Merseyside Race Tracks You Should Visit

Merseyside has been the pulsating heart of horse racing for centuries. Legendary events and iconic venues define its legacy, and its fame is centred on Aintree Racecourse. It is the global home to the world’s greatest steeplechase, the Grand National. Since 1839, the formidable contest has captured international imagination, leaving fans with memories of despair and triumph.

Merseyside’s historic racing fabric included the now-closed Waterloo Cup coursing event, which once drew people from around England. Merseyside is a pilgrimage for every racing enthusiast, giving a chance to experience the thrilling history first hand. In this article, we will profile some of the best racetracks in Merseyside, highlighting their uniqueness and why you should visit them.

The Best Racetracks Located In Merseyside

Merseyside is known for accommodating people far and wide. It’s a tourist-friendly area with a good public transport system. As a result, it’s easy to visit the best Racetracks. Here are Merseyside’s iconic and racing crown jewels.

Aintree Racecourse

This is the undisputed heart of racing in Merseyside. Aintree Racecourse offers an experience different from other racetracks in the world. What sets Aintree apart from other racetracks in the world is the Randox Grand National event. It is a British cultural institution and a global sporting spectacle featuring enormous fences like the Canal Turn, Becher’s Brook, and The Chair. The scale of the event, with its 600-metre run to the first fence and the sheer roar of the crowd, is massive. Aintree delivers an electric atmosphere that is impossible to match elsewhere.

During the three-day Grand National Festival, lovers of horse racing enjoy the number one racing pilgrimage in Merseyside. Apart from the April pilgrimage, Aintree offers casual and high rollers a proper structure for pricing. The exclusive Princess Royal Restaurant offers great views for hundreds of pounds. Apart from the fine dining, there is access to the famous finish line, paddock, and winner’s enclosure via the Club Enclosure. Prices are from £90 to over £150 per person. Grandstand Enclosure offers a fantastic experience with tickets priced at around 50 to 80 pounds.

Apart from the Grand National festival, Aintree hosts family-friendly fixtures and several National jump meetings during the winter. The prices are from £20 to £30 for Grandstand entry.

Haydock Park Racecourse

It is embedded in the sporting soul of the wider Merseyside area. It is found in Newton-le-Willows and is regarded as the Northern Powerhouse. Apart from its prestigious place as a critical destination that tests horses’ ability, in the UK, it is one of the premier dual-purpose tracks, hosting Flat racing and Jumping.

In terms of experience, it is more relaxed, and viewing is excellent from most stands, as the layout is user-friendly. It has a reputation for welcoming seasoned punters and casual racing lovers. Haydock provides facilities like the Village Enclosure with a modern experience. There is live music, food stalls, and the Premier Enclosure offers more formal dining options with access to the paddock, private boxes and winner’s circle. Prices are significantly lower than those of Aintree’s Grand National Festival. The Premier Enclosure ranges from 35 to 50 pounds. This makes it a regular destination for locals and families.

Wallasey Racecourse

Although defunct, it is worthy of recognition! The former Wallasey Racecourse was active throughout the 19th century on the Wirral Peninsula. Wallasey attracted large crowds to its flat racing venue.

It closed down in the late 1800s, and the land was used for housing. To date,  its story is highly revered when mentioning Merseyside’s rich racing venues.

History of Each Venue And Why You Should Visit There

Aintree Racecourse

Embedded in history since 1829, the Grand National ground is known as the world’s most iconic ground ever since its first run in 1839. The events are regulated, and it captivates local and global audiences with its formidable fences like The Chair and Becher’s Brook. You should visit Aintree for its pure cultural experience anytime. Either during the winter meeting or the Grand National festival, you are exposed to an electric atmosphere that is etched in sporting folklore.

Haydock Park Racecourse

Haydock is recognised as the Premier dual-purpose track known for hosting top-class flat and jump racing since 1899. In the racing calendar, there are events like the speed of the Sprint Cup and the stern test of the Betfair Chase. Here you experience excellent viewing, a chilled atmosphere, world-class action and accessibility. The exposure to a purist’s racing experience is second to none.

Wallasey Racecourse

The 19th-century flat racing venue attracted large crowds before shutting down in the 1880s. It has historical roots for the now modern Aintree and new racing tracks in England. To date, what is now an urban development is still celebrated as a cornerstone for flat racing.

Aintree’s global spectacle, Haydock’s elite dual-season action and Wallasey’s historical significance at Merseyside offer a unique blend of culture and racing heritage. The region is an important destination for any racing lover. Each venue provides a distinct, enduring appeal.