Who doesn’t love a Bank Holiday Weekend? An extra day to take time out for yourself.

In Newmarket this weekend? Here’s what you can get up to.

Go Racing!

This weekend marks the last of the meetings on the July Course with a double-header of action coming your way on both Friday and Saturday afternoons.

We’ve had a glorious summer of fun at the July Course over the last few months and this promises to be the same with a Family Fun Day on Friday. This meeting ties in with the Summer Community Day with anyone with a CB postcode able to take advantage of specially priced tickets while Under 18s race free!

Saturday afternoon sees the running of the historic Newmarket Town Plate, a  race that has taken place since 1666. An interesting fact around this annual event is that King Charles II, who came up with the idea of the race, won the first running and is still the only monarch to win a race as a jockey!

Another fun fact is that the first four finishers will each receive a box of Powters Celebrated Newmarket Sausages. Sausage sandwich anyone?

After the day’s exciting racing, The Vamps will take the stage for the Summer Saturday Live concert, adding their name to an impressive list of performers to take the stage in Newmarket this summer. Get your tickets by clicking here.

Chill Out

If you have not yet been one of the lucky ones to have gone on holiday this summer perhaps then this Bank Holiday Weekend is a chance to chill out and recharge the batteries. The extra day to lie in never hurts does it?

If you’re looking for something to do after a busy two days of racing, then a picnic on the lawn at Bedford Lodge Hotel & Spa is just the treat! It may be cooling down slightly but this is still a great chance to relax in the fresh air while munching on some delicious goodies. For those who struggle to sit still why not take part in lawns games like croquet or giant Jenga.

Learn more about the Picnic on the Lawn, or make a booking, by clicking here

If the family are itching to get out then why not take a trip to the National Heritage Centre for Horseracing & Sporting Art at Palace House? Meet the horses currently stabled in the flagship yard of the Retraining of Racehorses charity and watch live demonstrations as these horses are given a new lease on life after their racing careers.

Do you have what it takes to be a jockey? Test yourself on the simulator and experience a taste of what it’s like to ride in a race. This weekend also sees the return of popular attraction, Pip and Plum the miniature donkeys. These friendly faces are always up for a bit of attention.

Or you could head on down to The National Stud to learn more about what life is like on a commercial stud farm. See the stallions as they enjoy some downtime ahead of the breeding season. Stop at the paddocks and there’s a chance that you could interact with mares and foals as they enjoy time out in the open.

To learn more about The National Stud tours, including ticketing information, you can click here.

Whatever you choose to do, have a great Bank Holiday Weekend!