Newmarket is a market town in Suffolk known mainly for its association with horse racing.
Around the town are many historic sites including Icknield Way and the Devils Dyke both of these link the town to Anglo Saxon times. Devils Dyke is the largest defensive earthwork in the country and is now an Ancient Monument.
Horse racing has taken place in Newmarket since 1174 making it the earliest known racing venue. King James I, in the 17th century increased the popularity of racing and King Charles inaugurated the first cup race in 1634; he also had a palace built in town so he could be nearer his favourite sport.
Nowadays the town houses the Jockey Clubs clubhouse, The National Stud, Tattersalls (the racing auctioneers) the National Horse Racing Museum and an Equine Centre of horse health.
The town has special horse routes so the racehorses can reach the gallops in safety from the many training yards around. Most of the racing stables are in town; the areas out of town are used for stud farms. There are around seventy licensed trainers and sixty stud farms in Newmarket.
The town is home to two racecourses, the Rowley Mile and the July Course these are separated by the Devils Dyke
The area that surrounds the heath is chalk downland and is home to may birds and animals. It is also full of history as this is where 6th century remains have been found and forms part of the Newmarket Ridge.
Newmarket is also home to the largest pine forest in Britain.
Newmarket Station is on the Cambridge/Bury St. Edmunds/Ipswich rail line.
A day in Newmarket could take in shopping, racing, watching mares and foals, visit a training yard, eat award-winning sausages in a nice restaurant and generally take in Newmarket as a whole with all its history.
The award-winning sausages have been secret recipes since the Victorian times and sold by butcher in the town. One local firm used to supply sausages weekly to the Royal Household.
Newmarket is the capital of nightclubbing in East Anglia and attracts many from the town, stable yards and surrounding areas. It is also home to many public houses and restaurants.
Property is readily available for rent in Newmarket with average costs of £830pcm for a l bed flat, £920pcm for a 2 bed flat, £670pcm for a 2 bed house and £980pcm for a 3 bed house.
Shopping is very good in Newmarket with many well-known High Street stores in the shopping centre and smaller independent shops are in the many lanes through town. Market days are Tuesday and Saturday with a Collectibles market in the Memorial Hall on Tuesdays. The town also has seasonal sales and those for art and craft work at several venues in town.
Some of the historical places to visit in town include Palace House a Grade II listed building built by Charles II in the 17th century. The building remained in the Royal Family until Queen Victoria sold it in the early 1900’s.
A two year restoration programme started on the house in 1996 and several original doorways were found and then under a floor was found a window, complete with glass and its sash and counter balance mechanism. It was one of the first of its type dating back to 1671.
Today the Tourist Information Centre occupies the ground floor and the upper storeys are used as a conference centre and wedding venue.
Both Boyce House and Sackville House are lovely 18th century houses. Terrace House was named to Commemorate Lord Lonsdale, famous in the world of boxing, and in the High street, Portland house. These houses are all worth a visit.
A dress shop with semi-circular windows, on Rutland Hill was once housed the Fisher Theatre back in 1826 and was built over a cock pit. It was then to become a Public Hall and in 1907 it was a cinema. The Prime Minister of 1894-1895, Lord Rosebery, owned Primrose House and this too is in the town.
York Buildings in the High Street has been home to drapers and outfitters since 1850.
For those who wish to be out and about, Newmarket it the place to be, the countryside allows for rambling, cycling and horse riding. There are many sports clubs in town including those for, hockey, triathlon, rugby, football, cricket, tennis, gymnastics, volleyball and facilities are available for bowls, swimming and snooker.
Newmarket is beautifully kept with teams tending the many floral displays that create a wealth of colour throughout the town especially in the summer.
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