Entertainment in Newmarket

Commonly referred to as the ‘headquarters of British horse racing’, Newmarket Racecourse has two separate racecourses, the highest density of trainers yards in the country and hosts two of the UK’s five classic races. It has, in short, a colt following (sorry) and is less than a mile – or around eight furlongs – from our Newmarket hotel.

The races have changed a little since 1622 and the first recorded race. The season runs from April to November, with the big events and races taking place during the peak season from June to August. As you’d expect from one of the leading racetracks in the UK, the modern grandstand is packed with bars, pubs, restaurants, private boxes and viewing platforms, with a wide range of hospitality programmes perfect for your day or night out.

There’s plenty of action away from the racing, with family fairs and country shows. Newmarket Racecourse is also a popular destination for live music thanks to Newmarket nights, with big pop names like Rudimental, Pete Tong’s Ibiza Classics and Michael Jackson musical Thriller as recent headliners.

Another way to experience the excitement of the horse racing world is at Tattersalls auction, the leading marketplace for racehorses in the UK. The open-auction house sells over 10,000 horses a year including plenty that have broken the million-pound barrier. Want to know what makes a horse worth millions and excellent equine bloodlines? Neigh problems: There are plenty of tours available that go behind the scenes, including the adrenaline-fuelled bidding process.

Newmarket’s Kings Theatre is the leading events and cultural space in town. The 123-capacity theatre hosts a diverse range of events spanning musicals, drama, family shows, comedy and more, with around a dozen shows a year. The community-run theatre just off High Street has a bar and coffee lounge for pre-show drinks.