Discover Newmarket is the official tourism service for Newmarket and the surrounding area. We work with local tourism businesses and stakeholders to promote our historic town on a local, region, national and international level. We offer visitors a unique opportunity to go behind the scenes at racing’s headquarters to see the equine stars at work and learn about the fascinating history, heritage and culture of this historic town. Our expert guides deliver tours for groups and individuals which can be organised for as little or as long as you want. We also run our most popular tours on set dates throughout the year which anyone can book onto. See our Tours Page for more information.
Our trained guides hold a wealth of information between them and are passionate about the town’s history and heritage. Many have worked within the horse racing industry for most of their lives and are keen to share their personal knowledge and stories with you. In booking a tour with us you can be assured of first class service, in depth knowledge and a style and humour that will ensure you are entertained and educated at the same. Come and meet the guides:
Ann used to work for John Warren, Willy Hastings-Bass and Banstead Manor Stud. She has a degree in modern languages speaking French, Italian and the basics of other European languages. Ann has worked for a tour guide for many years whilst also running her own e-commerce business.
Char was born and bred into racing and has ridden out for many trainers including Bruce Hobbs and Sir Henry Cecil. She grew too tall to be a jockey so turned her hand to Point to Pointing with her best result being a brave 2nd! Char has a huge wealth of knowledge, having lived and breathed racing for all her life and is one of our long standing guides.
Malcolm was a National Hunt Amateur Jockey at the age of 23, and later in life went on to be a designer and builder of stables and other buildings for the racing industry in Newmarket. Malcolm is our longest serving tour guide, having taken up guiding in 1995, and so can tell a story or two!
Larry has worked in racing since 1968, starting as a stable lad then going on to become an Apprentice Jockey on the flat. His achievements include a winner on the flat and 24 winners over jumps in both the UK and Italy. He worked for many years on thoroughbred stud farms. As well as tour guide for Discover Newmarket he also works at the National Horseracing Museum.
Sandie’s career in the racing industry started in the 1970’s when she rode out, and was secretary to, a Lambourn trainer. Following this she was secretary/PA to a leading Newmarket stud farm before joining her husband in his bloodstock agency. She has attended all bloodstock sales in the UK, Ireland, France and the USA, and works alongside her husband in stud and racing management.
Annie has a passion for horses and has ridden all her life. Exposed to racing as a youngster thanks to her mother, a keen racegoer, as well as her uncles – one was a commentator and another an owner – Annie has enjoyed horseracing ever since. Living in Newmarket has also seen Annie, who holds a diploma in French, befriending many of the industry role players including vets, trainers and bloodstock agents.
Wendy’s stepfather was a National Hunt trainer – he was a Grand National winner and also formed 4 champion jockeys, including Dick Francis. She was married to a trainer in France and worked for the French racing authorities and the Bloodstock sales. On her return to England she started a catering company and was based at the Jockey Club Rooms for 15 years.
Nigel started his racing career at 14 riding for Fulke Walwyn. He rode a number of winners over fences and on the flat as an amateur. He has served in the Military, on Stud Farms in New Zealand, the US and the UK and train privately at Stetchworth Park Stud. He is a member of the TBA Council and won the TBA Dominion Prize for services to Racing and Breeding.
Welsh by birth and optician by profession, Gaynor rode before she could walk and is fiercely passionate about all things equine. She fell in love with Newmarket when she came to the races 24 years ago and has now lived here for several years. She has been racing around the world, including Australia, France, Dubai and Wales!
In his early life Richard was a journalist in East Anglia before moving into public relations, working mainly in London. He has lived in the Newmarket area for over 40 years and, with family connections to the world of horseracing, he has developed a keen interest in the bloodstock industry.
Frankie spent her early life in show business, travelling the world, and then had a successful career in tourism and hospitality. She has been a qualified Blue Badge Guide for over 15 years and is passionate about the history of Newmarket and how the ‘Home of British Horseracing’ developed.
Al Basti Equiworld is the proud suppliers of feeds, feed supplements, veterinary medicines and other horse requisites to the equine industry. The company was established in 1998 and have quickly become pioneers in the equine industry. Al Basti have always recommended and introduced the best quality natural products which have shown a very good response from the market.
Recently awarded 4 Red Stars by the AA, the independently-owned Bedford Lodge Hotel & Spa is one of only 67 hotels in the whole of the UK to be awarded the exclusive accolade. The Spa at Bedford Lodge Hotel opened in July of 2013 and has been recently named one of the top five most romantic retreats in the whole of the UK by the Good Spa Guide. The Spa was also a finalist in the 2015 Spa of the Year category in the prestigious Professional Beauty Awards.
The Best Western Heath Court is a privately-owned hotel located just off the main High Street and only a few hundred yards from the famed Warren Hill training grounds. It offers 41 guest bedrooms ranging from standard, executive and suites all with the comforts of home including full Sky Sports, At the Races and Racing UK.
Godolphin is HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum’s global thoroughbred breeding operation. Its headquarters are at Dalham Hall Stud, located within the historic home of racing, Newmarket, and Discover Newmarket is delighted to be able to offer tours to this amazing location.
Based in Newmarket at the Jockey Club Rooms, Jockey Club Estates manages a substantial property portfolio, offering a diverse range of services to its clients. Its passion and purpose is to provide the finest facilities in the world for the training of Thoroughbred racehorses in Newmarket and Lambourn.
Juddmonte is one of the leading breeders in the world and have bred over 100 individual Group/Grade 1 winners of 200 Group/Grade 1 races, including Classic winners. Juddmonte Farms manages a substantial property portfolio, offering a diverse range of services to its clients. Its passion and purpose is to provide the finest facilities in the world for the training of Thoroughbred racehorses in Newmarket and Lambourn.
When you visit one of Newmarket’s Racecourses you will be taking your place in over 260 years worth of racing history. The thunder of hooves, the spectacular colours and the tinkle of champagne glasses are all part of the thrill and excitement of a great day at the races. With two racecourses to choose from, the Rowley Mile and The July Course, race goers are spoilt for choice.
Newmarket Town Council strives to improve the quality of life of the people of Newmarket through the provision of services, activities and events while supporting the economic vibrancy of the town and promoting environmentally friendly policies.
As well as upholding the democratic process, Newmarket Town Council is committed to providing a forum for discussion and decision-making, and a platform to represent the interests of the people of Newmarket.
Founded in 1766 by Richard Tattersall, Tattersalls is the oldest bloodstock auctioneers in the world and the largest in Europe. Today, Tattersalls is an international firm offering 10,000 thoroughbred horses each year across 15 sales at either its Newmarket headquarters in England, or at Fairyhouse outside Dublin, in Ireland.
Tattersalls has a commitment based on more than 200 years of service; a commitment to offer the best thoroughbreds to be found anywhere in the world, and a commitment to the highest standards of integrity and service.
The Jockey Club Rooms in Newmarket, Suffolk, has been at the heart of British horseracing for over 250 years. As a private members club, few people have had the privilege of stepping inside and seeing the magnificent interiors, which house an unparalleled collection of British racing memorabilia.
The Jockey Club Rooms is available for non-members to use as a prestigious Suffolk venue for weddings, high-level business meetings and overnight accommodation.
The National Horseracing Museum is situated in Charles II’s sporting palace and stables and spans five acres in the heart of Newmarket. It comprises three complementary attractions; an interactive Museum, a National Art Gallery of British Sporting Art, and a chance to meet former racehorses and learn what they do after racing, in the flagship home of Retraining of Racehorses.
The National Stud was founded in 1916 when Lord Wavertree (also known as Colonel William Hall Walker) donated his stud farm and bloodstock to the British Government. The National Stud opened its gates to the public for the first time in the mid 1970’s. To this day The National Stud remains the only commercial stud farm in the UK allowing individuals, small groups and large parties the chance to see behind the scenes of a working Thoroughbred stud farm.
The exceptional National Stud tours run through the year so there is plenty of opportunity to re-visit the stud to experience different parts of the breeding process. These unique tours include visits to the Foaling Unit and nursery paddocks in the early spring, where you may see newborn foals. You also get to see the superb Stallion Unit, with the opportunity to see the stallions in their paddocks or going about their daily work. Additionally, you get to see various yards and paddocks where you can watch the mares and foals grazing and enjoying the sunshine.
Situated in Newmarket, England, where Thoroughbred Racehorses have been bred for more than 300 years, LANWADES is one of the very few stallion studs in England still managed by its owner. Home to stallions Bobby’s Kitten, Sea The Moon and Sir Percy.
14/06/2021
Discover Newmarket Group Tours go with a Banger!
Discover Newmarket has always warmly welcomed groups to the Home of Horseracing but after a tough year they wanted to make sure coach operators knew just how much they were valued.
02/06/2021
Here Comes Summer!
Your June Guide to Festivals and Events in and around Newmarket
Even without confirmation of what the restrictions are likely to be for 21st June, the month is filling up nicely with lots of festivals and events planned.
29/04/2021
Escape the Everyday and Visit the National Stud this Summer
Behind-the-scenes experiences resume at the home of thoroughbred breeding.
Tours of The National Stud return from 17 May as lockdown restrictions ease.
21/04/2021
Unexplored England – Discover The Home of Horseracing
With so many of us considering a staycation this year, we invite you to discover Suffolk and stay at the spiritual Home of Horseracing.
08/04/2021
Al Fresco Dining – it’s all the rage!
There is less than a week to go before we see the re-opening of some of our best loved cafes, bars and restaurants , albeit for outside drinking and eating only.
30/03/2021
It’s all about the Number Six this Easter
The Rule of Six
The importance of the number six has taken on a whole new meaning since the pandemic hit as we can now once again gather as a group of six people – albeit outside.
02/03/2021
Mothering Sunday Treat
Give your mum a break from the cooking and home school learning by treating her to a special takeaway this Mother’s Day.
03/02/2021
Feel the love this Valentine’s Day
We all know the rules and current guidelines are going to prevent us celebrating Valentines in the usual way, but by now we are kind of used to celebrating at home.
