GREAT YARMOUTH RACECOURSE
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Introduction:
The first horse racing in Great Yarmouth would appear to have been staged in 1715. From local records, it is known the towns corporation gave leave to a group of publicans led by one John Holdrich, to build a racecourse on the South Denes. For nearly a century, these original race meetings were local in nature, and offered limited prize money. So it was 1810 before prize money reached sufficient proportions for Great Yarmouth races to be included in the official Wetherbys listings.
In 1819, and 4 years after the end of the Napoleonic Wars with France, a Doric style Greek pillar and its accompanying monument to Admiral Lord Nelson were positioned in the middle of the race track. Although the South Denes racecourse eventually closed in 1904, the monument has continued to attract admiring visitors right up to the present day.
For various reasons, including the fact that during the first world war Great Yarmouth was shelled by German warships, local horse racing suffered a hiatus in the early years of the twentieth century.
However, due to local enterprise, the sport returned to Great Yarmouth when the current North Denes racecourse was opened in 1920.
Between March and October of each year, Great Yarmouth stages around twenty flat race meetings, and the track is often used by top trainers as a good learning experience for their two year old colts and fillies.
Track facts:
Great Yarmouth only stages flat racing.
The course is run left handed over a non undulating oval circuit which measures one mile five furlongs in circumference.
The five furlong home straight is joined at the home turn by a three and a half furlong chute. This course is used for straight races of up to one mile in duration.
On the straight course, in larger fields of runners, high drawn horses have a statistical advantage.
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Enclosures and hospitality:
The listings below do not include the facilities available to Annual Members, Owners and Trainers, and Corporate Guests. These can be obtained by contacting the racecourse.
Premier Ticket.
The Premier enclosure comprises the middle floor of the Lord Nelson Grandstand, and the lawns to the front of this vantage point. These areas are opposite the winning post, and provide the best views of the racecourse. Ticket holders also have full access to the parade ring, the winners enclosure, and all the other public areas of the course.
The Trafalgar is the premier restaurant on the racecourse. Apart from excellent food in comfortable surroundings, the restaurant offers great views of the course and parade ring. Tables may be booked for the whole day, and can include afternoon tea. Due to the popularity of this facility, advance booking is essential.
Champagne and fine wines are available in the Hoops Marquee Bar. This facility also serves snacks, and afternoon tea.
The Victory is a fully stocked bar. From its first floor position in the Lord Nelson Grandstand, it offers patrons superb views of the racing action.
Grandstand and Paddock Ticket.
The two grandstands in this area also provide excellent views of the racecourse, plus a panorama of the action in the finishing straight. Ticket holders may also visit the parade ring and winners enclosure.
The Vice Admiral Bar is located on the ground floor of the Lord Nelson Grandstand, and is open to all race goers. Apart from a fully stocked bar, it offers snacks, has a large closed circuit television screen, and is located close to the tote betting hall.
The Grandstand and Paddock Bar is located on the first floor, and overlooks the betting ring. Apart from a fully stocked bar, this facility includes the
Fish Box, a counter serving locally caught fish and shellfish delicacies.
The Buttery Bar is adjacent to the weighing room, and overlooks the lawns to the rear of the grandstands. A large closed circuit television screen keeps race goers up to date on all the racing action.
The Silver Bar edges the family lawn, and apart from a large bar, it also includes the sausage and mash servery.
The Family Tearoom is located near the racecourse entrances, and serves hot and cold meals, and hot and cold drinks.
The Fastfood Lawn has various kiosks selling fish and chips, burgers,
ice cream etc. For self catering race goers, there is also a picnic area on the lawns in front of the grandstands.
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Disabled Facilities:
Two ramped and elevated viewing platforms are situated adjacent to the home straight running rails.
Lift access is available to the Trafalgar Restaurant.
Specialist toilet facilities are located on every floor of the Lord Nelson Grandstand, and also at the rear of the middle grandstand, near the catering concessions.
Carers of disabled race goers are admitted free of charge.
Fixtures:
Great Yarmouth only stages flat racing.
2011:
Monday 18 July
Tuesday 19 July
Transport Links:
By Road:
Great Yarmouth racecourse is situated on the northern edge of the town, and is just off the road to Caister.
From the north and midlands, it is probably best to use the A47. Race goers from the south can also use the A47 approach, but this involves initially taking the A11, and then joining the A47 south of Norwich. Alternatively, the A12 provides access to Great Yarmouth via Colchester, Ipswich and Lowestoft.
Which ever route is chosen, on approach to Great Yarmouth, yellow Automobile Association road signs give comprehensive guidance to the racecourse.
Car Parking is in the Freemantle Road car park, and this involves a small parking fee.
By Rail:
There is a direct train service from Great Yarmouth to Norwich. From Norwich, there are direct connections to London Liverpool Street, Manchester Oxford Road, and Peterborough. The latter giving access to the main east coast line.
Great Yarmouth railway station is a flat one mile walk from the racecourse. Alternatively, there are taxis, or bus connections from the nearby bus station.
By Bus:
National Express coaches operate to Great Yarmouth.
By Air:
Norwich International is the nearest airport, and is located around 20 miles from Great Yarmouth. Norwich airport offers domestic flights to eight United Kingdom destinations, plus a daily flight to Dublin.
Light aircraft may land at nearby Ludham airfield. Telephone, 01493 36 99 69.
Subject to prior permission from the racecourse management, helicopters may land on the racecourse.
Contact Details:
Address:
Great Yarmouth Racecourse,
Jellicoe Road,
Great Yarmouth,
Norfolk,
NR30 4AU.
Telephone Number: 01493 84 25 27.
Fax Number: 01493 84 32 54.
E-Mail:
Accommodation:
North Drive
Great Yarmouth
Norfolk
NR30 1EQ
Fax01493 852229
Just a few minutes from Yarmouth Racecourse, the Award Winning Imperial Hotel offers discerning race-goers the perfect location from which to combine a trip to the Races with the perfect overnight stay or mini-break.
Situated on a relaxed section of the Great Yarmouth promenade, and with superb beach and sea views, the family run Imperial is Great Yarmouth’s only 4 Star Hotel, and with it’s own award winning restaurant, and warm, friendly, and professional staff, who always strive to go the extra yard for the hotel’s guests, the Imperial lives up to it’s billing as simply the best place to stay when visiting Great Yarmouth.
The Imperial offers a choice of 39 individually styled and comfortable en suite Guest Rooms, many with sea views, and some with balconies. Whether you select a single, double, twin, or king size option, All rooms offer remote controlled flat screen television with freeview, radio, telephone, wi-fi internet access, tea and coffee making facilities, and the many other room amenities guests expect from a superior 4 star hotel. Family suites are also available,. In-room drinks and a lite-bite menu are available 24 hours a day, and the hotel also offers a same day laundry service and guests launderette.
Although part of the hotel, the Café Cru Restaurant has a style and atmosphere all of its own. Open to residents and non-residents alike, the renowned Café Cru team have a motto of ‘don’t fuss with the food, let the quality shine through’, and consequently, they use only the freshest ingredients which are carefully prepared and simply presented in what can be described as - ‘The Best of Modern British Cuisine’.
While the food at the Imperial Hotel is simply superb, there is also a wine list that could be considered as one of the most comprehensive selections of quality wines available at any hotel in Britain – wines being available in both the Café Cru Restaurant, also in Bar Fizz and The Terrace with its superb sea views opening and closing roof where guests can enjoy a selection of quality snacks and meals with a comprehensive selection of bar drinks and beverages.
To obtain full details on the Imperial Hotel Great Yarmouth, or to ensure you secure quality accommodation ahead of the next meeting at Yarmouth Races, please click on the link below:
www.imperialhotel.co.uk
Hotel Victoria Lowestoft.
Tel no: 01502 57 44 33.
Proudly overlooking blue flag beaches from its key position on Kirkley Cliffs, the Hotel Victoria Lowestoft is within easy reach of Great Yarmouth Racecourse, and offers discerning race-goers a perfect base from where to combine a love of horseracing with an unforgetable stay in an oasis of comfort and relaxation. By pre-arrangement, the hotel can even organise transport to and from the Races.
The Hotel Victoria’s picturesque and historic façade is more than matched by its modern attractive interior, and this includes its 24 en suite comfortable and stylish guest rooms. Some rooms offer sea views, but all guest rooms provide remote controlled flat screen television, complimentary wi-fi access, direct dial telephones, and the many other room amenities discerning guests expect from a superior hotel. It is even possible to select from a range of bathroom options.
If you are seeking that little bit extra during your stay, be sure to enquire about their Deluxe rooms, with fantastic sea views, lounge area, and in-room ‘extras’.
To ensure you enjoy every facet of your stay at the Hotel Victoria Lowestoft, the hotel’s staff also pride themselves on going the extra mile for all guests, and of course, there is 24 hour room service. With a lift to all floors, the hotel is totally ‘access friendly’.
The Coast Lounge Bar and Restaurant is the perfect place to unwind after a busy day, with guests able to enjoy superb sea views while the hotel’s attentive staff offer friendly service and advice. Head Chef and his team ensure the restaurant’s menu reflects the availability of fresh local produce with local fish, seafood, pork and game featuring when they are totally fresh and in season.
To find out a lot more about the Hotel Victoria Lowestoft, or to ensure you have quality hotel accommodation for your next visit to Great Yarmouth Races, click on the link below:
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