Silverstone is probably the centre of motorsport in the UK. The home of Formula 1’s British Grand Prix is iconic, not just in Britain but across the world, and the race is one of the highlights of the FIA Formula 1 World Championships. From F1 to MotoGP, classic cars to endurance races, if it’s fast and has wheels, you’ll probably find it at Silverstone. Use our handy guide to work out the best way to get to the circuit on racedays.
How to get to Silverstone on race days
We look at the best ways to get to the legendary Silverstone circuit by all modes of transport and advise how to find parking and avoid missing the action by getting stuck in traffic.
How to get there by car
Silverstone is about 90 minutes from London by car, about an hour from Birmingham, and half an hour from Milton Keynes and Northampton. If you’re staying at our Mercure in Daventry, it’s also about a half an hour drive. The A43 links the circuit to both the M1 and the M40.
On racedays, especially the Formula 1 British Grand Prix, traffic can be exceptionally heavy on the roads around the circuit. There are park and ride locations at both the M1 and the M40 with a shuttle service to the track. This is bookable in advance and can make life much easier than parking at the circuit.
In the region of 150,000 fans flock to Silverstone on the day of the F1 British Grand Prix, so it won’t come as a surprise that it can be difficult to find parking. If the weather is bad, some parking areas located in fields can get flooded, meaning cars get stuck or parking is restricted even further. Things have improved in recent years with the addition of extra car parks. That said, if you’re attending on the Friday, Saturday or Sunday of the British Grand Prix weekend, you must book parking in advance or have registered at one of the park and ride locations. The organisers advise using the park and ride service rather than parking at the circuit as it eases both the demand on the circuit’s parking and also the traffic on local roads.
If you’re travelling to the circuit by car for a major event, make sure to allow a lot of extra time as traffic will definitely be heavy.
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How to get there by train
There aren’t any stations within walking distance of the circuit. The closest station to Silverstone is Wolverton (about ten miles away), which has direct trains from London Euston, Birmingham New Street and Northampton, but you would need to arrange your own transport from there. The next nearest stations are Banbury, Milton Keynes and Northampton, which are all around 30 minutes from Silverstone. There are shuttle services from Milton Keynes and Northampton during busy race weekends, especially the British Grand Prix. Direct trains run from most major cities in the UK to Northampton and Milton Keynes.
How to get there by bus
How to get there by helicopter
Yes, helicopter! It may be expensive but it’s one way of making sure that you beat the traffic on the country roads around Silverstone. If you’re planning on arriving at the circuit in style, it’s hard to beat. Silverstone Helicopters are the circuit’s official partners and also offer flying experiences outside of race weekends.
For somewhere to stay and relax that is near the circuit and has an onsite spa, try our Daventry Court hotel.
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