Palace House
Part of the National Horseracing Museum at Newmarket
Situated in the centre of Newmarket, Palace House was built by Charles II in the seventeenth century. A keen racegoer, he frequently visited Newmarket and actually took part in informal races on the common.
Just across the road from Palace House, was the house of Nell Gwynne, one of his most well known mistresses. When Palace House was restored a few years ago, an original window within the King’s apartments was discovered facing directly onto her house.
Nowadays, Palace House forms part of the National Horseracing Museum and houses a collection of sporting art, particulary relating to racing.
There is a permanent collection owned by the British Sporting Art Trust which is always on display, as well as a changing programme of exhibitions.
Works of art include paintings by George Stubbs, Sir Alfred Munnings, John Singer Sargent, John Wooten, Peter Blake and Mark Wallinger.