Where exactly is Silverstone?

Located on an old airfield in Northamptonshire in the East Midlands, Silverstone Circuit is easily accessible from a number of major UK cities and towns. 

It’s about 90 minutes north of Central London and 60 minutes south of Birmingham. It’s also under an hour's drive to Oxford, Northampton, Bedford, Rugby and Coventry. 

We cover train stations later in this journal if you’d rather go car-free for the day or the weekend. 

Of course if you prefer to take to the air, Silverstone does have a heliport, and during the British Grand Prix actually becomes the busiest airspace in the world for one weekend only! 

Where to stay at the British Grand Prix? 

There are a few options when staying at Silverstone depending on what you’re looking for. 

If you’re looking for a high-end, trackside exclusive experience, Escapade Silverstone is the newest offering. Of course we’re biased, but if you’re looking for world-class facilities, delicious food and drink, state-of-the-art accommodation and the opportunity to see almost 80% of the F1 track at once, you’ll love Escapade. Located on the Maggots, Becketts and Copse corners, Escapade allows visitors (and owners) to see some of the best corners in Formula One, either from your balcony or from the clubhouse. 

Whether you want to start your day with a swim alongside the track and a relaxing sauna, or work up a sweat in the driver-focused gym followed by a sports massage, it’s up to you. Upstairs at the clubhouse you’ll find food and drink by Head Chef Adam Bateman and his team, or head up to the roof terrace for an open-air viewing experience. It’s everything you would expect from an Escapade hotel - and more. 

For more information and how to book, visit the Escapade Silverstone booking site here. 

If you’re staying all weekend and you’re a fan of the great outdoors, camping at Silverstone is a great option, especially if you’re going alone. Most people get there on Wednesday and leave on Monday morning, meaning a full five days of fresh air, community and drinks round the BBQ. 

There are (of course) other hotels on and off track if camping is not your thing!  

Can I bring my own food and drink?

Yes. In fact, compared to many other locations, Silverstone is very generous with what you can and can’t bring in. You’re allowed to bring food and drink for personal use (including alcohol), and as long as it’s not in glass you’re good to go! If you’re camping there is also a small shop onsite if you’ve forgotten anything. 

You can find a selection of hot and cold food around the circuit if you do want to travel light. For Escapade visitors and owners, you can watch all the on-track action whilst enjoying delicious food and top notch drinks. 

Just a reminder that there are free water taps around the track so bring an empty water bottle to stay hydrated. 

Where can I park?

If you want to bring your car to Silverstone there are a couple of options for parking. The two official F1 parking sites have either a free shuttle or 20 minute walk depending on your selection. There are of course several non-official car parking allocations in and around the local villages if you’re up for a walk. 

Escapade Silverstone guests can enjoy free parking located behind Beckett’s Grandstand or at their respective properties.

What’s the nearest train station? 

The great thing about Silverstone is that it’s located between a few different train stations. Milton Keynes, Northampton and Banbury stations offer a Stagecoach bus service departing from 6am and costing between £5-16 for an adult day return (depending on the day). 

What should I bring?

First and foremost - your team merch. If you support a team or driver now is the time to wear that kit with pride. When drivers arrive, especially on Thursday morning, you can often queue in the fanzone to meet and greet and maybe even get something signed. 

Outside of team merch, Silverstone is an old air field, which means it can be windy. Being Britain, the weather can change rather quickly so be prepared. 

Unless you’re in a grandstand, you won’t really be able to find shade, so suncream is a must (we’ve seen many red faces). Equally, a lightweight raincoat and jumper and sunglasses mean you’re ready for all eventualities. Just a reminder you can’t bring an umbrella! 

If you don’t have Grandstand seats, a folding camping chair is a must to a) reserve your spot whilst you roam and b) if the ground is wet you’ll be comfy and dry. Another weird but useful gadget is a portable charger, especially if you like to take a lot of videos! 

Anything else I need to know?

Make time for the entertainment at Silverstone. Regardless of the type of ticket you have, you’ll be able to enjoy a whole host of live music. From Thursday to Sunday you’ll find some incredible headliners. Previous years have included Calvin Harris, The Black Eyed Peas, Tom Grennan, Bastille, Sigala and more. 

The Mahiki afterparties are also a huge hit with Silverstone guests. You will need to get a separate ticket but it’s definitely worth going to one across the weekend. They run from the early evening right through to 1am and have some exceptional DJs in a tiki-themed setting. Prices start at £50 per person or you can get tables from £200 per person. 

Finally - enjoy yourself! You’ll never forget your first British Grand Prix, so take lots of videos, soak up the atmosphere and have the best time. Don’t worry if you’re going on your own, motorsport fans are notoriously friendly - even if you go on your own you’re sure to come back with friends for the next season and beyond!