Monument record 2859/1/0 - Stamford Racecourse

{1} Stamford racecourse (TF 02060378–03540410) lies W. of the village and extends across the county boundary into Wothorpe parish in the Soke of Peterborough.

Racing was being organized in the area in the early 17th century, but the present course was established in 1717 and continued in use until 1873. The earliest course was an oval one confined within a rectangular area of land which extended across the parish boundary with Wothorpe, but after the enclosure of Easton-on-the-Hill in 1820 it extended W. To provide also a straight mile-course.

The remains consist of the later mile-course, now visible as a long narrow strip of land, almost exactly one mile (1.6 km.) long and 40 m.-70 m. Wide, bounded for the most part by modern hedges. No trace exists of the oval course although the boundaries of the area are still marked by modern hedges. Near the end of the mile-course, on its N. Side and just in Wothorpe parish (TF 03480413), are the remains of the grandstand built in 1766 at the winning-post.

<1> Royal Commission on The Historical Monuments of England, 1975, An Inventory of The Historical Monuments in The County of Northampton, p.38/Site 6 (checked) (Series). SNN77379.

<5> 1819, Enclosure Map, (unchecked) (Map). SNN7668.

Record last edited

Mar 27 2017 3:04PM