For more than three centuries, racegoers have flocked to Great Yarmouth in their droves.

Eastern Daily Press: Leslie Crowther presenting whip to jockey - Joe Mercer at Great Yarmouth races pic taken 26th august 1970 m14715-36aLeslie Crowther presenting whip to jockey - Joe Mercer at Great Yarmouth races pic taken 26th august 1970 m14715-36a

The town's racing heritage is believed to date back to 1715, with the original racecourse near to the Nelson's Monument at South Denes.

With the development of the railways, and under mounting pressure from the town's growing fishing industry, the racecourse opened its current North Denes site in 1920.

The racecourse is one of only a few in England to feature a straight mile.

Racing at the venue has ended for the remainer of 2019, bringing the curtain down on 23 thrilling fixtures, with the first meeting of 2020 set for Tuesday, April 21.

Eastern Daily Press: Sport - Horse RacingGreat Yarmouth Racecourse.Photo finish at Yarmouth races. 'Good Courage' and 'Tattenham Fair' (owned by Mr. Albert Botton of Yarmouth Pleasure Beach) neck and neck. 'Good Courage' got the verdict.Dated July 1973Photograph C9903Sport - Horse RacingGreat Yarmouth Racecourse.Photo finish at Yarmouth races. 'Good Courage' and 'Tattenham Fair' (owned by Mr. Albert Botton of Yarmouth Pleasure Beach) neck and neck. 'Good Courage' got the verdict.Dated July 1973Photograph C9903

With further meetings scheduled monthly until the season finale in October, the racecourse is set to welcome thousands to the town once again next year.

One of the highlights of the racing calendar remains the September Eastern Festival.

Eastern Daily Press: Great Yarmouth Races 5.6.97 Photo: Archant LibraryGreat Yarmouth Races 5.6.97 Photo: Archant Library (Image: Archant)

Eastern Daily Press: The first horse race of the year at Great Yarmouth, 1 June 1994. Picture: Archant LibraryThe first horse race of the year at Great Yarmouth, 1 June 1994. Picture: Archant Library (Image: Archant Library)

Eastern Daily Press: Great Yarmouth Races, 5th July 1995. Photo: Archant LibraryGreat Yarmouth Races, 5th July 1995. Photo: Archant Library (Image: Archant Library)

Eastern Daily Press: Sport - Horse RacingCrowds at Great Yarmouth racesDated 4th August 1955Photogragh C1006Sport - Horse RacingCrowds at Great Yarmouth racesDated 4th August 1955Photogragh C1006

Eastern Daily Press: Sport - Horse RacingGreat Yarmouth Racecourse.Looking down from the top of the County Stand in Tattersalls Enclosure at Yarmouth Racecourse as race-goers see the entries for the first race of the June Meeting, parade in the Paddock Ring for the 2.30 'Fee Farm Plate' race.Dated 23 June 1965Photograph C9268Sport - Horse RacingGreat Yarmouth Racecourse.Looking down from the top of the County Stand in Tattersalls Enclosure at Yarmouth Racecourse as race-goers see the entries for the first race of the June Meeting, parade in the Paddock Ring for the 2.30 'Fee Farm Plate' race.Dated 23 June 1965Photograph C9268

Eastern Daily Press: Sport - Horse RacingGreat Yarmouth Racecourse.Yarmouth Races, July meeting first day.Dated 10 July 1963Photograph C9273Sport - Horse RacingGreat Yarmouth Racecourse.Yarmouth Races, July meeting first day.Dated 10 July 1963Photograph C9273

Eastern Daily Press: Sport - Horse RacingGreat Yarmouth Racecourse.Entries for one of the races parade in Tattersall's Enclosure Ring at Yarmouth.Dated reprint from 1963Photograph C9296Sport - Horse RacingGreat Yarmouth Racecourse.Entries for one of the races parade in Tattersall's Enclosure Ring at Yarmouth.Dated reprint from 1963Photograph C9296

Eastern Daily Press: Sport - Horse RacingGreat Yarmouth Racecourse.The Magdalen Estate Handicap Stakes at Yarmouth.Dated 17 August 1967Photograph C9298Sport - Horse RacingGreat Yarmouth Racecourse.The Magdalen Estate Handicap Stakes at Yarmouth.Dated 17 August 1967Photograph C9298