NEWMARKET RACECOURSE
Skip to Enclosures and Hospitality.
Introduction:
Considered by many to be the World Headquarters of thoroughbred horse racing, Newmarket is certainly the main centre of horse racing in Britain.
The statistics speak for themselves. In the Newmarket area, seventy seven trainers are responsible for well over 2,000 horses in training. There are sixty five stud farms, including the National Stud. There are two thousand eight hundred acres of fully maintained training grounds, with fifty miles of turf gallops, and seventeen miles of artificial gallops. In addition, many national and international racing organisations have their headquarters in Newmarket.
This immense racing infrastructure in the Newmarket area owes its existance to the British royal family. It was James the first who built the initial racecourse and grandstand on Newmarket Heath in the early years of the seventeenth century, but it was James's progeny, Charles I, and particularly his grandson Charles II, who developed this royal patronage of horse racing at Newmarket.
Indeed, it is a matter of historic record that Charles I was in residence at Newmarket at the start of the civil war, and his son, Charles II, was in residence at Newmarket when he wrote most of the 1665 Act of Parliament, the latter establishing the rules and regulations of horse racing in the United Kingdom.
As any one who studies history will know, Charles the second was a man of passions. Luckily for the British thoroughbred industry, two of his leading passions were horse racing and Newmarket, and during his reign, he was quite often in residence at his Newmarket base of Palace House, a residence he often shared with a certain Nell Gwyn.
After the death of the king, the building became the headquarters of the Jockey Club, who controlled British racing until their replacement in 1993.
Mindful of its racing heritage, Newmarket has managed to maintain the charm of its thatched roofs and historic traditions, while constantly upgrading and modernising its racecourse facilities. As befits the headquarters of racing, Newmarket is the busiest turf track in the United Kingdom, and between April and November of each calendar year, Newmarket stages thirty seven race meetings. These fixtures contain more Pattern and Listed races than any other British racecourse, and include the two classic races of the 1,000 and 2,000 Guineas.
In the summer months, after racing has finished, it is now possible to enjoy extended hospitality, while watching world famous vocal stars and bands performing in open air concerts on the racecourse.
Track facts:
As befits the headquarters of British flat racing, Newmarket has two racecourses.
The Rowley Mile Course is first used in April and May, and is revisited between September and November. In its full Cesarewitch length, it measures two miles two furlongs. From its furthest point, the first mile is relatively straight, and is followed by a single right hand bend on to an undulating one mile two furlong straight. About one and a half furlongs from the winning post, there is a noticeable dip, which is immediately followed by a climb over the final furlong. The course is wide and galloping, with an emphasis on stamina.
The July Course is the summer racetrack, and is used between June and August. It is two miles and twenty four yards in length. From its furthest point, the first mile is run on the Cesarewitch Course, then runners make a right hand turn on to the
Bunbury Mile Course. Like its Rowley counterpart, it is undulating, with an up hill section over the final furlong.
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.
Premier Ticket.
In this enclosure, the Millennium Grandstand and the Premier head on Grandstand offer the best views of both racecourses. However, ticket holders have access to all the public areas of the racecourses, and many race goers prefer to sample the party atmosphere of the summer facilities on the July Course.
As befits the headquarters of British racing, the range of food and drink facilities is breathtaking.
On the Rowley Course, the main restaurant is found in the form of the 380 seater Champions Gallery. Apart from good food and service, the elevated position of this restaurant offers superb views of all the racing action. The restaurant is extremely popular, and must be booked in advance.
On the Rowley Mile Course, other refreshment facilities include: the atmospheric Birdcage Bar, the Millennium Bar, and the Millennium Lounge. The last two venues offer superb views of the racecourses, and the Millennium Lounge also provides access to the viewing balcony for the parade ring. There is also a specialist Coffee Bar serving freshly ground coffee. The other facility in the Millennium grandstand is the Limekiln Suite, which serves drinks, teas, coffees and light snacks.
During the July Course fixtures, In the Premier Enclosure Head on Grandstand, race goers can choose to use the newly extended Summer House Restaurant. This facility has been recently extended, and has an air conditioned conservatory. The Summer House offers fine dining to three hundred race goers. The restaurant has already proved so popular, advance booking is essential.
Alternatively, patrons can choose the Bistro. This is a non reservation facility, serving everything from three course meals to light snacks, accompanied by beers, wines and champagnes. Thoroughbred ticket holders can use the facilities of the Thoroughbred Lounge, which serves hot and cold meals, and afternoon tea.
Other facilities on the July Course include: Mozarts Bistro, an alfresco, non reservation eating experience, serving hot and cold snacks, afternoon tea, plus beers, wines, and champagnes.
The Oasis Dream Champagne Bar, serves champagnes, pimms, and seafood dishes in a seated area.
Stravinskys serves drinks, including tea and coffee, also sandwiches and snacks. At evening meetings, it is a tapas bar.
The lively Cellar Bar, which is located between the racecourse and the parade ring, offers a full range of beers, wines and spirits.
The Sweet Solera, Ocean Swell, and Chief Singer Bars, serve draught beers, wines and spirits. While the Height of Fashion Bar serves beers to take away.
Grandstand and Paddock Ticket.
This ticket provides grandstand viewing of racing on both courses, plus there is access to the parade ring and winners enclosure. On festival days, the Century Grandstand is available as a viewing vantage point.
The Devils Dyke Café is self service, and offers hot meals, including all day breakfasts. Other snacks are available in the Paddock Food Court.
The Gordon Richards, Fred Archer, and Lester Piggott Bars offer drinks and snacks. The Minstrel, and Pretty Polly Bars adjoin the viewing terraces, and thereby enable patrons to obtain excellent views of the racing action. While the Paddock Bar overlooks the pre race action in the parade ring.
The Century Grandstand Bar is only open for the Guineas festival in late April or early May.
For these ticket holders, the July Course presents many options.
The Carroll House is a dining area and bar, situated away from the hustle and bustle, but still near to the viewing areas of the grandstand. It serves hot and cold dishes, but is non reservation.
The Royal Academy, and Abernant Bars, are lively adjacent facilities offering a large selection of drinks, and seating under canvas.
The Soviet Star Bar has a large seating area, and a large selection of drinks.
The Marwell Bar, and the Sports Bar, offer betting facilities plus a selection of drinks.
Powters food kiosk serves the famous powter sausages in baguettes, or with mash.
Rowley Enclosure Ticket.
This family enclosure is only open for the larger race meetings.
This is the furthest enclosure from the winning post, but temporary grandstands still give satisfactory views of the racing action. However, patrons are unable to visit the parade ring and winners enclosure.
The enclosure is served by bars and snack outlets.
Return to top.
Disabled Facilities:
As one would expect, Newmarket has award winning facilities for disabled
Race goers.
For blue badge holders, preferential car parking spaces are available near to the racecourse entrances. In addition, for race goers with severe mobility problems, a chauffeured buggy service is available between the car parks, and any chosen venue on the racecourse. To arrange this service, please contact the racecourse management team, see below.
There are viewing platforms with ramped access on both courses. These can also be used as vantage points on concert nights.
Audio loops are available.
Carers of wheelchair patrons will obtain a free pass at the racecourse entrances.
There are specialist toilet facilities in all enclosures on both racecourses.
On the July Course, there is access to all restaurants, with the exception of the Carroll House restaurant.
Fixtures:
Newmarket only stages flat racing.
2011:
Transport Links:
By Road:
Traffic from North and South can use the A1. Leave at A14 junction, and follow signs to Newmarket. The racecourse is well signposted. It is worth noting, the A14 also links with the M1 and M6.
From London, pick up the M11, and at junction 9, join the A11. Follow this dual carriageway to Six Mile Bottom. Exit at this point, and follow the signposts to the racecourses.
Car parking is generally free. However, Day Members can pay a supplement for preferential parking.
By Rail:
London race goers can use direct train services from Liverpool Street station, or alternatively Kings Cross station, to Cambridge, where they can pick up courtesy bus services running to the racecourse.
Travellers from other parts of the UK may find it easier to take train connections which call at Newmarket railway station.
Newmarket station is around ten minutes walk from the racecourse entrances.
By Bus:
Apart from the shuttle bus service between Cambridge railway station and the racecourses, there are several other regular bus services between Cambridge bus station and Newmarket. For full details, race goers are advised to contact Travel line on 0871 200 22 33.
The 747 express coach offers a service from Stanstead airport to Newmarket.
By Air:
Stanstead international airport is around forty five minutes drive from the racecourses.
Light aircraft can land at Cambridge airport, which is around 9 miles from Newmarket. For full details telephone, 01223 37 37 37.
Subject to advance clearance from the racecourse company, helicopters may obtain permission to land on the racecourses.
Contact Details:
Address:
Newmarket Racecourses,
Westfield House,
The Links,
Newmarket,
Suffolk,
CB8 0TG.
Telephone Number: 01638 67 55 00.
Fax Number: 01638 66 30 44.
E-Mail:
Accommodation:
Devere University Arms Hotel
Tel no: 01223 351 241.
With easy access to Cambridge railway station, and just minutes from Junction 11 of the M11, the De Vere University Arms Hotel is only a twenty minute drive from either Huntingdon or Newmarket Racecourses, and with prior arrangement, the hotel can secure private hire transport to and from the many summer flat race meetings at Newmarket, or the full winter programme of national hunt racing at Huntingdon.
The De Vere University Arms is a superb 4 Star hotel located in the centre of the historic City of Cambridge, offering race-goers the opportunity to secure luxury accommodation while they combine their love of horse racing with access to many historic sites, the beauty of the River Cam, shopping in the Grand Arcade and Grafton Centre or just sampling the vibrant entertainment and nightlife offered in the centre of Cambridge.
Over the years, the hotel has hosted some of the most important people in history, and the hotel’s frontage overlooks the green spaces of Parkers Piece, an historic area which witnessed Queen Victoria’s Coronation Feast in 1838, and was also the area where Cambridge university students first formalised the rules of Association Football prior to the establishment of the Football League.
The hotel offers 120 en suite luxury guest rooms, with every room cleverly combining Victorian décor with contemporary fabrics and furnishings for a pleasing blend of style and comfort. Our standard rooms include; remote controlled television with satellite channels, complimentary high speed internet access, and the many other standard room amenities discerning guests expect from a superior hotel. While guests seeking an elevated level of luxury should enquire about the hotels 2 suites, or possibly one of our four-poster rooms. The hotel also offers 24 hour room service, 24 hour porterage, and a same day dry cleaning service on request.
Restaurant 17 is located at the front of the hotel and is renowned for its creative and tasty Classic British Cuisine. With a team of chefs passionate about the use of the freshest seasonal ingredients, Restaurant 17 is a cullinary treat not to be missed. Parker’s Bar, which overlooks the famous Parker’s Piece, offers light snacks and an all day bar menu in an historic setting. Afternoon tea with a fine selection of sandwiches, homemade cakes and scones is available daily. More recent hotel history shows John Cleese worked in Parkers Bar during his student days.
For more details about the De Vere University Arms Hotel, or to ensure your quality accommodation ahead of your next trip to Huntingdon or Newmarket Races, use the link below:
Click Here
return to top
