Former racecourse goes up for grabs with Savills

A former racecourse, with planning permission to convert its main grandstand into a four-bedroom home, is on the market with a guide price of £2.375m.

Now known as Steeple Chase Farm, Cottenham Racecourse on the outskirts of Cambridge held its first meeting in the 1830s – and hosted regular fixtures until its closure in 2020.

The 82-hectare property is being sold through Savills in Cambridge and is available as a whole or in up to four lots.

Last year South Cambridgeshire District Council approved plans to transform its main grandstand into a detached four-bedroom home.

Oliver Carr, associate director in the rural agency team at Savills in Cambridge, said: “Steeple Chase Farm has long been the setting for both national hunt and more recently point to point horse racing.

“In the 1880s the meetings proved so popular that special trains ran from London to nearby Waterbeach station – even prompting a visit from the then Prince of Wales (latterly Edward VII).

“The racecourse reverted to being managed as farmland in 1928, with informal, amateur point to point racing taking place three times a year – attracting up to 6,000 spectators at its peak in the 1950s.

“However, the meetings’ popularity decreased over time and, following the pandemic, the operation became financially unviable.

“Now primarily agricultural arable and grazing land, it is offered for sale following the retirement of the current longstanding owner and represents a unique opportunity to acquire a property with a rich sporting history.”

Designed by locally based NP Architects, the plans for the grandstand feature four ground-floor bedrooms, three en-suites and a bathroom, while the upstairs will have an open-plan kitchen and living room with a large patio looking out over the old racecourse.

The main structure of the building will be retained, as will doors and windows – repurposing as many racing artefacts as possible. The planning permission also allows for the former master’s hut to be demolished and replaced by a home office and garage with ancillary storage.

Planning consultant Nick Dakin, of Dakin Estates, said: “The quite unique home to be created will retain the appearance of the grandstand and will very much reflect its historic connections with horse racing and Cambridge University.”

Visit: https://search.savills.com/property-detail/gbcarucar240001

Contact Oliver Carr at Savills Cambridge on 01223 347 274 or OCarr@savills.com

Images:

Top: Aerial view by Chris Rawlings.

Above 1: The main stand in its 1950s heyday.

Above 2: The main stand today by Chris Rawlings.

Above 3: The main stand converted. Image: NP Architects

Below 1 & 2: By Chris Rawlings