# Grand National Festival: what to do between sessions in Liverpool

Source: https://eventweekends.com/culture/grand-national/
Last checked: 2026-11-02

## In short

- **When:** 8 to 10 April 2027 (expected, not yet confirmed by the organiser)
- **Where:** Aintree Racecourse, Liverpool, United Kingdom, about 8 km from the centre
- **Free time:** Gaps of two to four hours between screenings or shows, and whole days for companions.
- **Best base:** Albert Dock and Baltic Triangle: Waterfront and food halls.
- **Getting there:** Liverpool John Lennon (LPL) is 30 minutes by bus; Manchester (MAN) has direct trains in 1 hour.
- **Weather:** In April, Liverpool averages highs of about 11°C and lows of 5°C, with roughly 56 mm of rain in the month. Expect about 13 h 25 min of daylight.
- **Top things to do:** The Beatles Story; Magical Mystery Tour bus; Anfield stadium tour

## Know before you go

- Ladies Day is on Friday; the Grand National itself is on Saturday afternoon.

## Weather and what to pack

In April, Liverpool averages highs of about 11°C and lows of 5°C, with roughly 56 mm of rain in the month. Expect about 13 h 25 min of daylight.
- A warm layer for the evenings.
- A light rain jacket, just in case.
- Comfortable walking shoes and a small day bag.

## Airport to venue

Liverpool John Lennon (LPL) is 30 minutes by bus; Manchester (MAN) has direct trains in 1 hour.

Merseyrail to Aintree station.

## Where to stay

- **budget:** Lime Street. Station hotels.
- **mid:** Albert Dock and Baltic Triangle. Waterfront and food halls.
- **luxury:** Pier Head. Landmark hotels.
- Hotels we would book: Premier Inn Liverpool City Centre (Lime Street) (budget), Titanic Hotel Liverpool (mid), The Shankly Hotel (luxury)

## Day plans for the free hours

### Between screenings or shows

A two- to four-hour gap: something close by.
- Half-day: The Beatles Story. Museum at Albert Dock.
- Eat: Baltic Market, Street food in an old warehouse

### A free day

For companions without a pass, or attendees taking a day off.
- Full day: North Wales and Snowdonia day trip. Mountains and castles.

### Evenings

After the last show of the day.
- After dark: Mathew Street and the Cavern Club.
- Eat: Maray, Small plates on Bold Street

### Rainy day

Indoor backups.
- Rain or heat backup: Anfield stadium tour. Liverpool FC.
- Free: Tate Liverpool and the Museum of Liverpool.

## Tours worth booking

- [The Beatles Story](https://www.getyourguide.com/s/?q=Beatles%20Story%20tickets&partner_id=BJZNH3H&cmp=ew-md-grand-national): Museum at Albert Dock.
- [Magical Mystery Tour bus](https://www.getyourguide.com/s/?q=Magical%20Mystery%20Tour%20Liverpool&partner_id=BJZNH3H&cmp=ew-md-grand-national): Penny Lane and Strawberry Field.
- [Anfield stadium tour](https://www.getyourguide.com/s/?q=Anfield%20tour&partner_id=BJZNH3H&cmp=ew-md-grand-national): Liverpool FC.
- [Mersey ferry cruise](https://www.getyourguide.com/s/?q=Mersey%20ferry&partner_id=BJZNH3H&cmp=ew-md-grand-national): Fifty-minute river cruise.
- [North Wales and Snowdonia day trip](https://www.getyourguide.com/s/?q=Snowdonia%20day%20trip%20from%20Liverpool&partner_id=BJZNH3H&cmp=ew-md-grand-national): Mountains and castles.

## Where to eat

- Baltic Market: Street food in an old warehouse
- Maray: Small plates on Bold Street
- Bold Street cafés: Brunch street

## With kids

- World Museum.
- Museum of Liverpool.

## Rainy-day backups

- Merseyside Maritime Museum.
- Walker Art Gallery.

## Getting around

- Merseyrail trains; buses to Anfield and the new Everton stadium at Bramley-Moore Dock.
- Tap in with a contactless card on buses, trams and most urban trains.
- Book long-distance trains early on the operator app or Trainline: walk-up fares are expensive.
- Uber works in most UK cities; local black cabs are metered.

## Questions people ask

### When is Grand National Festival 2027?

The next edition is 8 to 10 April 2027, following the usual pattern. The organiser has not confirmed it yet.

### What is the weather like during Grand National Festival?

In April, Liverpool averages highs of about 11°C and lows of 5°C, with roughly 56 mm of rain in the month. Expect about 13 h 25 min of daylight.

### How do I get from the airport to Aintree Racecourse?

Liverpool John Lennon (LPL) is 30 minutes by bus; Manchester (MAN) has direct trains in 1 hour. Merseyrail to Aintree station.

### Where should I stay for Grand National Festival?

For most visitors the best base is Albert Dock and Baltic Triangle: Waterfront and food halls.

### What can we do between sessions at Grand National Festival?

Good short outings in Liverpool include The Beatles Story, Magical Mystery Tour bus, Anfield stadium tour. See the day plans on this page for a full schedule.

### What is there for kids and families near Grand National Festival?

Family-friendly picks: The Beatles Story, Anfield stadium tour, Mersey ferry cruise. World Museum.

### How far is Aintree Racecourse from Liverpool centre?

About 8 km in a straight line. Merseyrail to Aintree station.

More in Liverpool: https://eventweekends.com/city/liverpool/