Hotels near Aintree Racecourse

Since 1839, when the first Grand National was run, Aintree Racecourse has been home to this world famous steeplechase. So demanding is the course, that typically less than a third of the 40 starters will complete the race, and on one occasion in 1928, only 2 finished out of 42 starters! It is no wonder that for many owners, riders and jockeys, that a win at the Grand National may well be the pinnacle of their career.

Many racehorse owners from completely different walks of life aspire to win the Grand National, but only a very few will. Many spend their entire lives trying to win and guys like Noel Le Mare (Red Rum) and Jim Joel (Maori Venture) were well into their 80's and 90's before they tasted success. Red Rum first won for the first time in 1973, going on to first place a further twice and second place another two times. No other horse has managed to win three times.

The challenging event is 4.5 miles and 2 laps of the Aintree racecourse over 16 of the most punishing steeplechase fences in the horse racing calendar. Cruelest of the fences are The Chair, Canal Turn and Becher's Brook, each with their own unique characteristics demanding the very best of both horse and jockey. The Grand National is frequently won or lost in the last 450 metres of the race after the last fence. In 1956 just 50 meters from the finish line, Devon Loch inexplicably collapsed and lost the race.

In the last few years, spectator numbers for the Grand National have approached or exceeded the 150,000 mark, and this interest is reflected throughout the rest of the UK, where this may be the only day in the year that millions of Brits enjoy a 'little flutter'.

Whilst the Grand National is undoubtedly Aintree's best known racing event, it does also hold another 5 races throughout the year, as well as several concerts, and occasionally motor racing events also take place.

Aintree Racecourse is around 4.5 miles from Liverpool City Centre and just 1 mile from the end of the M57 and M58 motorways, from where you just follow the signs for the races. From the Mersey Tunnel follow the signs for Preston and the A59, after which you will pick up the signs for the races.

Aintree Station is directly opposite the racecourse, to which trains run every 15 minutes on racedays, and every 7 minutes during the Grand National, from Liverpool Central Station which is only a short stroll from Lime Street Station.