Local Attractions
Newmarket is home to: The National Stud, The National Horseracing Museum, The British Racing School, The Animal Health Trust, Hoofbeats Racing Tours, The Jockey Club Rooms (Former HQ of the Jockey Club) Tattersalls Bloodstock Sales, Palace House (former royal residence of Charles II) which now houses the Tourist Office, many of the world's leading racehorse training yards and racing stud farms, many of today's top jockeys and thousands of acres of tended training gallops.
Royal Beginnings
The Sport of Kings was born in Newmarket under the leadership of King Charles II and lives on today in the very fabric of the town, in the historic stable yards that can be found at every turn and on the historic turf of Newmarket heath. Today, royalty still graces its hallowed heath, with Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II a regular visitor, to watch her horses at work on the Newmarket's expansive training gallops.
Two Great Racecourses
Newmarket uniquely has two racecourses; The Rowley Mile Course is the grand stage - host to some of the best racing in the world during the Spring and autumn months - whilst The July Course is a heart stirring place of pure English countryside, garden party atmosphere and top entertainment at the height of summer.
The Home of Horseracing
Set in stunning Suffolk countryside yet only 60 miles from the capital, Newmarket has been home to horseracing since the 17th Century when it staged the first ever official race, the Town Plate. Now, as the site of the world's largest training grounds, the base for numerous racing organisations, trainers and jockeys and where more racehorses are bred, stabled and trained than anywhere else in the world, Newmarket is undoubtedly the Home of Horseracing.
The picture below was taken by Mandy Davis.
Things to do in Newmarket
Go racing at one of Newmarket's two great racecourses, The Rowley Mile or The July Course, meet the stallions, mares and foals at The National Stud, discover over 350 years of royal and racing history at The National Horseracing Museum, gain an exclusive glimpse behind the doors of the original headquarters of the Jockey Club, watch as £millions change hands at the blink of an eye at Tattersalls Bloodstock Sales, take a behind the scenes tour of the gallops and a trainer's yard with Hoofbeats Tours, take a guided history walk and see the former palace of Charles II and the home of his most famous mistress, Nell Gwyn.
The National Stud
Tattersalls - Europe's leading Bloodstock Auctioneers
Picture taken by Mandy Davis
The National Horseracing Museum
The City of Cambridge
The famous university City of Cambridge is just 12 miles from Newmarket and is well worth a visit at any time of year. Cambridge holds an unrivalled reputation for being a centre of excellence both in learning and ambiance. Although a city of some importance, Cambridge maintains an atmosphere of a bustling market town. A guided walking tour with one of our expert guides is a great way to see the sights and experience the character of this magnificent university city. Cambridge has lots of places of interest - the backs carpeted with spring flowers, King's College Chapel, punting on the River Cam, and, of course, the wonderful and historic college buildings.
Ely The Home of Oliver Cromwell
Ely is just 16 miles from Newmarket and was once the home to Oliver Cromwell, one of the most contentious figures in world-history. He played a leading role in bringing Charles I to trial and execution and championed a degree of religious freedom otherwise unknown in England before. In 1636 Oliver Cromwell inherited a large estate in Ely from Sir Thomas Steward, his maternal uncle. The Cromwell family left the area in 1647 but you can still visit their house today, which now doubles as the local tourist information centre. The other must-see in Ely is the magnificent cathedral. The imposing structure towers over the fens and can be seen for miles around. The national collection of British stained glass is displayed within its walls and nearby is the city's old gaol, now home to Ely's museum.
Bury St Edmunds
The picturesque town of Bury St Edmunds was described by William Cobbett as "the nicest town in the world" and it sits some 16 miles east of Newmarket along the A14. The town grew up around the powerful Abbey of St Edmund in early medieval times. For five centuries it was visited by pilgrims from all over the world, coming to worhsip at the shrine of St Edmund, the martyred king of East Anglia. Today in Bury St Edmunds you can follow in the Pilgrims' footsteps - the streets still follow the grid pattern devised by the abbots, making it easy to explore on foot.
Sacrarium Regis, Cunabula Legis - Shrine of the King, Cradle of the Law - is the motto of Bury St Edmunds, combining the connection between St Edmund and the Magna Carta. It is said that at St Edmund's Altar in 1214 AD the barons met and swore an oath that they would force King John to accept the Charter of Liberties. This would become known as the Magna Carta.
A short walk from the hustle and bustle of the town centre you will find the beautiful Abbey Gardens, a peaceful haven that protects the ruins of the Abbey of St Edmund.
