Theme Week East Anglia – Newmarket

29 May 2015 | Author/Destination: | Rubric: General Reading Time:  7 minutes

Clock-tower to commemorate the Golden Jubilee of Queen Victoria © geograph.org.uk - Robert Edwards/cc-by-sa-2.0

Clock-tower to commemorate the Golden Jubilee of Queen Victoria © geograph.org.uk – Robert Edwards/cc-by-sa-2.0

Newmarket is a market town in the county of Suffolk, approximately 65 miles (105 kilometres) north of London. It is generally considered the birthplace and global centre of thoroughbred horse racing. It is a major local business cluster, with annual investment rivalling that of the Cambridge Science Park, the other major cluster in the region. It is the largest racehorse training centre in Britain, the largest racehorse breeding centre in the country, and home to most major British horseracing institutions, and a key global centre for horse health. Two Classic races, and an additional three British Champions Series races are held at Newmarket every year. Racing at Newmarket has been dated as far back as 1174, making it the earliest known racing venue of post-classical times. King James I (reigned 1603–1625) greatly increased the popularity of horse racing there, and King Charles I followed this by inaugurating the first cup race in 1634. The Jockey Club‘s clubhouse is in Newmarket, though its administration is based in London.   read more…

Theme Week East Anglia – Bury St Edmunds

26 May 2015 | Author/Destination: | Rubric: General Reading Time:  7 minutes

Abbey Gardens and Cathedral © geograph.org.uk - Robert Edwards/cc-by-sa-2.0

Abbey Gardens and Cathedral © geograph.org.uk – Robert Edwards/cc-by-sa-2.0

Bury St Edmunds is a market town in the county of Suffolk, and formerly the county town of West Suffolk. It is the main town in the borough of St Edmundsbury and known for the ruined abbey near the town centre. Bury is the seat of the Diocese of St Edmundsbury and Ipswich, with the episcopal see at St Edmundsbury Cathedral.   read more…

Theme Week East Anglia

25 May 2015 | Author/Destination: | Rubric: General, Bon voyage, Theme Weeks Reading Time:  8 minutes

Burghley House in Peterborough © flickr.com - Anthony Masi/cc-by-2.0

Burghley House in Peterborough © flickr.com – Anthony Masi/cc-by-2.0

East Anglia is one of three constituent parts of the East of England – a first level region. The name has also been applied to the ancient Anglo-Saxon kingdom of the East Angles. The region’s name is derived from the Angles – a tribe that originated in Angeln, northern Germany. The region comprises four areas of local government: the administrative counties of Norfolk, Suffolk, northern Essex and Cambridgeshire, the unitary authority area of the city of Peterborough.   read more…

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