By Paul Nicholls
Over the years I’ve stayed in many places, some accommodate my wheelchair, others not so much – with steps, steep hills and bath suites all being obstacles to enjoying a break away. So I’ve become an expert in researching the best accessible places to stay in the UK – from the Scottish Highlands right down to Cornwall. What strikes me about Newmarket is that by making this destination accessible to horses, it also makes it accessible for me. Whether it’s a flat and clear pathway along the high street or a museum with elevators, wide doors and plenty of space – Newmarket has it. I visited recently and took along my power chair and manual chair. We booked the Race Day Tour tour with Larry through Discover Newmarket which has one space on the tour bus for a wheelchair. This didn’t disappoint – the lift for my chair was super speedy and there was no waiting around to roll on and off. Larry is an ex jockey and boasts insider knowledge on all the stops we go to – The National Museum of the Stud, the Newmarket Races and a glimpse of the morning rides over the heath as dawn breaks. Larry looked after me, too, pushing my chair and always getting me in the bus in good time ready for our next stop (the bacon bap for brunch was delish!). Another highlight for me in Newmarket was watching my partner ride a ‘horse simulator’ at the National Horseracing Museum– even though it wasn’t very fast she cackled away and almost fell off! I also enjoyed seeing the foals at the National Museum of the Stud, too. Who’d have thought the top racing studs can fetch up to £375,000 a successful pregnancy? With three sessions daily that’s a horse on a million quid a day, and these horses have air conditioned stables too! In all it was refreshing to have my wheelchair catered for so well in Newmarket, so I could sit back and enjoy the tour, good food and a break without having to worry about access.
- Discover Newmarket (www.discovernewmarket.co.uk, 01638 501122) offers various expert-led, behind the scenes tours for groups and individuals ranging from £15 to £210pp. Paul sampled a Race Day Tour which costs £110pp. National Horseracing Museum – https://www.nhrm.co.uk/
