Grand National Enclosures
Grandstand
Aintree has five main Grandstands: The Princess Royal Stand, The County Stand, The Queen Mother Stand, The Earl of Derby Stand and The Lord Sefton Stand.
Within the Grandstands, racegoers can purchase a choice of standing or reserved seat badges. All Grandstands have full bar, catering and betting facilities.
Princess Royal Stand
Seats: Always in popular demand, these seats offer excellent views overlooking the home straight. The stand is situated between the Chair and the Water Jump and offers a premium view of the final 200 metres of every race. Holders of reserved badges within this stand have access to their own private bar and tote betting facilities. The seats in this stand are mostly undercover.
Roof: A partially covered standing area, with the Tommy Wallis Suite as its dedicated bar, this enclosure offers a unique vantage point over the racecourse, and an ideal spot for viewing the exciting final few minutes of every race.
County Stand
Roof: With a birds-eye view directly over the winning post, you can see whose first past the post before anyone else. A beautiful uncovered roof area, with traditional architecture and prime viewing, this standing enclosure is very popular with racegoers at Aintree.
Queen Mother Stand
Seats: Located close to the Grand National start and finish lines, the Queen Mother Stand is completely covered, protecting racegoers from the elements. Queen Mother Seats are accessed from the front of the grandstand.
Roof: Located just yards past the Grand National finish line, and close to where the horses enter the racecourse, the uncovered Queen Mother Stand Roof offers premium standing viewing of the course and is in close proximity to the Parade Ring.
Earl of Derby and Lord Sefton Stands
Seats: Open for the first time at the 2007 Grand National meeting, the Earl of Derby and Lord Sefton grandstands were designed to offer first-class viewing facilities for the 21st century spectator, and both stands fit the brief perfectly.
Each grandstand provides two levels of tiered, covered seating (upper and lower), higher than any other seated enclosure at Aintree and hence provide breathtaking views over the entire course. Both levels permit access to a private saddle bar overlooking the horse-walk tunnel and Parade Ring, ensuring racegoers are in the hub of the day’s excitement.
Set at a unique angle, overlooking the Grand National start and finish, you’re guaranteed you won’t want to leave your seat all day. Both tiers of seats leave you with a 360° impression of the famous course – the place to be to soak up the magic that is Aintree.
Terraces: Not to be confused with roof badges, the terraces are lower than other standing enclosures but offer a prime spot, closer to the action than anywhere else on the racecourse. Located either side of the horse walk, be first to cheer a winner on its way back to the Winner’s Enclosure as well as witness the colourful preparations of horses and jockeys at the Grand National start.
West Tip Seats
Part of the atmospheric Tattersalls Enclosure, these covered, temporary seats offer great views up the home straight. With a dedicated bar for West Tip seat holders, you can enjoy this luxury, or go and explore the rest of the Tattersalls Enclosure at your leisure. These seats are always in great demand, so early booking is essential to avoid disappointment.
The Tattersalls Enclosure
The Tattersalls Enclosure was greatly enhanced in 2007 with the completion of the new Aintree Pavilion. This new permanent facility supplies one of the largest and most atmospheric enclosures on a racecourse with greatly improved facilities for racegoers of all ages. As well as permitting access to the new Aintree Pavilion, Tattersalls tickets allow racegoers to sample bars and catering areas within the Red Rum Garden as well as the legendary Irish bar located within the Princess Royal Stand. Tattersalls tickets also permit access for viewing of the parade ring and winner's enclosure, ensuring you sample the best of Aintree's unique atmosphere during your visit.
From the Tattersalls Enclosure, racing is mainly viewed from the large Aintree Mound in front of the Aintree Pavilion. Although this facility is not undercover, it does offer great views of the horses racing up the home straight, with large-screen TV viewing directly in front of the mound. Live music can be found in various locations within the Tattersalls Enclosure, ensuring racegoers are entertained throughout the day.
Steeplechase Enclosure
The Steeplechase Enclosure is a great place to experience the atmosphere of the Grand National. Situated on the far side of the Melling Road, this enclosure allows great viewing of the Grand National itself, and a new seating facility, overlooking the Mildmay course, has now been created to allow viewing of all other races. There is no access to the Parade Ring or Winner’s Enclosure from this area.
Platinum County Lounge
The newest style bar experience at the racecourse today, this exclusive lounge area offers racegoers comfort and luxurious surroundings for a special day at the Grand National meeting. With reserved covered seats in the County Stand, overlooking the famous Water Jump and Winning Post, you are guaranteed a prime location, with premium benefits in this VIP facility. This exclusive area features a private entrance, a dedicated Champagne bar (open for an additional hour following the final race of the day), a reserved seat, complimentary racecard, raceday hostess plus a souvenir badge. Although this package is not inclusive of food or drink, you will have special access to the course’s luxury catering concessions and a dedicated private bar.
The Bulmers Original Cider Bar
Undoubtedly the most characteristic and colourful bar on any racecourse today, this facility used to be Aintree's historic Weighing Room and Winner's Enclosure. In addition to a grandstand badge of your choice* this prime package offers its own private bar (for holders of Bulmers Original Bar badges only), a range of complimentary finger food, in addition to a free celebration drink on arrival. A full range of beers and ciders are available to purchase at the bar.
Parade Ring and Winner’s Enclosure
The Winner’s Enclosure at Aintree has provided some of the sport’s most memorable and compelling images over the years as ecstatic connections have greeted their returning hero. However, 2006 marked the beginning of a new era, with the opening of a new Parade Ring, which incorporates the Winner's Enclosure for the Grand National. The new facilities are designed to allow many more racegoers to witness these thrilling scenes.
Car parking
A free park and ride scheme is operational for the Grand National (which is signposted off the M57 motorway). There is limited parking at the racecourse, including disabled parking, please call 0151 522 2919 to purchase. A free limited mini-bus and coach park is available when group tickets are purchased in advance.
Accommodation
Make the most of your visit to the Grand National this year by staying in the 2008 Capital of Culture or the surrounding areas of the northwest. Liverpool Tourist Information offer a free accommodation search and booking service over the Grand National period. Go to www.visitliverpool.com or call 0844 8700 123 UK or +44 [0]151 709 8111 from overseas.
Disabled Facilities
The County car park, situated next to the racecourse, is suitable for disabled parking but all spaces are limited and early booking is absolutely essential. The Princess Royal Stand and the Queen Mother Stand offer the best facilities for disabled visitors, with toilets and lift access to all floors.
Smoke Free Aintee
All enclosed public areas at Aintree, including race-viewing seats, bars and restaurants are non-smoking. Designated smoking areas are provided.
Dress Code
Although there is no official dress code, smart is preferable.