Take a read of our frequently asked questions which provides more information about our guided tours. If you have a question that is not addressed here then please do not hesitate to contact us on 01638 501122. Please note, this line is only manned Monday to Fridays, 8 am until 4 pm.
This is a common misconception! Our tours are suited for anyone who likes entertaining and engaging experiences and you certainly don’t need to know anything about horses to appreciate them. Newmarket has a rich history and heritage and its story is a fascinating one which our guides love to tell, each with their own take!
Well yes and no. We have a variety of guided walking tours which focus specifically on the history and heritage of the town such as our Food and Drink Trail , Royalty Tour and Dick Francis Literary Tour. So, whilst you will not be taken specifically to see any horses, they will undoubtedly be mentioned! We are immensely proud of our history but appreciate that not everyone shares our love of the thoroughbred. However, we are convinced that once you’ve been on one of our tours, you too will feel our passion for our town’s origins and appreciate why Newmarket is unique.
Yes we do and they are very popular. Most of our Public Tours can be booked as a Private Tour on a day of your choice (subject to availability), making them the perfect experience to celebrate a special occasion or just to treat yourself. Check our Tours Page which will clearly state which tours provide a private option.
You can indeed! You can purchase gift vouchers for a number of our tours. We provide digital vouchers that can be programmed to be sent on a given date.
We request that everyone arrives at least 15 minutes prior to the start time to ensure that the tour starts promptly.
Most tours will have a designated arrival and departure point and you will be able to leave your vehicle there for the day. If not, we will advise you to park in one of the public car parks that have modest parking fees.
Meeting points are specified on your ticket confirmation at point of sale and again in your reminder email sent approximately 7 days in advance of your tour date.
A reminder email will be sent out approximately 7 days in advance of your tour date and will have your guide’s name and contact number. If you know you are running late or have any other unexpected issues, please call the guide. However, please note, if it is a public tour, it is unlikely that the tour start can be delayed.
Unless advised otherwise, your tour itinerary will be as stated on our tours booking page. A reminder email is sent out approximately 7 days before your tour date and will include any last minute changes along with the name of your guide and their contact details should there be any issues on the morning of your tour.
Tickets are issued as part of the booking process and your Tour Guide will have all the relevant information with regards to your booking. All you need to do is meet your Tour Guide on the day. We do also recommend having access to your booking details, should there be any last minute problems.
The itineraries published on our website do not usually change. However, please note that many of our tours comprise of visits to fully operational, working establishments with environments that are susceptible to change. For the safety of our visitors and to ensure a high standard of visitor experience, Discover Newmarket reserves the right to alter itineraries if it deems necessary. Equally, Discover Newmarket cannot guaranty which horses will be available to view and at times there may be reduced numbers.
Discover Newmarket tours take place in all weathers so be prepared! No special clothing or footwear is needed but we suggest you dress for comfort and wear appropriate footwear. Most of our tours are conducted outdoors where you are likely to be walking on grass and unpaved areas. Please note, the use of umbrellas is prohibited whilst in sight of the horses as they can be easily spooked.
On tours of The National Stud there is not a great deal of walking involved except when moving from the tour bus to various stops on the tour. You are required to stand at times, but there is seating available relatively close by. You might have a walk of about 100 yards at the Stallion Unit and even fewer when stopping at the Foaling Unit and the paddocks.
On some of our other tours there is a bit more walking involved and standing, some of it dependent on which yards we are visiting. When it comes to visiting the gallops, there is some walking involved but you do also have the option of remaining with the bus or to stand on the railing and watch the horses. If you have any mobility concerns, please contact us so we can discuss options with you in advance.
A number of our vehicles have full wheelchair access. However, in order to provide the best possible service for those with specific accessibility needs, do contact us in advance to discuss.
Unfortunately, no animals are allowed on our tours. If you require an assistance dog, please speak to us in advance.
Our National Stud Tour is perfect for children of any age and we even offer free places for children under the age of five. Children are also encouraged to take a quiz sheet and answer the questions as they go around the National Stud.
A visit to National Horse Racing Museum is fantastic for children of all ages and they can enjoy various interactive exhibits, a ride on the racehorse simulator as well as various themed events depending on the time of the year.
The rest of our tours may not retain the interest for very young children, but if in doubt, do discuss with us in advance of booking. All children under 18, must be accompanied by an adult.
Most definitely! We cater for groups of all sizes and offer a bespoke service, thus tailoring your tour to your group’s interests and budgets. Visit our Groups page for more information.
We actively encourage you to take photos especially if you tag us in and then we can share on our socials! There may be odd occasions during yard visits, where the trainer asks us not to take photos and in which case you will be advised on the day.
Tickets are non-refundable. In the unlikely event that Discover Newmarket has to cancel, then a full refund will be issued. We reserve the right to cancel a tour if the required minimum number for each tour is not met.
Thoroughbreds have strict exercise and diet regimes and therefore we ask that no food and drink are brought on our tours. Smoking including vaping is also strictly forbidden.
A new interpretation board and commemorative plaque have been unveiled at Newmarket railway station, marking the town’s rich railway heritage as part of the national Railway 200 celebrations.
Ely Cathedral is delighted to announce the return of peregrine falcons to its historic West Tower, marking another exciting chapter in the life of one of the region’s most iconic landmarks.
As generations of fine-limbed thoroughbreds pranced on and off the trains at Newmarket’s original railway station, almost unnoticed, their working class cousins were shifting around the waggons which carried them to racecourses all over the country.
The Ipswich to Cambridge rail line, which includes 11 stations including Newmarket, is to be promoted as St.
Spring has finally arrived, and Easter is looking to be packed with egg-citing adventures for families looking to make magical memories.
Whether your car is temporarily off the road, you are planning a weekend escape, or you simply need flexible access to a second vehicle, Plug in Suffolk Car Clubs are aiming to transform the way residents think about travel.
The tourism body Discover Newmarket is launching a new initiative with Newmarket Racecourses, extending a warm welcome to the first 100 new residents to move into the town this spring by offering an all-access, behind the scenes tour of the town’s historic racing landmarks.
As we celebrate International Women’s Day (8th March 2025), we’re taking the opportunity to look back at a definitive time in history when Ellen Chaloner, a trailblazing trainer became the first woman to be given a permit to train horses by the Jockey Club in 1886.
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