Heath Court Hotel enjoys a very convenient location close to the town centre and overlooks the…
Our View
This award-winning museum is packed with artifacts, paintings and photographs that tell the story of the people and horses involved in racing in Britain. Look out for the colourful racing silks worn by some of the world’s greatest jockeys, including Frankie Dettori when he won every race on a seven-race card in one afternoon, and Francis Buckle (1766–1832), one of the first ever leading jockeys. You can see a valuable bronze statue of Kincsem, a thoroughbred who won all of her 54 races between 1876 and 1879, and the revolver Fred Archer (1857–86) used to shoot himself. Archer, perhaps the greatest jockey of all time who was 13-times champion jockey, was just 29. There’s a hands-on gallery too, where you can have a go at riding on the horse simulator – horseracing is not as easy as it looks – and try on racing silks. You can also chat to the retired jockeys and trainers who work in the museum and are always happy to recite stories and tell of their experiences. The museum organizes mini bus tours to visit the gallops, a stable at dawn and Tattersalls the auctioneers.
Facilities – at a glance
Refreshments
Suitable for all child ages
Fully accessible
Features
- Suitable for children of all ages
- Parking nearby
- Cafe
- Fully accessible
- Facilities: Ramps & lift
- Accessible toilets
- Opening Times: Open Mar-23 Dec, Mon-Sat 10-5, Sun 10-4
Also in the area
About the area
Discover Suffolk
Suffolk is Constable country, where the county’s crumbling, time-ravaged coastline spreads itself under wide skies to convey a wonderful sense of remoteness and solitude. Highly evocative and atmospheric, this is where rivers wind lazily to the sea and notorious 18th-century smugglers hid from the excise men. John Constable immortalised these expansive flatlands in his paintings in the 18th century, and his artwork raises the region’s profile to this day.
Walking is one of Suffolk’s most popular recreational activities. It may be flat but the county has much to discover on foot – not least the isolated Heritage Coast, which can be accessed via the Suffolk Coast Path. Southwold, with its distinctive, white-walled lighthouse standing sentinel above the town and its colourful beach huts and attractive pier features on many a promotional brochure. Much of Suffolk’s coastal heathland is protected as a designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and shelters several rare creatures including the adder, the heath butterfly and the nightjar. In addition to walking, there is a good choice of cycling routes but for something less demanding, visit some of Suffolk’s charming old towns, with streets of handsome, period buildings and picturesque, timber-framed houses.
Nearby stays
Places to Stay
Dining nearby
Restaurants and Pubs
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