Access Guide
Getting Here
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By Road
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- From the south, leave M6 at J21A and join M62 west. Leave M62 at J6 to join M57, follow signs for races. From North Leave M6 at J26 and join M58, follow signs for races. From Mersey Tunnels follow signs for Preston, then for A59, then signs for races. The main entrance to the racecourse via Grand National Avenue is just off Ormskirk Road (A59). Please use this entrance for conference and events. For Sat Nav users, please enter the postcode L9 5AS.
- There is parking for up to 1,800 cars. Car parking is available for free at Aintree on non Grand National meetings. For the Randox Health Grand National Festival car parking is limited and must be purchased in advance. To enquire or make a booking, call the Booking Line on 0344 579 3001. Parking needs to be pre-booked and is not available for purchase on the day.
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By Bus
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- There is a bus stop within 150 metres of the venue.
- Aintree can be reached by bus on services: 300, 310 and 345 both to and from Liverpool.
- For more information on Arriva Bus please click here (opens new tab).
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By Train
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- The nearest Railway Station is Aintree.
- The easiest way to reach Aintree is by train. The nearest mainline station to Aintree is Liverpool Lime Street. Liverpool Central Station is just a short walk from Lime Street, where you can catch a train to Aintree. Aintree Station is directly opposite the racecourse, where regular trains run every 15 minutes on racedays (more frequently during The Randox Health Grand National Festival).
- For more information on National Rail please click here (opens new tab).
Getting Help and Assistance
- For the racecourse map please click here (new tab).
- There is a member of staff available for help and assistance.
- Staff receive disability awareness/equality training.
- Water bowls for assistance dogs are available.
Raceday Parking
Outside Access (The Princess Royal Stand - Main Entrance and Reception)
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Entrance
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- This information is for the entrance located off the main car park.
- The entrance area/door is clearly signed.
- There is step-free access at this entrance.
- There is not a canopy or recess which provides weather protection at this entrance.
- The entrance door(s) does not/do not contrast visually with its immediate surroundings.
- The main door(s) open(s) automatically.
- The door(s) is/are double width.
- The width of the door opening is 152cm.
- There is a small lip on the threshold of the entrance, with a height of 2cm or below.
- There are bollards at this entrance.
- The minimum width between the bollards is 108cm.
- There is a member of staff available for assistance at this entrance.
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Comments
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- A set of manual double doors with a width of 160cm are to the right of the automatic doors.
Other Floors (The Princess Royal Stand)
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Stairs
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- Stairs can be used to access other floors.
- The stairs are for public use.
- The stairs are located in the Princess Royal Stand reception area.
- The stairs are approximately 6m from the main entrance.
- The stairs are clearly visible from the entrance.
- There are manual, double doors which may be difficult to open to enter and exit the stairwell on all floors.
- The floors which are accessible by stairs are G, 1, 2, 3, 4.
- There are 15+ steps between floors.
- The height of the step(s) is/are between the recommended 15cm and 18cm.
- The going of the step(s) is/are between the recommended 30cm and 45cm.
- The steps are clearly marked.
- There is a/are handrail(s) at the step(s).
- The steps have a handrail on both sides.
- Handrails are at the recommended height (90cm-100cm).
- Handrails do cover the flight of stairs throughout its length.
- Handrails are easy to grip.
- Handrails do not extend horizontally beyond the first and last steps.
- There is a landing.
- Clear signs indicating the facilities on each floor are provided on landings.
- The lighting levels at the steps are good.
Lift (The Princess Royal Stand)
- There is a lift for public use.
- The lift is located in the The Princess Royal Stand reception area.
- Signs indicating the location of the lift are not available from the entrance.
- The lift is approximately 11m (12yd 1in) from the the Princess Royal Stand Main Entrance.
- The lift is a standard lift.
- A member of staff does not need to be notified for use of the lift.
- The floors which are accessible by this lift are G, 1, 2, 3, 4.
- There are manual, double doors which may be difficult to open to access the lift lobby on all floors.
- Clear signs indicating the facilities on each floor are provided on lift lobby landings.
- There is a clear level manoeuvring space of 150cm × 150cm in front of the lift.
- Lift doors do contrast visually with lift lobby walls.
- The external controls for the lift are within 90cm - 110cm from the floor.
- The colour contrast between the external lift controls and the control plate is high.
- The colour contrast between the external lift control plate and the wall is High.
- The clear door width is 110cm (3ft 7in).
- The dimensions of the lift are 190cm x 140cm (6ft 3in x 4ft 7in).
- There are no separate entry and exit doors in the lift.
- There is a mirror to aid reversing out of the lift.
- There is a list of floor services available within the lift.
- The lift does have a visual floor indicator.
- The lift does have an audible announcer.
- The controls for the lift are within 90cm - 120cm from the floor.
- There is not a hearing loop system.
- The lift does have Braille markings.
- The lift does have tactile markings.
- The lighting levels in the lift are good.
Eating and Drinking (Princess Royal Seats and Gallery Bar)
- The following information is for the bar.
- The bar is located on the first floor of The Princess Royal Stand.
- There is step-free access to the bar.
- There is a/are double, heavy manual door(s) to access this area.
- Full table service is not available.
- Food and/or drinks are ordered from the service counter.
- Food and/or drinks can be brought to the table.
- The height of the service counter is high (110cm+) .
- There is a lowered section of the counter.
- The lowered section of the counter is not at the recommended height of 76cm.
- There is a clear knee recess beneath the lowered section of the counter.
- The clear knee recess does not have the recommended dimensions of 70cm (height) x 50cm (depth).
- There is not a hearing assistance system .
- There is step-free access within the bar.
- There is ample room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre.
- This area does not play background music.
- The type of flooring in this area is carpet and vinyl.
- Some tables are permanently fixed.
- No chairs are permanently fixed.
- No chairs have armrests on both sides.
- The nearest table is approximately 5m from the entrance/opening.
- The nearest table is approximately 3m from the till/counter.
- The distance between the floor and the lowest table is 100cm.
- The distance between the floor and the highest table is 107cm.
- Takeaway cups are available.
- Drinking straws are available.
- Children are welcomed in the bar area.
- The lighting levels are good.
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Comments
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- The lowered section of the service counter is 77cm high.
Eating and Drinking (Sundew - Champagne & Seafood)
- The following information is for the café/bar.
- The café/bar is located within the Princess Royal Seats & Gallery Bar.
- There is step-free access to the café/bar.
- There is a/are double, heavy manual door(s) to access this area.
- Full table service is not available.
- Food and/or drinks are ordered from the service counter.
- Food and/or drinks can be brought to the table.
- The height of the service counter is high (110cm+) .
- There is a lowered section of the counter.
- The lowered section of the counter is not at the recommended height of 76cm.
- There is not a clear knee recess beneath the lowered section of the counter.
- There is not a hearing assistance system .
- There is step-free access within the café/bar.
- There is ample room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre.
- This area does not play background music.
- The type of flooring in this area is carpet and vinyl.
- Some tables are permanently fixed.
- No chairs are permanently fixed.
- No chairs have armrests on both sides.
- The nearest table is approximately 5m from the entrance/opening.
- The nearest table is approximately 2m from the till/counter.
- The distance between the floor and the lowest table is 100cm.
- The distance between the floor and the highest table is 107cm.
- The standard height for tables is 107cm.
- Takeaway cups are available.
- Takeaway cutlery is available.
- Drinking straws are available.
- There are wall menus available.
- Menus are not available in Braille.
- Menus are not available in large print.
- Picture menus are not available.
- Menus are clearly written.
- Menus are presented in contrasting colours.
- The type of food served here is sandwiches, wraps, seafood platters and snacks.
- The lighting levels are good.
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Comments
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- The lowered section of the service counter is 79cm high.
Counter (Betting Counter - The Princess Royal Seating and Gallery)
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Counter
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- The counter is located opposite the Sundew - Champagne & Seafood service counter.
- The counter is clearly visible from the entrance.
- There is step-free access to the counter.
- There is a clear unobstructed route to the counter.
- There are no windows, TVs, glazed screens or mirrors behind the counter which could adversely affect the ability of someone to lip read.
- The counter is placed in front of a plain background.
- The lighting levels at the counter are good.
- There is sufficient space to write or sign documents on the counter.
- There is not a lowered section of the counter.
- The counter is staffed.
- There is not a hearing assistance system at the counter.
- The type of flooring in this area is carpet.
Designated Seating Area(s) (Princess Royal Stand First Floor - Designated Wheelchair Spaces)
- The name of the designated seating area is Princess Royal Stand - Designated Wheelchair Spaces.
- There is step-free access to the designated seating area.
- The designated seating area(s) is/are clearly signed.
- The view from the seating area is restricted.
- Companions sit next to the patron.
- There is sufficient space for an assistance dog to rest.
- There is a dedicated steward to provide assistance.
- There is an accessible toilet close to the seating area.
Princess Royal Stand First Floor - Trackside Seating
- There is step free access to the trackside seating via double doors from the first floor of the Princess Royal Stand.
- There are 15+ clearly marked steps leading up to the seating from the trackside.
- The steps have handrails on both sides.
- There are 1 to 10 steps leading from the rear to the front of the seating.
Toilet with Adaptations (First Floor Lobby)
- There is an/are accessible toilet(s) for public use.
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Location and Access
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- The accessible toilet surveyed is for the sole use of disabled people.
- This accessible toilet is located on the first floor lobby area of The Princess Royal Stand.
- This accessible toilet is approximately 7m (7yd 1ft) from the lift.
- There is step-free access into the accessible toilet.
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Features and Dimensions
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- This is a shared toilet.
- A key is required for the accessible toilet.
- The key is a radar key.
- The key can be obtained from a steward.
- There is Braille, tactile and pictorial signage on or near the toilet door.
- The door opens outwards.
- The door is light.
- The door is locked by a locking handle.
- The width of the accessible toilet door is 88cm.
- The door has a horizontal grab rail.
- The dimensions of the accessible toilet are 150cm x 194cm (4ft 11in x 6ft 4in).
- The accessible toilet does not have an unobstructed minimum turning space of 150cm x 150cm.
- The toilet has a non-slip floor.
- There is a lateral transfer space.
- As you face the toilet pan the transfer space is on the right.
- The lateral transfer space is 75cm.
- There is a flush on the transfer side.
- There is not a spatula type lever flush.
- There is a dropdown rail on the transfer side.
- There is an emergency alarm.
- The emergency pull cord alarm is fully functional.
- There is not a flashing fire alarm beacon within the toilet.
- Disposal facilities are available in the toilet.
- There is a/are non-infectious waste and female sanitary disposal units.
- There is a/are coat hook(s).
- The height of the coat hook is 151cm from the floor.
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Position of Fixtures
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- There is a/are wall-mounted grab rail(s) available.
- As you face the toilet the wall-mounted grab rail(s) is/are on both sides.
- There is a vertical wall-mounted grab rail on the transfer side.
- There is a horizontal wall-mounted grab rail on the opposite side of the seat to the transfer space.
- There is a mirror.
- The mirror is not placed at a lower level or at an angle for ease of use.
- There is not a shelf next to the toilet.
- The toilet has a cistern.
- The height of the toilet seat above floor level is 48cm (1ft 7in).
- There is a toilet roll holder.
- The toilet roll holder can be reached from seated on the toilet.
- The toilet roll holder is placed higher than 100cm (3ft 3in).
- The height of the toilet roll holder is 107cm (3ft 6in).
- There is a wash basin.
- The wash basin cannot be reached from seated on the toilet.
- The wash basin is not placed higher than 74cm (2ft 5in).
- There is a vertical wall-mounted grab rail on the right hand side of the wash basin.
- The wash basin tap type is lever.
- There is a mixer tap.
- Taps have clear markings to indicate hot and cold settings.
- There is a soap dispenser.
- The soap dispenser cannot be reached from seated on the toilet.
- The height of the soap dispenser is 92cm.
- There is not a towel dispenser.
- There is a hand dryer.
- The hand dryer cannot be reached from seated on the toilet.
- The hand dryer is not placed higher than 100cm (3ft 3in).
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Colour Contrast and Lighting
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- The contrast between the external door and wall is high.
- The contrast between the internal door and wall is high.
- The contrast between the dropdown rail(s) and wall is low.
- The contrast between the wall-mounted grab rail(s) and wall is low.
- The toilet seat colour contrast is low.
- The contrast between the walls and floor is medium.
- The lighting levels are good.
Standard Toilet(s) (First Floor Lobby)
- Standard toilet facilities are available.
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Access to Standard Female Toilet(s)
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- The female toilet facilities that were surveyed are located on the first floor lobby area of The Princess Royal Stand.
- The female toilet(s) is/are approximately 8m (8yd 2ft) from the lift.
- There is step-free access into the female toilet(s).
- There is Braille, tactile and pictorial signage on or near the toilet door.
- An ambulant toilet with wall-mounted grab rails is not available.
- The wash basin(s) tap type is push.
- There is not a flashing fire alarm beacon within the toilets.
- Lighting levels are good.
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Access to Standard Male Toilet(s)
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- The male toilet facilities that were surveyed are located on the first floor lobby area of The Princess Royal Stand.
- The male toilet(s) is/are approximately 6m (6yd 1ft) from the lift.
- There is step-free access into the male toilet(s).
- There is Braille, tactile and pictorial signage on or near the toilet door.
- An ambulant toilet with wall-mounted grab rails is not available.
- The wash basin(s) tap type is push.
- There is not a flashing fire alarm beacon within the toilets.
- Lighting levels are good.
Related Access Guides
- To view other AccessAble Detailed Access Guides that are related to this one please use the links below.
- Getting around Aintree Racecourse link (new tab) - click here
- Betting Counters around the Racecourse link (new tab) - click here
- Princess Royal Stand - Ground Floor - Reception link (new tab) - click here