Not this year. There are no helicopters ferrying in the super-rich, no hired limousines carrying gangs of party-goers up to the front gate.
“It’s usually rammed here at this time,” said Michael Brown, who works in one of the car parks near the main entrance. “It feels very odd but at least there’s racing. Let’s hope we’re back to normal next year.”
Charlie Hayhurst-Ding, who works at a takeaway cafe in Pitville Park, close to the racecourse, said: “It is very, very quiet.” He has worked at the festival in the past and in the pubs during the event. “It gets crazy busy,” he said. “Actually I’m enjoying the fact you can get around this year.”