You don’t have to be a fan of horseracing to appreciate a visit to Newmarket. This gem of a town has something for everyone when visiting and its location makes it an easy day trip from Cambridge and London or by linking up with the Greater Anglia services from Ipswich.
With spring just around the corner, it might be worth planning a visit to Newmarket to see what the Home of Horseracing is all about.
Make friends with a foal at The National Stud
If you want to meet a foal, the first thing you need to do is head to The National Stud for a tour. Spring is the best time to see the mares and their new arrivals as they start enjoying the sunshine and time in the paddocks. These tours take place Wednesday through to Sunday at 10.30am with a 1.30pm tour added on a Saturday and Sunday afternoon. They also run on Bank Holiday weekends and every day during the school holidays.
This wonderful working thoroughbred stud farm offers up a fantastic opportunity to get out in the fresh air and to meet the horses who call it home including retired racehorses Lord Windermere and Jack The Giant.
There’s also a wonderful on-site café, the Wavertree’s Coffee Sop serving up freshly baked cakes, scones, breakfast and light lunches.
Find out more about a tour of The National Stud here
Explore the Royal links.
If you are a lover of art or history then a visit to Palace House , which is just a short walk from the train station, is a must!
Officially known as the National Heritage Centre for Horseracing and Sporting Art, this five-acre attraction houses an incredible collection of British Sporting Art inside the remains of the sporting palace of King Charles II.
There are also some wonderful interactive exhibits that make up the National Horseracing Museum with memorabilia from some of the sport’s finest moments as well as the chance to learn something new. You can even experience what it is like to ride as a jockey in a race on the racehorse simulator.
You can also see the work done by the Retraining of Racehorses as they highlight the work that goes into preparing a horse for a second career in a variety of other equine disciplines including showjumping, dressage and polo.
Grab a bite to eat at The Tack Room restaurant while you’re there. On a sunny day you can soak up the rays on the outdoor terrace in the King’s Yard.
The current exhibition at Palace House is titled George IV: Royalty, Racing and Reputation and looks at one of Britain’s most fascinating – and misunderstood – figures. The exhibition will run until the 19th April, 2020.
38 of the forty-one artworks featured – including portraiture, comical etchings and historic trophies – are lent by Her Majesty The Queen from the Royal Collection and offer an exceptional glimpse into the sport of kings. The objects on display at Palace House connect Newmarket with George IV in many ways: by showing the company he kept, the lives he and his contemporaries led, and the animals they cherished.
A day at the Races
Newmarket is home to two racecourses, the Rowley Mile and July Course and between them will play host to 39 race meetings this year. It’s the perfect excuse to gather a group and get dressed up for a day at the races!
On race day, a free shuttle bus service operates from the racecourse making it easier to plan your day. The action gets going in the Spring on the Rowley Mile, which includes the QIPCO Guineas Festival on the first weekend in May, before switching to the July Course for the summer.
Key dates for Spring
The bet365 Craven Meeting
Tuesday 14th April, Wednesday 15th April and Thursday 16th April
The QIPCO Guineas Festival
Saturday 2nd May and Sunday 3rd May
The Spring Meeting
Thursday 14th May (evening), Friday 15th may and Saturday 16th May
Saturday 30th May
To purchase your race day tickets, head to the Newmarket Racecourse website .
Take a Tour
Discover Newmarket, the town’s official tour guides, have come up with three exciting new options for anyone thinking about visiting.
The Taster Tour is perfect for anyone new to the Sport of Kings who wants to learn a little bit more. You’ll spend time on a guided tour of the famous Newmarket gallops, watching the town’s equine stars come out for their morning exercise before heading to the Best Western Heath Court Hotel for breakfast.
The Newmarket Experience is a half-day tour that takes you on a tour of the gallops, into a working racing yard for a proper look behind the scenes before heading on a tour of The National Stud and brunch at the Wavertree’s Coffee Shop. Book your places on the Discover Newmarket website .
The Ultimate Newmarket Experience is a full-day tour that sees you go out onto the gallops, take a look at the workings of a racing yard on a busy morning, a visit to The National Stud – including tea, coffee and biscuits - as well as admission to Palace House for the afternoon where you will also enjoy a lunch voucher to use at The Tack Room. To see the available dates, visit the Discover Newmmarket website .
There is a lot to see and do during your time in Newmarket. Be sure to take a look at the Discover Newmarket website , to find out all about the best places to stay, where to eat as well as finding a host of things to do. You can also find Discover Newmarket on social media. Give them a follow to stay up to date with events and happenings in town.