Quietly and without any great fanfare, what could soon become one of East Anglia’s leading tourist attractions opened to the public in Newmarket today.
The new National Heritage Centre for Horseracing and Sporting Art has cost in the region of £15million and it officially opened with a “soft launch” – and visitors labelled it a huge success.
“It’s like an oasis of calm in its setting,” said Teresa Colman, who was in the outside seating area of the new Tack Room restaurant. Teresa and husband David live in north London but were helping their daughter – who has just moved in round the corner from the museum.
“We’re new to Newmarket but it’s exactly what we would expect to find somewhere in Newmarket. This is ideally what you’re looking for,” said David.
“It’s brilliant they retain all this and kept the integrity of horse racing in the town,” added Teresa, who said it was “absolutely charming”.
“It sends out such a good vibe for the town.”
Ten years’ planning have gone into the new centre, which organisers claim is the biggest new attraction to open in Suffolk in the past decade.
The National Heritage Centre is situated in the remains of King Charles II’s sporting palace and stables, and spans five acres in the heart of Newmarket.
It comprises three attractions; the new National Horseracing Museum, a National Art Gallery of British Sporting Art, and a chance to meet former racehorses.
Forest Heath District Council estimates the new leading tourism destination could bring an extra 50-60,000 visitors to Newmarket each year, adding £2million to the local economy.
The museum is being opened gradually piece by piece until the grand unveiling in November – when a royal visit is anticipated.
The heritage centre is now home to the Retraining of Racehorses charity, which will have several former racehorses on show every day for people to meet and learn about their stories.
Today families got to meet 18-year-old Old Vic, a former chaser.
Helping look after him was Jon Snaith, who said it was “exciting” to see the new centre up and running after moving from the former National Horseracing Museum site on the high street.
“I’ve been at the museum eight-and-a-half years,” he said. “It’s just an amazing transformation of the whole place. It’s got a heart now and it’s beating.”
Visitors to Newmarket’s open weekend on Saturday and Sunday had a sneak peek at some of the new centre.
“There was so much wonderful feedback from the open weekend,” Jon said.
The Heritage Lottery Fund, Forest Heath District Council, Suffolk County Council, the racing industry as well as many private trusts, foundations and individuals from the world of horse racing and beyond have all contributed to the centre.
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