2023 British Grand Prix – Getting Around Guide

The lowdown on getting to the 2023 British Grand Prix on 6-9 July, including useful information about travelling to Silverstone, where to stay and what to see to make the most of the race weekend. 

Practical Information

• Visas: American, Canadian and Australian nationals, as well as those from the EU and Switzerland, should NOT need a visa to visit the UK as a tourist. All travelers should check UK immigration rules, as a short-stay visa may be required. Find out if you need a visa to visit the UK, as well as details on how to apply, here.
• Currency: Pound Sterling, GBP. ATMs are widely available and credit cards are accepted almost everywhere.
• Language: English
• Time Zone: British Summer Time (BST), which is equivalent to UTC +1
• In an Emergency: Dial 999
• Power Sockets: Britain uses Type G power sockets, which are different from those in continental Europe. Don't forget to pack your universal adapter.
• Weather: The race falls in mid-summer, when temperatures average a high of 22°C (72°F) and a low of 13°C (55°F). The weather at Silverstone can be hot and sunny, but cooler temperatures and rain are never too far away, so pack accordingly. 

Arrival & Getting Around

Flights to Great Britain

London is served by five airports, all of which are worth considering flying into for the British Grand Prix. Birmingham Airport is also near Silverstone and has a good selection of flights:

• London Luton Airport (LTN): The closest airport to Silverstone is a major hub for European discount carriers easyJet, Ryanair and Wizz Air.
• Birmingham Airport (BHX): A hub for discount flights to Europe, Birmingham also has direct flights to Istanbul, Dubai and Doha.
• London Heathrow Airport (LHR): The UK’s largest airport has regular flights to all corners of the world with British Airways and other flag-carrying airlines.
• Gatwick Airport (LGW): in addition to British Airways, Gatwick also serves as a major hub for easyJet and Norwegian Air Shuttle. Gatwick is also a good choice for transatlantic flights.
• London Stansted Airport (STN): A major hub for Ryanair, Stansted serves over 170 destinations in Europe and further afield, but has a poor reputation for overcrowding and flight delays.
• London City Airport (LCY): London’s smallest airport has a limited number of short-haul flights to European capitals.

Where to stay near Silverstone Circuit

Trackside camping is hugely popular at the British Grand Prix, with several large campsites such as Woodlands situated within walking distance of the circuit. Nearby towns have a limited supply of hotel beds which can be difficult to secure, so you might look to stay in one of the larger cities in the region - Milton Keynes and Northampton are among the most popular. Staying in London is not out of the question but getting to and for the circuit can take more than 2 hours each way. F1® Experiences offers a 4-night stay at several local hotels to make planning your trip seamless. 

How to get to Silverstone for the British Grand Prix

Silverstone is approximately 100km (60mi) northwest of London, in the direction of Birmingham. The circuit’s rural location makes trackside camping popular with fans. Alternatively, there’s plenty of accommodation in larger nearby towns such as Milton Keynes and Northampton. Here are the best ways to get to the circuit:

F1® Experiences

For guests that have booked their hotel with F1® Experiences, daily coach transfers to and from Silverstone can be added to your Official Ticket Package for an additional cost.

Hire A Car

The traffic organization near Silverstone has improved significantly in recent years, but you can still expect significant congestion on race weekend. Traffic notwithstanding, Silverstone is around 90 minutes drive north of London and 60 minutes south of Birmingham. The circuit is accessed via the A43 dual-lane road from either the M40 or M1 motorways. Don’t forget that you’ll need to purchase trackside parking in advance.

Public Transportation

The closest train stations to the circuit are in Wolverton,  Banbury, Milton Keynes and Northampton. From London, the fastest trains depart from Euston Station. Check fares and book tickets on National Rail or Virgin Trains. Shuttle buses organized by Stagecoach are available from Milton Keynes to Silverstone from Friday to Sunday. Learn more here. Additionally, Megabus and National Express both offer bus connections from major cities across the UK to Silverstone on British Grand Prix weekend.

Things to do & see near Silverstone

• Blenheim Palace: One of England's finest country houses, the 300-year-old Blenheim Palace is just 25 miles from Silverstone. The birthplace of Winston Churchill is open every day and you can book tickets to visit the palace, park and gardens. 
• British Motor Museum: A 40-minute drive from the circuit in the direction of Birmingham, the British Motor Museum houses a huge collection of British cars, including famous marques like Rolls Royce, Aston Martin and Jaguar.
• Bletchley Park: This 19th-century mansion and estate near Milton Keynes, just 20 miles from Silverstone, housed a team of top-secret codebreakers who broke the Nazi enigma code during World War II.
• Bicester Village: Just 15 miles from Silverstone, Bicester Village is one of the UK's leading discount shopping outlets and is especially good for designer brands. 
• XScape Milton Keynes: This huge entertainment complex in Milton Keynes has cinemas, ten-pin bowling, a trampoline park, an amusement arcade, an indoor ski slope, a casino, a nightclub and more.