HUNTINGDON RACECOURSE.
Skip to Enclosures and Hospitality.
Introduction:
Horse racing activity in the Huntingdon area can be traced back to the eighteenth century.
After racing failed to develop at other local venues, the current course was opened in 1886.
The only flat aspect of this fenland racecourse is its racing surface. Huntingdon is in fact, an exciting exponent of the national hunt tradition. This compact racecourse stages around nineteen days of jump racing in each calendar year, and caters for its knowledgeable and enthusiastic crowds by staging thrilling and competitive races. In particular, the two mile four and a half furlong Grade Two Peterborough Chase attracts some of the best steeplechasers in Britain and Ireland.
First run in 1978, over the last ten years, the Peterborough Chase has become synonymous with trainer Henrietta Knight. Between 1998 and 2001, her champion chaser, Edredon Bleu, won the race for a record four times in succession. There were then wins for Cheltenham Gold Cup icon Best Mate in 2002, and then for stable companion, Impec, in 2005. In 2006 and 2007, the West Lockinge Farm training establishment prepared Racing Demon for two successive wins.
Track facts:
Huntingdon is used solely for national hunt racing.
Runners race right handed over an extremely flat course of one mile and four furlongs in circuit length. Although the course is considered sharp, the bends and fences are fair, making Huntingdon suitable for even the longest striding gallopers.
The steeplechase course comprises nine fences laid out in the following Circuit pattern: the spectacular open ditch located in front of the grandstand, then two plain fences, the water jump, another plain fence, the second open ditch, and another three plain fences, the last two of which are situated prior to the winning post on the home straight.
The fences are stiff, and a sound jumper with proven pace should be the preferred option.
The hurdles course has five flights per circuit, with two being situated prior to the winning post on the home straight.
On most occasions at Huntingdon, pace is preferred to stamina. Stayers only stand a chance on the rare days when the going becomes soft or heavy.
Return to top.
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.
Main Enclosure Ticket.
The Grandstands provides views of the home straight and winning post, plus There is access to the parade ring and the new winners enclosure.
The Peterborough Chase Restaurant is a glass fronted dining area on the first floor of the main grandstand. Catering for up to one hundred and fifty guests, it offers an excellent menu, panoramic views of the racecourse and parade ring, plus full day access to your table. As this is a very popular facility, advance booking is essential.
On the first floor of the main grandstand, drinks, snacks, and good views of the racecourse are available from Bevans Bar. While on the ground floor, Lentons Bar serves a hot dish of the day plus a good selection of drinks.
Other facilities include, The Champagne and Seafood Bar, The Hurdles Food Hall, the Gifford Bar, and the Smith Eccles Bar. Many of these facilities were refurbished in 2007.
Picnic Ticket.
This area is open for fixtures on a Saturday, Sunday, Bank Holiday, or for any evening meetings.
To ensure superb views of the racing action, cars are allowed to park along the running rail.
Race goers can bring their own picnic, or enjoy a snack and drink in Hugos Bar.
Return to top.
Disabled facilities:
Blue badge holders can obtain preferential parking near to the entrances. In addition, the entrances have gates suitable for wheelchair clearance.
The grandstands have suitable lifts and designated viewing areas, and the Peterborough Chase Restaurant has a covered viewing balcony facing the home straight.
Apart from the grandstand viewing areas, there is an elevated viewing platform on the main lawn.
Specialist toilet facilities are available in most areas of the racecourse.
Wheelchair access and lowered counters are available at most bars and Tote betting facilities.
Guide dogs are allowed access to the public areas.
Subject to prior arrangement, a disabled visitor and carer are admitted on a single ticket. For details telephone: 01480 45 33 73
Fixtures:
All races run at Huntingdon are under National Hunt rules.
2011:
Tuesday 24 May
TRANSPORT LINKS.
By Road:
Huntingdon racecourse is just outside Brampton. North and south bound traffic on the A1 should join the A14 at Brampton. Half a mile later, the racecourse is signposted at junction 22 of the A14.
From the east, join the A1 via the M11, and from the west, traffic can join the A1 via the M6.
Car parking is free of charge.
By Rail:
There is a direct service between London Kings Cross and Huntingdon station. If travelling from the north, it is necessary to change at Peterborough.
Huntingdon railway station is two miles from the racecourse. A shuttle bus service operates on race days, with the last departure from the racecourse being one hour after the last race.
By Bus:
Huntingdon Is served by National Express coaches.
By Air:
Cambridge city airport is nineteen miles from the racecourse. Landing permission for private aircraft is available by telephoning: 01223 37 37 37.
Subject to permission from the Racecourse Company, helicopters may land on the racecourse.
CONTACT DETAILS.
Address:
Huntingdon Racecourse,
Brampton,
Huntingdon,
Cambridgeshire,
PE28 4NL.
Tel No: 01480 45 33 73.
Fax No: 01480 45 52 75.
ACCOMMODATION.
De Vere University Arms Hotel Cambridge.
Tel no: 01223 351 241.
The De Vere University Arms Hotel is only a twenty minute drive from *Huntingdon\Newmarket racecourse, but it is an ideal venue for race goers who desire luxury accommodation while they enjoy themselves in the historic and vibrant City of Cambridge. Indeed, just staying in the University Arms is a brush with history in itself. The original building was first completed in 1834, and the hotel also overlooks Parker’s Piece, a famous area of Cambridge which was the site of Queen Victoria’s Coronation Feast in 1838, and was also the area where Cambridge university students first formalised the rules of Association Football.
The De Vere University Arms now has 119 en suite luxury guest rooms. every room is extremely comfortable, and combines splendid Victorian décor with contemporary fabrics and furnishings. Our standard rooms include; remote controlled television with satellite channels, high speed internet access, and a plethora of amenities guests would expect in a quality hotel. For that extra bit of luxury, we also offer four poster rooms, and magnificent suites. Naturally, there is 24 hour room service, 24 hour porterage, and a same day dry cleaning service.
Restaurant 17 is renowned for its beautifully created and very tasty classic dining. The hotel’s head chef is passionate about using the freshest local ingredients, thereby adding excitement and inventiveness to his classic british dishes. Parker’s Bar, which overlooks the famous Parker’s Piece, offers light snacks and a great atmosphere, and you never know who will end up serving you, for in his student days, John Cleese once worked behind Parker’s Bar.
For more details and booking information for the De Vere University Arms Hotel, use the link below.
http://www.devere-hotels.com/our-hotels/university-arms/the-hotel?gclid=CM-wp4SD4pMCFQkYQgod3Q-pzA
Cambridge Belfry Hotel.
Tel no: 01954 714 600.The Cambridge Belfry is a superbly appointed 4 star hotel located adjacent to the new urban development at Cambourne in Cambridgeshire. The hotel uses original artwork and paintings to generate a modern contemporary atmosphere throughout its public rooms. Only a short trip from junction 13 of the M11, the hotel is the perfect oasis for race goers attending either Huntingdon or Newmarket races.
The Cambridge Belfry Hotel offers 120 fully en suite guest rooms. There are 6 indulgent and lavishly designed penthouses which occupy all of the third floor of the hotel. Amongst the remaining 114 rooms, there are 4 junior suites , all with Jaccuzzi baths, 19 deluxe rooms, and 6 accessible rooms for guests with low mobility needs. For family groups, several of the rooms have interconnecting doors. All of the hotel’s well appointed rooms offer the kind of amenities guests expect from a top quality hotel, including; remote controlled television with satellite channels, DVD player, broadband internet with 2 hours of free wi-fi access, well appointed bathrooms, and of course, prompt and friendly 24 hour room service.
The 2R Rosette award winning Bridge Restaurant has a superb reputation for appetising cosmopolitan cuisine. Where ever possible, all food used in our innovative menus is sourced at its freshest from local providers, whereas, to compliment our meals, we have searched the world to bring our guests a superb selection of quality wines. For total indulgence, guests are encouraged to try one of our sweets, which are prepared freshly on a daily basis by our Pastry Chef. When the Bridge Restaurant is closed on a Sunday evening, guests can enjoy the hotel’s Brasserie menu. Alternatively, all day light bites and bar style meals are available in the hotel’s bar and lounge.
All hotel residents have free access to Reflections Spa and Leisure Club, including its fully equipped gymnasium, heated luxury indoor swimming pool, sauna, steam room, and the actual Spa, with its range of beauty therapies and body treatments. The hotel also has its own floodlit tennis courts, and can arrange golfing packages at nearby courses.
For further information on the Cambridge Belfry Hotel, or to book directly, click on the link below.
http://www.qhotels.co.uk/hotels/the-cambridge-belfry-cambridge-cambridgeshire/
