£38.50 (Non JG member)
Overview
The National Heritage Centre is situated in the remains of Charles II’s sporting palace and stables, and spans five acres in the heart of Newmarket. It comprises three complementary attractions; the NEW National Horseracing Museum, a National Art Gallery of British Sporting Art, and a chance to meet former racehorses, in the flagship yard of Retraining of Racehorses. The Trainer’s House and King’s Yard Stables were used for training racehorses until the mid-1980s. These have undergone major renovation and redevelopment to become the new home of the National Horseracing Museum. The main body of the Museum is situated in the Trainer’s House. Moving into The Maktoum Gallery of the Thoroughbred you will discover what makes the racehorse such a supreme and unique equine athlete. ‘A National Passion’ is the gallery which traces the progressive domestic organisation of racing from the mid-eighteenth century to the global sport it is today. The finale of the Trainer’s House galleries is ‘Sporting Glory’ a theatrical presentation showcasing some memorable and inspiring winning moments with the individuals involved. Moving out into the King’s Yard is an opportunity to explore behind-the scenes of the horse racing world. Situated in the remaining element of Charles II’s racing palace is the Fred Packard Museum and Galleries of British Sporting Art – a new home for the British Sporting Art Trust. Paintings by George Stubbs and Sir Alfred Munnings rub shoulders with works from John Singer Sargent and John Wootton showcasing the finest British Sporting Art from around the UK. The Rothschild Yard, built by Leopold de Rothschild in 1903, has been returned to its former glory to stable retrained racehorses. Four galleries in the yard explain the work of the Retraining of Racehorses charity and visitors will be able to meet former racehorses. The Tack Room Restaurant – serves traditional British food with a twist using the very best that East Anglia and in particular Suffolk has to offer. The restaurant offers breakfast, lunch and afternoon tea in a relaxed and friendly environment with fantastic quality homemade food at great value for money. We arrive at about 11.30 and you can get coffee and lunch at the Restaurant or go into town if you prefer. Free re-admission all day. At 2.30 we meet the racehorses that live on site. Otherwise the day is yours to enjoy the various attractions on site.