Course Walk

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.

A team of Racemakers will be at the start to help guide you around the Course Tour.

To allow as many people to enjoy the coach tours as possible, there is no advanced booking system and this will be offered on a first-come, first-served basis. Be aware that there will be queues and we cannot guarantee that large parties can take a coach together. It is advised that you make your way to the start point as early as possible to secure a place.

The Course Tour is free.

Please make your way to the centre of the Course, as directed by the signs, and go to the Course Walk chalet to pick up your Walking Tour brochure. The Walking Tour will take approximately one hour to complete.

Each Minibus tour will take approximately 20-30 minutes depending on how busy the Course is. Please note that customers will not be able to leave the coach whilst on 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.

Thursday

• Walking Tours will start from 11:00am to 13:00

Friday

• Walking Tours will start from 10:30am to 13:00

Saturday

• Minibus Tours will run from 10:00am – 13:00 (the last minibus tour will be 12:45pm)
• Walking Tours will start from 10:00am to 13:00

Please make your way to the start point where you will be welcomed by one of our friendly Racemakers. You will need to register to take the Course Tour. You will then be assigned your ticket and timeslot for the tour. The coach will only leave when it is full. If a coach is not available when you arrive, you will be advised of the waiting times by the Racemaker.

Once on the minibus, you will be driven around the tour with your Racemaker as a guide. They will talk you through some of the history and facts about the fences whilst on route. You will not be allowed to alight from the minibus during the 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.

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.

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.

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 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.

In the event of severe wind and rain, you may not be permitted to access the centre of the Course and therefore, walking will not be available.

Please be aware that this is entirely outdoors, therefore it is advisable to bring a coat or jacket with you.