The Racecourse, Northampton
| The Racecourse | |
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| Racecourse, Racecourse Park | |
A Royal Air Force parachutist at the 16th Annual Balloon Festival
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| Type | Open space park |
| Location | Northampton |
| Coordinates | 52°14′56″N 0°53′29″W / 52.24889°N 0.89139°WCoordinates: 52°14′56″N 0°53′29″W / 52.24889°N 0.89139°W |
| Area | 118 acres (48 ha) |
| Created | 1632 |
The Racecourse (also known as Racecourse or Racecourse Park) is an open space park situated in the centre of Northampton. The park is surrounded by the Mounts, Kingsley and Semilong estates. Due to the historical links of the Racecourse to Northampton's history, it remains one of the town's famous landmarks. As implied by its name, the Racecourse once staged regular horse racing meetings, however, these ceased in 1904 due to a high number of accidents, which included fatalities, caused by the sharpness of the track.
Located about 500 metres to the north of Northampton town centre, The Racecourse comprises around 118 acres parkland and includes public footpaths, changing rooms and open space. Access to the Racecourse from main roads includes via the Barrack Road (A508), Kingsley Road (A5095) and East Park Parade / Kettering Road (A5123). It can also be accessed from St George's Avenue (north-west), Colwyn Road, Beaconsfield Terrace and Leicester Street via the Mounts Estate.
From 1632, unofficial race meetings were held at Northampton Heath, the name originally given to the area including the Racecourse because of its location between the Kettering Road (A5123) and the Market Harborough Road (A508). Races continued here until 1681, when they were stopped due to the number of accidents.
The park is believed to have been used from 1778 to 1882 as an area where freemen had grazing rights under the 1778 Act of Enclosure. Between these dates the Racecourse was known simply as the Freeman's Common. In 1882 when Commoners lost their right to graze cattle, the land was sold on by the Northampton Corporation Act. The park was then used by the public as a general recreation ground.
Race meetings resumed in 1727, with the help of Lord Spencer, and in 1737 the first official race meet was held on the new course. The races were well-attended and frequently visited by royalty, including the Prince of Wales, later Edward VII. In 1844 new stands were erected on the site at a cost of more than £2000.
The racecourse was left-handed (anti-clockwise) around the park and a hotel was erected on the north-eastern corner of the park, now on the corner of Kingsley Road and Kingsley Park Terrace. The hotel known then as the Kingsley Park Hotel was built in 1889. It served as a residential club for ardent racegoers but was closed in 1904 following a fatal accident involving spectators. The Jockey Club left it empty for eighteen years, during which time local residents started to refer to it as "The White Elephant" - an epithet still used today. Gypsies camped along what was then known as Gypsy Lane (now Kingsley Road) where downhill towards Kingsthorpe "The Romany" pub is situated.
From 1715 to 1818, the park was frequently used for public executions. The Racecourse has been the scene of hundreds (evidence for this ?) of hangings. Condemned convicts were taken by cart to the gallows on the Racecourse. These marches were said to be intimidating and unruly, with huge crowds in attendance.
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Wikipedia