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The Crown and Downton Abbey

1 Night Itinerary

In 2019, The Crown, based on an award-winning play, ‘The Audience’, by showrunner Peter Morgan, has a scene filmed at Newmarket racecourse. This lavish, Netflix-original drama chronicles the life of Queen Elizabeth II and shows her love of horses and racing.

Join Discover Newmarket on one of their tours around the racecourse and other attractions within the town.

Other scenes were shot at Somerleyton Hall.

The Queen Anne-style Belchamp Hall in Suffolk was used for the Downton Abbey film A New Era as it had the required country pile plus church for the wedding of Tom Branson (Allen Leech) and Lucy Smith (Tuppence Middleton).

Downton Abbey: A New Era – on location at Belchamp Hall

Choose Your Day…
Day 1
Day 1
Aristocracy and Royalty

Charles II was a passionate horseracing fan and helped make Newmarket the world home of flat racing. The king founded the Round Course, part of which is still used today as the July Course, and built a new palace close to the High Street. His private quarters, including his bedroom, survive as Palace House which is now the home of the National Horse Racing Museum.
If you’re not here for a racing meet (the season runs from April to November), one of the tours will give you a fabulous insight into the workings of the racing industry. They include an early-morning visit to The Gallops, exploring the National Stud on foot or by bus, and champagne and afternoon tea.

Where to stay
Things to do
Map of Locations

All destinations on Day 1 of itinerary

Bedford Lodge Hotel & Spa
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The Angel Hotel
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The Ickworth Hotel
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Tuddenham Mill
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National Horse Racing Museum
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Bury St Edmunds Tour Guides
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St Edmundsbury Cathedral
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NT Ickworth House and Gardens
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