Visit Suffolk

Explore Newmarket, Suffolk

Newmarket is a small attractive market town situated on the Suffolk/Cambridgeshire border just 20 minutes from Cambridge, Bury St. Edmunds and Ely and famous throughout the world as the home of Horseracing.

Home to over 5000 thoroughbred horses - approximately 2500 in training and another 2500 on the stud farms in and around the town, Newmarket has been associated with horses and royalty since Queen Boadicea's days but became synonymous with racing in the 17th century when King James I moved his court to the town and became the unofficial second capital of England for the rest of the Stuart period. Kings Charles I and Charles II continued the tradition and in 1752 the arrival of The Jockey Club, racing's first administrative body, established Newmarket as the headquarters of racing.

This unique town has two racecourses, 52 stud farms, 75 licensed trainers and is home to the Jockey Club, the governing body of horseracing, Tattersalls - the biggest equine auction house in Europe - founded in 1776, and two of the largest equine hospitals and veterinary centres.

As you arrive in the town, the impact of the horseracing industry is immediately obvious, not only because of the horse walks (pavements) and traffic lights (horse crossing warning lights and signs) that you will see, there to help them make their journey from their yard to the exercise grounds a safe one, but also because open heathland stretches for miles at both ends of the town, with the main training ground - Warren Hill - running right into the town centre. It is here where you can go from Monday to Saturday, between sunrise and 1pm, to watch the horses and jockeys training. Newmarket is regularly visited by world famous jockeys, members of The Royal Family and a variety of celebrity owners, many of whom can be seen either out riding on the gallops exercising the horses they may be racing, or with their trainers watching their horses being put through their paces. The surrounding area is also home to some of the world's 50 most important stud farms, including Darley Stud, the world renowned Sheikh Mohammed's breeding industry.  Your morning on the gallops can be complemented by a trip to one of the training yards for a 'behind the scenes' tour and a tour to one of the stud farms to see both past and future champions!

To discover the stories of racing - the people, the horses and the history, be sure to stop by the National Horse Racing Museum. From the early royal origins to its modern-day heroes, take a look behind the scenes of the dynamic and colourful world of horseracing.

To help you indulge further into this magnificent market town, the Newmarket Experience gives you an unique opportunity to see behind the scenes at racing's headquarters and its magnificent sport. Finally, a perfect visit to Newmarket is not complete without a visit to one of Newmarket Racecourses' 38 days of racing across the year.

Newmarket, SuffolkNewmarket, Suffolk
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Bedford Lodge, Newmarket

Bedford Lodge Hotel

Of all Newmarket hotels, only one offers you 4 stars: Bedford Lodge retains the charm and character of a country house yet offers the very best in modern comfort and luxury, providing a perfect blend of old and new. The hotel epitomises the finest in contemporary style, the very best that Suffolk has to offer. Each one of the opulent guest rooms and suites is chic and comfortable and comes equipped with the latest technology, a perfect mix of unsurpassed accommodation and first-rate facilities set in wonderful surroundings. More info...  

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Newmarket Racecourses

Newmarket Racecourses

It's Serious Fun! Newmarket is the historic home of horseracing offering a treasure trove of sights and sounds. Quite simply anyone with even a passing interest in the ‘sport of kings' should visit Newmarket Racecourses or anyone who simply wants a great day out with friends and family. Newmarket Racecourses hosts 38 days of racing from April to October in 2011. More info...

Newmarket Experience

Newmarket Experience

When visiting Newmarket you step into the heart of the racing world. The Newmarket Experience gives you a unique opportunity to see behind the scenes at racing's headquarters and its magnificent sport. Get up close and personal with thoroughbred stallions, mares and foals at the National Stud. Discover 350 years of racing history at the National Horseracing Museum. See the world's leading trainers and jockeys at work with the cream of racing's crop on the world famous Warren Heath. Take a tour round The Jockey Club Rooms. More info...