Newmarket Summer Saturday Family Race Days!

Newmarket Summer Saturday Family Race Days!

Last year we discovered that Newmarket racecourse, though on the face of it just for adults, actually has a lot on offer for families! We absolutely loved the family race day as part of their Summer Saturdays programme that we attended and this year went back for more of the same with their Schools Out for Summer race day to celebrate breaking up for the holidays!

As with lots of their family days during the summer there was far more than just the racing on offer (though we took part in that of course) and the best bit is that children are absolutely FREE to get in!

We took a picnic (I was going to make a really special one then decided to buy special bits instead) and our mat and basically just sat watching the races (and betting little amounts) while the kiddos played in the fun zones not needing any pennies to take part in a thing – which is a mega bonus! It rained… But it was warm and I can cope with that!

I think the children enjoyed the picnic more because I HADN’T made it if I’m honest!

I’d planned on picnic loaves stuffed with roasted veggies and cheeses but the heat of the previous days told me to give in and buy the lot! I’m so glad I did and actually, I was glad of the weather. We needed a greyer day and less warmth but it didn’t detract from the fun!

They got to craft, have a go at horseplay jumping, met Chase from Paw Patrol, and Pup-Pup Boogie and generally ran wild and free in the very safe space which also has AMAZING play equipment. They loved it all especially the racing where we had extremely small bets just for fun but which gave much excitement as we whooped our horses over the finish line!

This was our first introduction to Paw Patrol – I’m not sure what Raffie thought but he didn’t run a mile at his first meeting with a giant character so that’s a plus!

The bouncy castle was there all day and the kiddos could just queue up for five minutes and go on it as much as they liked all day without it costing a thing!

They also just LOVED being free to enjoy the play ground!

The whole of our gang of kiddos at Newmarket Races!

I’m always really surprised by the things in Newmarket be it when we visited Palace House and had a tour of the stud to taking part in these extremely family friendly race days because I just don’t think my brain necessarily merges horse racing and family fun. Actually however and it really is with the museum at Palace House and the tour of the stud being totally geared up for children with hands on activities and interesting things to do like riding a race horse simulator – Jimmy actually wants to be a jockey after our visit earlier this year!

And so because of his new found love of horse racing after enjoying the museum he absolutely adored being at the actual races to watch his horse come over it – even when it didn’t win! The only thing I will say is that when your ticket is for the garden enclosure you can’t see the finish line which does make it a little less exciting. Last year we had access to the grand paddock and we found that super exciting. You do have to upgrade your ticket for that experience though and for the main fun from the children’s point of view, which was playing based, they didn’t need the upgrade to the adult tickets and I’m not sure if I would want to pay the extra to get to the finish line or not. I’m undecided… Jury’s out.

We couldn’t see the finish line but we still enjoyed watching the horses race!

I don’t think anyone will be batting down my door for action shots photography work!

It’s a bit of fun, it’s a tremendous laugh, it’s extremely easy on the pocket and the kids were entertained all day. Not sure that you could ask for much more than that now could you!