The Jockey Club Rooms, Newmarket, Suffolk

Newmarket is where organised horseracing began, and this market town is unique in terms of the 35 miles of horse walks weaving through it. You can watch the races, see the greatest jockeys exercise their horses on Warren Hill training gallops, and feel the buzz at Tattersalls, the auctioneer where racehorses are still priced in guineas. When it's time for a brew, pop to Nancy's vintage teashop to try their own blended teas, perfect with a slice of Newmarket cake - a moist chocolate and coffee treat.

By car: around 30 minutes from Cambridge and 2 hours from London and Birmingham or Sheffield. There is free parking on-site.

By train: trains from St Pancras international to Newmarket take around 1 hour 30 minutes, with a change at Cambridge. The Jockey Club rooms are a short walk or taxi ride from Newmarket station. Book trains to Newmarket.

There is no getting away from the equine theme, with horse racing paintings and memorabilia (both antique and modern day) in nearly every nook and cranny. Expect quirky objets d'art such as antique voting boxes and horse hoof trophies, delicate chandeliers, intricate gilt-framed mirrors, imposing Georgian fireplaces and a beautiful walled garden featuring a lifelike horse sculpture.

All the staff members were friendly yet professional, although due to limited amenities for guests (rooms and breakfast) there isn't as much interaction with the staff as in other hotels, though every exchange was delightful. Staff were clearly proud to be working in such a fine establishment

• Garden
• Terrace
• Free parking
• Free Wi-Fi

The rooms, like the rest of the club, have a countryside chic-meets-stately home ambience. Feel cossetted in rich patterned wallpapers, classic reproduction and antique furniture, plushly upholstered headboards, old-school desks, heavy-weight glamourous curtains and comfortable large beds with luxurious bed linen.

Room types: Club Single, Club Double, Deluxe Double, Kings Suite

Key amenities: ensuite bathroom with Asprey toiletries, bathrobe and slippers, hairdryer, TV, desk, free Wi-Fi

Unless you've booked for the once-a-month Sunday roast open for non-members, the only current option to dine if you're a guest is breakfast. Breakfast consists of a range of juices, fresh and dried fruit, pastries, yoghurt, cereals, toast and cooked breakfast options including scrambled eggs and salmon, kippers, smoked haddock, pancakes, omelettes, eggs benedict and royal.