Where to stay for the 2016 Grand National meeting?

The Grand National is one of the true highlights on the UK sporting calendar and will attract plenty of media attention once again in 2016! Every year, tens of thousands of avid horse racing fans travel to Liverpool’s Aintree racecourse to check out the best horses in the business as they attempt to romp home for victory in one of the most testing races on the planet.

The 30-fence circuit spans over four miles and is the biggest test of a horse’s credentials. To win the National, the thoroughbred must be both a stayer and a good jumper. Plenty of punters will already be checking out odds for the big rice but racegoers must quickly turn their attention to accommodation and a place to stay. Hotels are limited in the surrounding area and it may be wise to stay outside of the area and use public transport on the day.

Warrington

If you’d prefer a quieter stay, you could stay in Warrington – which is about a 20 minute drive from Liverpool city centre. There are a number of Premier Inn/Travel Lodge-type hotels as well as local bed and breakfast houses. Trains to and from the Liverpool area are very regular and there are also plenty of shuttle buses from the train station to Aintree racecourse itself.

In Warrington, there are various options for food and drink. If you want a quiet, quick meal, there are a number of local takeaways and fast food establishments. By the same token, there are enough options if you want to go out – especially in and around the town centre. The Swan in Winwick is a lovely, quaint restaurant and with the Premier Inn attached next door and a 1-minute drive to the motorway, it’s brilliant for direct access to Aintree.

Liverpool City Centre

Liverpool city centre is arguably the best place for both atmosphere and entertainment. In the build-up to the event, you can head into one of the city’s many bookmakers and place a bet ahead of Grand National day. If you simply cannot wait, check out those those fixed odds now!

Many racegoers will decide their horses on the day, however, and may want to head into the city centre and scour the odds over breakfast. In Liverpool’s beautiful city, you can do just that. There are plenty of hotel chains, bed and breakfast establishments, restaurants and hostels – there’s something for everyone, especially in the run-up to Liverpool’s finest weekend of the year.

Chester

Or perhaps you are travelling from north Wales and want to stay on that side of Liverpool, well Chester is a great option. Once again, it’s on a direct train-line so there will be no need to change on your way to the racecourse and the local area is also very beautiful. If you have any spare time, feel free to check out Chester’s architecture and embrace the city’s rich history.

Chester truly is one of the prettiest cities in the north west of England and thousands of people travel to the city to attend its very own horse racing festival in the summer months. If you enjoy your stay for Aintree’s Grand National meeting, who knows – you may return for the next major meeting just a few months later!