Market town where Grand National crowds and racehorse owners gravitate
"It keeps getting busier but it's a good time and something we look forward to every year"
A quaint market town in West Lancashire has established itself as a second home for Grand National regulars, with racehorse owners and sporting legends gravitating towards it. With the most famous steeplechase in the world set to take place at Aintree Racecourse this Saturday, the ECHO spent a day in Ormskirk to find out why the town has such strong links with the Grand National.
Located less than a 30 minute drive from Aintree Racecourse, and just six stops away on the Merseyrail, Ormskirk is a natural destination for racegoers and racehorse owners who are attending the Grand National, or other meetings at Aintree. Visitors who may be looking to escape to a quieter base after a day at the races often find Ormskirk to be the perfect answer.
And with a wealth of pubs, bars, restaurants and a food hall to enjoy, the town has plenty on offer when it comes to welcoming visitors. It's not just temporary visitors who are taken in by the town during big race meetings - some have even decided to put down roots in Ormskirk after falling in love with it through their associations with racing. Racehorse trainer Christopher Kellett, who swapped his previous home in Cheshire for the quiet town. Mr Kellet has been training racehorses since 1999 and had 59 winners.
One venue that will be buzzing this weekend is The Buck Ith Vine, the oldest pub in Ormskirk which dates back to the 17th century. Although the venue usually caters to the town's student population, staff member Emma Kavanagh said she is feeling ready for a big weekend around the races.
She told the ECHO: "We get a lot of really mellowed out customers. We're on a first name basis with them all which is nice. We don't get much of an older crowd but we're always busy.
"We get such a lively crowd I wouldn't be surprised if we're full. It's always really good vibes and just a nice place to hang out."
A newer arrival to the town is Cattle Steakhouse, which opened in January. The restaurant is spearheaded by Portuguese father and son team Marcos Leo, 43, Carlos Lobo, 27, who have high hopes for the racing weekend.
Marcos told the ECHO: "We've only been open for a little time but it's been great so far. People have come in and supported us, which is a really great feeling.
"Everything is locally sourced, fresh and homemade. I've spent all my life working in hospitality and hotels so having this, my own restaurant, has been really amazing. We're over the moon with all the support we've received. We're over the moon."
A small bar named Tiny Tavern can be found further down the street. If that name sounds familiar, it's because a sister site exists just a stone's throw away from Aintree Racecourse on Walton Vale.
This cosy venue provides coffee and snacks during the day, before making way for a host of larger-than-life customers who fill the floor throughout the night.
Next up on the town crawl is a chippy that's never short of customers. Barrie's Plaice is one of the village's oldest businesses, standing strong since 1904. Many will know the venue by its previous name, Stafford's Fish and Chips, before it became Barrie's Plaice in 2022.
The spot is popular, especially during lunch time, with a steady stream of customers coming through the doors during my brief visit. Barrie's Plaice always sees increased footfall during the Grand Nation with customers "flooding through" in the evenings after the races.
Staff member Owen told the ECHO: "You definitely notice it. It's always a busy weekend but it's enjoyable. You're kept busy without the rush becoming too much."
On the regulars, he added: "You get to know people who come in all the time. It's always the same faces so you start to know everyone. [The Grand National weekend] is different because you're so busy and there's people just coming through but it's good."
When you're full up with fish and chips, across the way is Tap Room No 12 for a quick drink. The pub is a traditional community hub, despite only having opened in 2017. Barmaid Kelly Beckett told the ECHO: "We got lots of passing trade but it's our regulars who keep us busy.
"It's just a nice traditional pub. There's not a lot of bells and whistles so people know what they're coming here for. Pre-Covid we used to get a lot of customers for the Grand National but it's quieter now. That being said, we're still very busy over the weekend but it's more of the locals."
Ormskirk boasts plenty of pubs and restaurants, including Django's Bar & Grill, a barbecue restaurant, and Cobble Coffee, a charming little café. A disappearing staple of many high streets is the family butchers, but Ormskirk's is thriving.
Georgina Venable, 33, works in Farrell's Meat Emporium - a grand title for such a humble business. Georgina told the ECHO: "We opened this shop in November but we have another in Owd Barn on Rufford Road. We get so many different people I couldn't describe just one type of person. I've always been surprised at how many young people and students come in."
Close to the butchers, visitors to Ormskirk will find a serene little shop named Bloom & Brew. Charlotte Brannan, 31, is the owner of this speciality coffee shop offering lunchtime snacks, a place to relax, and a wide variety of unique and independently crafted items. Inside the store, you can shop everything from prints and candles to personal care items and homeware.
Charlotte told the ECHO: "We've been open for four years. The shop is entirely made from independent designers and brands and we like to focus on specialty coffees.
"I wanted to create a coffee community of like minded people who like to support small businesses. We're eco-friendly, sustainable and we're pretty much like friends with customers rather than strangers. Because the village is so small, it's a nice community to have."
Continuing a stroll through the town, visitors will arrive at The Queen's Head, a lively pub and place to be during the Grand National. The venue will have the race playing on multiple screens with bargain drinks prices.
Landlord Ian Woosnam, 55, told the ECHO: "The atmosphere in here is crazy. We're good all year around but during the Grand National it's something else.
"Every year feels busier than the last. Because Ormskirk is like a halfway point for people from Lancashire travelling to Liverpool, we get a lot of people stopping. It keeps getting busier but it's a good time and something we look forward to every year."