Home to many of the past century's champions of the turf, The National Stud Tour will captivate the whole family, offering a fascinating snapshot of the thoroughbred breeding operation and the delightful sight of foals at play.

This year, visitors can see a new addition to the roster for 2022, the stallion Lope Y Fernandez, a Champion Sprinter and the only son of the leading sire Lope De Vega in the UK. Other top stallions, including Time Test and Aclaim, will be on view, too.

The Wavertree Coffee Shop will also reopen under the experienced team from Wavertree Hospitality. The coffee house has received a fresh new look and a new chef, Stuart Drake, who will create delicious offerings from breakfast to afternoon tea.
 
The National Stud – set in 500 acres of grounds at the edge of Newmarket, the home of horseracing – is the UK's only commercial thoroughbred stud open to the public. Founded by William Hall Walker in 1915 in response to a shortage of thoroughbred stallions for the cavalry and racing, The National Stud has bred multiple champions of the world's top horseracing events.
 
On the 90-minute behind-the-scenes tour, by foot and coach, adults and children can hear about the history of the stud and the work that goes into producing future champions. They'll also enjoy a close-up view of the mares with their newborn foals, as well as yearlings and stallions, in the paddocks.
 
The tour, which is only available to book through Discover Newmarket, the official tourism service for Newmarket and the surrounding area, runs on Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays and Bank Holiday Mondays at 10.30am until the end of October and costs £15 per person or £35 for a family ticket (two adults, two children). Private tours are available at other times for a supplementary £50 fee on top of standard ticket prices. Group tours can also be arranged.
 
The tour can be easily combined with a visit to the nearby National Horse Racing Museum (adults £15, under-16s free) for a rewarding full day's equine experience. The National Stud can also be visited as part of the half-day tour The Newmarket Experience (from £65 per person) and the full-day tour The Ultimate Newmarket Experience (from £95 per person).

Plus, there are plenty of hotels, B&Bs and self-catering options to suit all budgets for those wishing to create a short break. Go to https://discovernewmarket.co.uk/stay.

For info, images and press trips, contact Kate Simon on 07939 526109 or kate@traveltappers.co.uk.

Notes to editors: Discover Newmarket is the official tourism service for Newmarket and the surrounding area. It offers visitors a unique opportunity to go behind the scenes at racing's headquarters to see the equine stars at work and learn about the fascinating history, heritage and culture of this historic town. Tours for groups and individuals are led by expert guides and organised to suit the visitor as well as on set dates throughout the year.