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 first world war, 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:
Friday 20 May
Tuesday 31 May
Wednesday 08 June
Thursday 09 June
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:
Hotel Victoria, Lowestoft.
Tel no: 01502 57 44 33.
Overlooking Lowestoft’s blue flag beaches, the award winning Hotel Victoria offers superior hospitality to discerning race goers attending Great Yarmouth races. The hotel has 24 en suite bedrooms, including superior rooms with panoramic sea views. All guest rooms have remote controlled digital television, telephone with modem point, and the standard room amenities of a quality hotel. There is also 24 hour room service, and total accessibility to all areas of the hotel.
The recently refurbished ‘Coast’ offers a relaxed lounge and contemporary dining experience with stunning sea views and helpful service. Strong emphasis is placed on sourcing local ingredients to create modern English dishes.
For full details on the Hotel Victoria, use the hyper link below.
http://www.thehotelvictoria.co.uk/
