The National Horseracing Museum in Newmarket is celebrating the festive season with ‘Christmas at the Museum 2024’, a horse-driven carriage tour of the museum on Saturday 14 December.
Attendees will enjoy a ride around the five-acre grounds of the museum in Santa’s carriage which is pulled by two festively dressed Suffolk Punches.
As well as the carriage tour, there will be a craft corner, festive games such as landing a hoop on Rudolph’s antlers, or ‘Whack a Christmas pudding’ and the chance to meet resident miniature Shetland ponies, Kizzy and Harry, who will be celebrating their first Christmas at the museum this year.
There is also a raffle to win a LeMieux Pony, complete with saddle and reins, and the opportunity to enjoy a glass of mulled wine and a mince pie or two in the pop-up festive café.
Carol singing will take place in the courtyard of the Rothschild Yard. Four galleries in the yard explain the work of the Retraining of Racehorses charity, who helped to refurbish the yard and allowed it to be home to several re-trained racehorses.
The tour, which is running for the second straight year, will operate from 10am – 4pm.
History
The National Horseracing Museum, which is located in King Charles II’s former palace and stable yards, thought to be the site of the oldest racing stables in the UK, celebrates the development of Thoroughbred horseracing and breeding in Great Britain.
There are numerous galleries and exhibitions telling the story of horseracing from its beginning in the Trainer’s House and King’s Yard Galleries while the palace hosts the Fred Packard Museum and Galleries of British Sporting Art.
Tickets for ‘Christmas at the Museum 2024’ cost £6 for adults and £4 for children. Under 5s receive free admission. The ticket price includes access to all outside areas of the museum and a ride on Santa’s horse and carriage.
Tickets are available to purchase in advance online here or on the day on arrival at the museum.
