Grand National
London Victoria → Aintree → London Victoria
The Belmond British Pullman's Grand National journey is one of Britain's most coveted single-day rail experiences — a seamless fusion of vintage glamour and world-class sport that unfolds across some 500 miles of round-trip travel between London and Liverpool. Departing London Euston in the early morning aboard lavishly restored Art Deco Pullman carriages, guests are transported north through the English countryside in extraordinary style, arriving in Liverpool in time for coach transfers directly to Aintree Racecourse and the thunderous spectacle of the Grand National steeplechase.
The journey is structured as a complete day of indulgence: a sparkling Bellini cocktail and elegantly presented brunch on the outward leg give way to an afternoon of exhilarating racing from a reserved seat in the Princess Royal Stand, before the train whisks guests back to London over a celebratory five-course dinner with champagne and wine. There is no more civilised or memorable way to attend the world's greatest horse race.
The British Pullman itself is a living legend — a rake of individually named carriages dating from the 1920s to 1950s, some of which once graced the Brighton Belle and the Golden Arrow, and whose marquetry panels, brass fittings, and plush upholstery have been painstakingly restored to their original splendour. The Grand National itinerary adds a singular destination to this timeless setting, making it a highlight of the British racing calendar for those who appreciate beauty, history, and sport in equal measure.
- ✦Sparkling Bellini brunch served at table in restored Art Deco Pullman carriages
- ✦Reserved seating in the prestigious Princess Royal Stand at Aintree
- ✦Coach transfers between Liverpool and Aintree Racecourse included
- ✦Ringside views of Becher's Brook, The Chair, and all Grand National fences
- ✦Five-course champagne dinner on the return journey to London
- ✦Race admission and all on-board meals and drinks included
- ✦One of Britain's most sought-after sporting day trips by luxury train
Day-by-Day Itinerary
Day 1 — London to Aintree and Back
Morning departure from London Euston (approx. 07:20): Guests board the Belmond British Pullman at London Euston, where stewards are on hand to escort passengers to their individually named Pullman cars. As the train pulls out of the capital and the English Midlands and North open up beyond the windows, a sparkling Bellini cocktail (or non-alcoholic alternative) is presented as a welcome. A leisurely three-course brunch is then served at the table — a proper Pullman breakfast of seasonal British produce, accompanied by morning tea and coffee — as the train makes its way northward through Cheshire and into Merseyside.
Arrival at Liverpool and transfer to Aintree (approx. 11:25): The train arrives at Liverpool South Parkway, where private coaches are waiting to transport guests directly to Aintree Racecourse. The short transfer takes guests straight to the racecourse for the Grand National Festival, the most celebrated steeplechase meeting in the world. Guests' reserved seat badges admit them to the prestigious Princess Royal Stand, situated between the Chair fence and the Water Jump, with superb views over the finishing straight and direct access to the Stand's own private bar.
Afternoon at Aintree Racecourse: The Grand National Festival is a three-day event culminating in the Grand National itself — a race over 4 miles 514 yards and 16 uniquely challenging fences, with up to 40 horses competing. Guests have full freedom to explore the enclosures, place bets, and soak up the electric atmosphere of one of Britain's most celebrated sporting occasions. The famous fences — Becher's Brook, The Chair, Valentine's Brook, and the Canal Turn — have defined the careers of legendary horses including Red Rum, three-time winner in the 1970s. The Princess Royal Stand provides an ideal vantage point from which to watch every race of the afternoon's card.
Return coaches to Liverpool (departure approx. 18:45): As the final race concludes, coaches return guests from Aintree Racecourse to Liverpool, where the British Pullman awaits. A glass of chilled champagne is served as guests reboard the train and settle back into the warmth and comfort of their Pullman cars for the journey south.
Dinner and return to London (arriving approx. 23:35): The return journey is the occasion for a spectacular five-course seasonal dinner, prepared in the train's galley kitchen and served with ceremony at the table. The menu follows a Great British table d'hôte approach with seasonal produce, accompanied by a half-bottle of wine per person. A cheeseboard with biscuits and chutneys follows the main course, and the evening concludes with tea, coffee, and petit fours as the train glides back into London Euston.
Destinations & Highlights
Aintree Racecourse, Liverpool
Aintree Racecourse, situated in the Merseyside suburb of Aintree on the northern outskirts of Liverpool, is one of the most celebrated sporting venues in the world. Founded in 1829 by William Lynn, who leased land from the Second Earl of Sefton, the course hosted its first Grand National steeplechase in 1839 — an event that has grown into the most watched horse race on the planet. Each April the Grand National Festival draws tens of thousands of spectators and a global television audience of hundreds of millions to watch up to 40 horses tackle the course's extraordinary 4-mile-514-yard circuit.
The racecourse is defined by its unique fences, each with its own history and character. Becher's Brook, the sixth and twenty-second fence, takes its name from Captain Martin Becher, who fell here at the inaugural race in 1839 and sheltered in the brook as the field thundered past. The Chair, at 5 feet 2 inches, is the tallest fence on the course, tackled only once per circuit. Valentine's Brook and the sharply angled Canal Turn demand both bravery and precision from horse and rider alike. All fences except the water jump are dressed with fresh spruce, a tradition unique to Aintree among British National Hunt courses. Red Rum, who won in 1973, 1974, and 1977, remains the race's greatest legend; a statue outside the weighing room commemorates his extraordinary record.
The Princess Royal Stand, opened in 1998 and named in honour of HRH The Princess Royal, is among the finest vantage points at the course, positioned between the Chair and the Water Jump with commanding views over the home straight. British Pullman guests are allocated reserved seats within this prestige enclosure, with access to its private bar and facilities.
Liverpool
Liverpool is one of Britain's most culturally rich and historically significant cities. A UNESCO World Heritage Site (for its maritime mercantile city centre), it grew to global prominence as a major Atlantic port and the gateway to the British Empire. Today Liverpool is celebrated for its extraordinary musical heritage — birthplace of The Beatles — its two celebrated football clubs, its remarkable collection of neoclassical and Victorian architecture along the waterfront, and the warmth of its people. The journey to Liverpool on the British Pullman, though focused on the racecourse, gives guests a flavour of the North West of England's dramatic landscapes en route, passing through the Cheshire Plain and the industrial heartlands of Merseyside.