Newmarket - Not Just Horse Racing

Located in England's Suffolk County and straddling the border between Cambridgeshire and Suffolk, the historic market town of Newmarket is approximately 65 miles north of the country's capital city, London. Newmarket is generally considered as being the birthplace as well as global hub of horse racing. The town is virtually an enclave, being connected to the rest of Suffolk County only by a narrow strip of land. It is fairly easily accessed however, since the Newmarket railway station lies on the Cambridge to Ipswich rail line (via Bury St Edmunds). Regular commuter train services run to and from King's Cross Station and Liverpool Street in London to Cambridge. The town is approximately 12 miles from neighbouring Cambridge. By road, the town can be reached via the A11 and A14 from the main cities in East Anglia and via the M11 and A1 / M1.

Newmarket is most famously associated with horse racing and is home to the largest racehorse training centre in the country, as well as to most of the top thoroughbred horse racing institutions. The town draws many horse racing followers and tourists to its two race tracks, the July Course and the Rowley Mile, both sited on Newmarket Heath. The Heath is also comprised of close to 3,000 acres of training grounds, which includes just under 60 miles of turf canters and gallops. Newmarket's horse racing history has been dated as far back as the year 1174, which makes the town the earliest known horse racing site in the post-classical era.

Whilst horse racing, breeding and other equestrian activities are an integral part of Newmarket and its identity, the town has much more to offer. There is historically rich architecture and listed buildings such as the Palace House, which was owned by the Royal Family between the late 17th century and 1855, 18th century houses along Sackville Street and the Victorian-era York buildings along the High Street. There is also a range of shopping options, particularly along the High Street. This High Street runs along the length of Newmarket and features smaller pedestrianised side lanes with a wide range of shops, from big international brand name stores to smaller independent local stores which have been around for generations. There is also a traditional market in the town twice weekly and a collectibles market every week in the Memorial Hall.

There are varied facilities in Newmarket for recreational activities, including a leisure centre, swimming pools and bowling clubs. Newmarket also has a fairly wide variety of eateries and hotels. The prime location of the town in the English countryside means that there is no lack of outdoor activities to partake in, including trekking, running, horse riding and cycling.

In addition, the town boasts several historic attractions such as the Icknield Way and the well-known Devil's Dyke, which separate the town's two race courses. This ancient monument, which starts in the neighbouring town of Wood Ditton, represents the country's biggest defensive earthwork and covers a distance of 8 miles. The other historic site of note Icknield Way was used by ancient travellers to cross the town's Heath. Newmarket is also surrounded by many villages and picturesque countryside that can be easily and conveniently explored using the town as a starting point.