Newmarket is a market town, situated in West Suffolk, with a rich history mixed with modern day entertainment. There are a lot of things to do in Newmarket. 

It is considered the birthplace and global centre of thoroughbred horse racing. It has over fifty horse training stables, two large racetracks, the Rowley Mile and the July Course, and one of the most extensive and prestigious horse training grounds in the world, Newmarket Training Ground. The town is home to over 3,500 racehorses, and it is estimated that one in every three local jobs is related to horse racing.

Whether you are a fan of horse racing or not, there are many things to do in Newmarket and, within this article, we will be talking you through some of things to do in this beautiful market town.

Newmarket’s Horse Racing Legacy

Seeing at Newmarket is seen as the birthplace of thoroughbred horse racing, one of the first things to do in Newmarket is visit the iconic Newmarket racecourses. The two courses at Newmarket are the Rowley Mile and the July course. They are just a short drive apart from each other so it is easy to visit both. If you are wanting to watch racing, you will need to head to the website in order to see what is on and to buy tickets. After many of the races they have music on so you can really make a day and night of your time at the races.

If you are more into history than actually watching the racing, the National Horseracing Museum may be more up your street. It sits across a 5 acre site and has a variety of attractions on offer. With the Trainer’s House and King’s Yard, you will find the National Horseracing Museum, in which you will learn the history of horseracing, from its earliest origins to the worldwide phenomenon it is today. At Palace House, you will be able to visit Packard Galleries of British Sporting Art. And you will even have a chance to meet former racehorses in the flagship home of Retraining of Racehorses. The museum is open Tuesday to Sunday, with the opening hours slightly changing depending on the season so do check out the website before your visit. 

Historical Attractions in Newmarket

Newmarket is a town with a great deal of history. And, in fact, The buildings which house the National Horseracing Museum have a great deal of history themselves. Palace House, which houses the art gallery, has building origins that date back to 1666 and King Charles II. 

Then there is Ely Cathedral which has welcomed people for 1300 years.  It is the third longest mediaeval cathedral in England, at 161m. Its graceful Norman nave is among the longest in England and has a remarkable 19th century painted ceiling.

Outdoor Adventures and Natural Beauty

If you love the outdoors and find enjoyment in nature then you will find many things to do in Newmarket. 

Newmarket Heath is 690 acre biological Site of Special Scientific Interest and it covers most of Newmarket Racecourse. It is mainly chalk grassland, and it has areas of chalk heath, a rare habitat in Britain. There is a rich variety of flowering plants, including a nationally rare species and five nationally uncommon ones. There are many walks you can go on on Newmarket Heath, allowing you to enjoy all the rare and wonderful nature. 

The Severals Sports Pavilion is a great place to go if you are local to Newmarket as it hosts many sporting activities and community events.

Culinary Delights and Shopping Experiences

For any shopping lovers out there, there are many things to do in Newmarket. The Guineas Shopping Centre has many high street shops within it, making it a great shopping spot for visitors and locals alike. It also has many cafes and restaurants within it, so you can grab a delicious lunch whilst out shopping.

There are a variety of places to eat in Newmarket. If you are after some good pub grub, The Greyhound and Twenty One would be an excellent choice. If you are after something with a little extra spice, Rose & Mango will be perfect.

Arts, Culture & Entertainment

Newmarket Kings Theatre should be top of your list of things to do in Newmarket if you love watching shows or even taking part yourself as they have regular open mic nights. 

The Nomads theatre company is also a part of the theatre. Nomads is an amateur dramatic and musical society born out of 2 separate societies that formed in the 1930’s. These societies merged in 1946 and the resulting society was officially renamed ‘Nomads’ in 1948. Nomads owns and performs at the Kings Theatre in Newmarket. 

Relaxation & Wellness

If you enjoy a nice relaxing massage, there are many places you can visit in Newmarket. 

There is The Spa at the Bedford Lodge Hotel. The spa is open to hotel guests, day guests and those just wanting a single treatment. You will find many different relaxing treatments available, such as massage, facials and pedicures. It also has a hydrotherapy pool, steam room and an outdoor hot tub. 

There is also Newmarket Thai Spa, where you can get amazing Thai massages and treatment. A place where you can leave all your worries at the door. 

Discover Newmarket: Top Things to Do in Newmarket

There are so many wonderful things to do in Newmarket. No matter what you are into, you will find something fun to do within Newmarket. Known around the world as the place to come and watch horse racing, you can, of course, do that but there is also a rich history to delve into and many beautiful outdoor places to explore. 

And once you’ve done exploring, there are many places to go and eat and you can even treat yourself to a massage. 

Newmarket is definitely a place that needs to be visited and explored. We hope we have inspired you to do just that. 

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