Things to do
Some owners may like to stay in the vicinity whilst their pet is being treated in the clinic. Here are just a few suggestions for the more interesting sites to visit, a range of accommodation options and places to eat.
Newmarket is a small Suffolk market town six miles from the centre (hence the village name, Six Mile Bottom) with some good shopping in the High Street but perhaps more importantly it is known as the headquarters of horse racing in the UK.
• Races
Some of the best flat racing in the world takes place here between April to October on ‘The Rowley Mile’ and ‘July’ courses. There are evening meetings with entertainment during the summer months.
web: www.newmarketracecourses.co.uk
• National Stud
The National Stud is the showcase for British Thoroughbred breeding. It comprises over 500 acres of prime pastureland on the edge of Newmarket with accommodation for eight stallions and up to 200 mares in nine separate yards. Tours of the Stud take place daily from Wednesday 1st March to Saturday 30th September inclusive and on Newmarket race days in October.
web: www.nationalstud.co.uk
• National Horseracing Museum
Situated in the town itself, it deals with the story of the people and horses involved in racing from its Royal origins to Lester Piggott, Frankie Dettori and other modern heroes. Daily tours of racing stables.
web: www.nhrm.co.uk
Cambridge
The City of Cambridge is perhaps the most beautiful city in the east of England, amid the rural countryside. The residents, students of the University and visitors have the best of both worlds: the combination of the romantic medieval image and an up to date city. Cambridge is beautiful, not overly big and with all the amenities of a University City. Its unique setting on the banks of the River Cam, the "backs" and the magnificent architecture of the University buildings all combine to make Cambridge a fascinating visit.
NB: Traffic and parking is dreadful - use the Park & Ride if you can!
web: www.aboutbritain.com/towns/cambridge.asp
Duxford
• Imperial War Museum
Duxford is Europe's premier aviation museum - as well as having one of the finest collections of tanks, military vehicles and naval exhibits in the country. This famous heritage site began as an airfield in the First World War and also played a vital role in the Second World War, firstly as an RAF fighter station and later as an American fighter base. An excellent trip!
web: duxford.iwm.org.uk
Saffron Walden
Saffron Walden is a pleasant Essex country market town with some lovely old buildings and good shops. The picturesque medieval town is situated in the heart of some of the finest rolling countryside of Essex - the name Walden meaning "valley of Britons". Saffron Walden was designated a Conservation Area in 1968 and there are some 400 buildings in the town of special architectural or historic interest; much care has been taken to conserve the historic character of the town centre which has retained the original medieval layout.
Web: www.saffronshops.com
Six Mile Bottom
• Simulated shoot days
Six Mile Bottom Shoot offer a simulated shoot day over local estates. With six shooting and six loading the shoot can fire 4,000 clays over a group of guns in 5 drives, making it testing and exciting for any individual interested in quality shooting.
Web: www.sixmilebottomshoot.co.uk
National Trust / English Heritage Properties
• Anglesey Abbey
A Jacobean-style country house with collection of treasures, set in fine formal and informal gardens that features Lord Fairhaven's fascinating collection of collections, rare works of art, sumptuous furnishings and spectacular statuary, 98 acres of landscaped and wildlife gardens, stunning snowdrop woods and winter walk, working 18th-century water mill.
web: www.angleseyabbey.org
• Audley End
Audley End is largely an early 17th century country mansion, which was once a palace in all but name. Formerly the site of a Benedictine monastery (Walden Abbey), granted to Sir Thomas Audley in 1538 by Henry VIII, which was converted to a domestic house for him, known as Audley Inn.
Web: www.english-heritage.org.uk
• Wicken Sedge Fen
Wicken Fen is Britain's oldest Nature Reserve. It is one of very few remaining un-drained parts of the Great Fen of East Anglia - because it was never drained or ploughed, the Sedge Fen is a refuge for many species of animal and plant which were once much more abundant. Wicken Fen is designated as a Site of Special Scientific Interest.
web: www.ecoln.com/wicken_fen
• Wimpole Hall & Farm
A magnificent 18th-century house that is Cambridgeshire's largest and grandest Georgian mansion set in a fine wooded park complete with folly, Chinese bridge and lake. There are a variety of walks through the Repton and 'Capability' Brown grounds. Features a working farm with rare breeds and a walled vegetable garden; lots of events.
web: www.wimpole.org
