 °C (72 °F), shallow sections, Olympic 1.5 km (0.9 mi) / 42 km (26.1 mi) / 10 km (6.2 mi), hilly run and no incidents. Promotional but gives the only measured water temperature.
“hot weekend”
- Castle Race Series: Cholmondeley Castle 2025 race reportRaced 2025 · article · Positive
Organiser report: sun and showers, a buzzing event village, Sprint Plus and Standard Distance on Sunday. No course detail or problems reported.
“sun, showers, repeat”
Raced Cholmondeley Castle Triathlon (Castle Series)? Your notes on the course, conditions and logistics help the next athlete decide.
Sources
Pages we used for facts and ratings. See how we rate.
Training for Cholmondeley Castle Triathlon (Castle Series)? Moku Coach builds your plan around race day.