Enhance your Grand National Experience
TAKE A COURSE TOUR OF THE ICONIC FENCES PRIOR TO RACING
The Course Tour is perfect for those who want to see the fences prior to racing during Grand National. Sit back, relax and be chauffeured round by one of our enthusiastic Racemakers in our Course Tour minibuses or walk the course at your leisure. You’ll see some of the most iconic fences in horseracing history including Becher’s Brook and Canal Turn.
For 2019, Walking Tours will run throughout the three days and the minibus tour will run on Grand National Day only, starting at 10.10am, just after gates open. Each tour will take approximately 20 minutes depending on how busy the Course is.
The Racemakers are there to help you enjoy your day and will give you as much information as possible, however due to timings, this is not an in-depth guided, historical tour but more of an opportunity to see the iconic fences!
To allow as many people to enjoy the minibus tour as possible, there is no advanced booking system and this will be offered on a first come, first served basis. Be aware that there may be queues and we cannot guarantee that large parties can all be on the same minibus. It is advised that you make your way to the starting point as early as possible to secure a place.
The Course Tour is absolutely FREE, however donations will kindly be accepted on the day for The Jockey Club’s own charity, Racing Welfare.
TIMINGS
Grand National Thursday
Walking Tours will start from 11:00am to 1pm
Ladies Day
Walking Tours will start from 10:30am to 1pm
Grand National Day
Minibus Tours will run from 10.10am to 1pm (last minibus tour will be 12:45pm)
Where do I pick up a minibus tour?
The start point for the tour is in the centre of the course. If accessing from the Grandstand side, you will see the archway located near the Princess Royal stand. If entering the course from Melling Road, via the internal shuttle bus, you will pass the start point on your way to the grandstands.
What happens on the minibus tour?
Please make your way to the start point where you will be welcomed by one of our friendly Racemakers. You will need to go to the Minibus tour chalet to get your ticket for the Course Tour and also pick up your enamel souvenir badge. The minibus will only leave when it is full. If a minibus is not available when you arrive, you will be advised of the waiting times by the Racemakers.
Once on the minibus, you will be driven around the tour with your Racemaker who will give you a few facts along the way. You will be driving slowly past the main fences so you can see them; however you will not be allowed to get off the minibus during the tour.
Please note that this is not a full, historical guided tour but more of an opportunity to see the fences prior to racing. Due to the size and scale of the Festival, we cannot offer personal guided tours during the event.
Which fences will I see on the Course Tour?
You will be driven past the majority of the fences, however the ones covered on the tour will be:
The Open Ditch – fence 3 & 19
Becher’s Brook – fence 6 & 22
Foinavon – fence 7 & 23
Canal Turn – fence 8 & 24
Valentine’s Brook – fence 9 & 25
On the route back to the starting point, you will pass The Chair (fence 15) and The Water Jump (fence 16) however due to their location there may be a limited view from the minibus.
I’M ATTENDING ON GRAND NATIONAL THURSDAY AND/OR LADIES DAY. ARE COURSE TOURS AVAILABLE?
Our friendly team of Racemakers will be on hand during Grand National Thursday and Ladies Day to take you and your group on walking tours should you wish to have more in depth information. Due to lower demand in recent years, there won’t be minibuses available on either of these days.
Please make your way to the centre of the Course, as directed by the signs, and go to the Walking Tour chalet to pick up your Walking Tour brochure and enamel souvenir badge. The Walking Tour will take approximately one hour to complete and you will be taken to Becher’s Brook where the tour will terminate. Your Racemaker will walk you back to the start line, or you can continue round the Course on your own, as you wish.
The non-grandstand side of the Course will close 15 minutes prior to racing and you will not be able to cross the Course.
WEATHER
In the event of severe wind and rain, the minibus tours may be cancelled at short notice. However they will continue to run if there is light rain, as long as the driving conditions are reasonable. It is advisable to bring a coat or jacket with you.
WHO IS THE MINIBUS TOUR SUITABLE FOR?
This is suitable for all customers who can make their way to the start point in the centre of the Course. You will not get off the minibus during the tour and will be driven for the duration of it.
I WOULD LIKE TO WALK THE COURSE, CAN I STILL DO THAT?
Yes, it’s still possible to walk the Course. Our friendly team of Racemakers will provide you with a Walking Tour brochure, free of charge, which will have information in about the fences you will see on your tour. If report directly to the Walking Tour chalet, you will receive an enamel course tour souvenir badge.
Weather
In the event of severe wind and rain, the minibus tours may be cancelled at short notice. However they will continue to run if there is light rain, as long as the driving conditions are reasonable. It is advisable to bring a coat or jacket with you.
Who is the minibus tour suitable for?
This is suitable for all customers who can make their way to the start point in the centre of the Course. You will not alight from the minibus during the tour and will be driven for the duration of it.
I would like to walk the course, can I still do that?
Yes, it’s still possible to walk the Course. Make sure you download The Jockey Club App, available on both Apple and Android devices. If you register with us at the start point, you will still receive an enamel course tour souvenir badge.
See how the iconic Grand National fences are built in the video below.
