Aintree Racecourse in Liverpool is home to the Grand National, the world’s most famous horse race, run over a vast course with legendary fences including Becher’s Brook and The Chair. The three-day April Festival is one of the great occasions of the British sporting and social calendar.

This guide covers the course’s history, the Festival, the experience and how to get there.

A short history of the course

Aintree has staged the Grand National since 1839. Over nearly two centuries it has produced some of sport’s most dramatic moments, watched by a global television audience of hundreds of millions.

The big meeting: the Grand National

The Randox Grand National Festival each April is three days — Liverpool Day, Ladies Day and Grand National Day — building to the National itself, with more than 70,000 on course on the final day. Fashion and festivity are as much a part of it as the racing.

The course & the experience

The National course is a huge, flat, triangular circuit with its famous spruce-dressed fences; the adjoining Mildmay course hosts further high-class chasing and hurdling.

The wider racing calendar

The April Festival dominates, with a handful of smaller fixtures through the year.

Getting to Aintree Racecourse

Aintree Racecourse sits about 210 miles from central London, postcode L9 5AS, reached via the M6 and M57.

By road

Aintree sits off the M57 and M58, well connected from Liverpool, Manchester and the motorway network. Official car parks should be pre-booked for the big meetings and fill early, and the queue to leave after the last race is the worst part of the day.

By train

Aintree station is right beside the course on the Merseyrail network, a short hop from Liverpool city centre — handy locally, though heaving on National day.

By air, and the private-hire alternative

For visitors arriving by air, Aintree Racecourse is reachable from Liverpool and Heathrow among others. Rather than gamble on a shuttle queue or rideshare surge when the crowd leaves at once, a fixed-fare transfer to Aintree Racecourse collects you at the door, drops as close to the gate as permitted and has a driver arranged for the exit.

The calm way to do race day

Fixed-price, pre-booked transfers to Aintree Racecourse (L9 5AS) — executive cars for couples, MPVs and minibuses for groups, no surge and no late-night premium. Your driver is allocated when you book and set down as close to the gate as the traffic plan allows, with the pickup arranged in advance for the exit.

Get a fixed Aintree fare

Practical race-day tips

  • National day sells out. Book the Festival days well ahead.
  • Sort the exit. A pre-arranged pickup beats the huge National-day crowd.
  • Dress for the occasion. Ladies Day is a fashion event in its own right.
  • Go as a group. One minibus is cheaper per head and keeps everyone together.

Frequently asked questions

Where is Aintree Racecourse and the postcode?
In Aintree, Liverpool, Merseyside, off the M57. The sat-nav postcode is L9 5AS.
When is the Grand National?
The Randox Grand National Festival runs over three days each April, ending with the Grand National itself. Check the racecourse for exact dates.
Is there a station at Aintree?
Yes — Aintree station is right beside the course on Merseyrail, a short hop from Liverpool city centre, though extremely busy on National day.
How far is it from London?
About 210 miles and roughly 3 hours 45 minutes by car — fares from London are high; many guests fly to Liverpool or use the train for the long leg.
Can the driver wait for the exit?
Yes — a same-day return keeps your driver on hand for the journey home.