Castle Combe - Getting There

With most people having satnav, there’s little to be gained from various detailed directions. It is the final few miles where a little advise can be an aid to confidence.

Directions

The following sets of directions will take you to the main entrance from different start points. For other entrances, use the next section to modify your final approach.

From the North East

Starting from Malmsesbury on the A429, head South towards the M4.
The satnav may guide you into a right turn, a short distance before a railway bridge. This is not advised as it is a narrow road.
Cross the M4 motorway, taking the third exit onto the A350.
Again, the satnav may guide you into a right turn, this time at a set of traffic lights, with a third lane for that right turn. Again, this is not advised as a left turn will soon be required into another narrow road.
At the roundabout, take the fourth exit onto Bristol Road, signposted the A420 and Castle Combe.
As the road widens into two lanes, take the right lane and turn right onto the B4039. This is also signposted for Castle Combe Racing Circuit.
Arrive at Castle Combe, on the left.

From the M4 East

We are starting from the M4, East of Castle Combe.
Exit at Junction 17, Signposted A350 and A429.Take the first exit onto the A350.
The satnav may guide you into a right turn at a set of traffic lights, with a third lane for that right turn. This is not advised as a left turn will soon be required into another narrow road.
At the roundabout, take the fourth exit onto Bristol Road, signposted the A420 and Castle Combe.
As the road widens into two lanes, take the right lane and turn right onto the B4039. This is also signposted for Castle Combe Racing Circuit.
Arrive at Castle Combe, on the left.

From the South East

There are two start points for this guide. The first is where, from Salisbury, your sat nav has taken you along the A36 and then up the A305.
The second start point is where, again from Salisbury, your sat nav directed you via the A360. This road crosses theA361 as a staggered junction (left, then right), which leads onto the A342. On entering Chippenham, the A-road and later restarts as the A420.
Both routes merge here. From the A350, take the first exit, whilst from the A420 you take the second exit, Bristol Road. Either way, it is signposted A420 and Castle Combe.
As the road widens into two lanes, take the right lane and turn right onto the B4039. This is also signposted for Castle Combe Racing Circuit.
Arrive at Castle Combe, on the left.

From the South

We are starting from the of Bath. This road is narrow in sections, but should be suitable with appropriate care. Alternatively, consider the A46.
At the tee-junction, turn right onto the A420.
Your satnav may guide you into a left turn. This is not advised, as it is a narrow road.
Turn left, signposted the B4039 and Castle Combe Racing Circuit.
Arrive at Castle Combe, on the left.

From the M4 West

We are starting from the M4, West of Castle Combe.
Exit at Junction 17, Signposted A46 Bath and Stroud. Also signposted to Castle Combe.
Turn right, signposted Tormarton. This leads into a long, reasonably straight road.
There are no major conurbations along the way and so I’m not sure why there was no signpost for the circuit. Instead, you will be signposted along the orange route and pass through Old Sodbury before being guided right at a crossroad, onto the B4040. That road has some slow corners, but is still reasonable, and leads into Acton Turville, turning into the B4039 as it merges into the chosen route (next step).
Turn right, signposted B4039. It is also signposted for Castle Combe. Cross over the M4 motorway, then bear left and right.
The road bears sharp left, as warned by a sharp deviation sign.
Arrive at Castle Combe, on the left.

From the M5 North

Pretty much the same as the previous directions, but it is important to have this separate section in order to reinforce the fact that, despite taking a little more time, if you are towing or driving a heavy vehicle, then this is the more sensible route.

The satnav will more than likely take you off the M5 at Junction 13. That will lead to some steep hills, one section descending to a tight roundabout, allowing a minimum run up the following incline.

We are starting from the M5, West of the M5.
Exit at Junction 15, Signposted M4(E) and London.
Now on the M4, exit at Junction 17, Signposted A46 Bath and Stroud. Also signposted to Castle Combe.
Turn right, signposted Tormarton. This leads into a long, reasonably straight road.
There are no major conurbations along the way and so I’m not sure why there was no signpost for the circuit. Instead, you will be signposted along the orange route and pass through Old Sodbury before being guided right at a crossroad, onto the B4040. That road has some slow corners, but is still reasonable, and leads into Acton Turville, turning into the B4039 as it merges into the chosen route (next step).
Turn right, signposted B4039. It is also signposted for Castle Combe. Cross over the M4 motorway, then bear left and right.
The road bears sharp left, as warned by a sharp deviation sign.
Arrive at Castle Combe, on the left.

Entrance Gates

Each gate is subject to a colour code and not all gates are open for every meeting.

The Yellow Gate is listed for completion, although it is no longer in use.

The Blue Gate is for competitor access only, into the paddocks.

Below is a guide to access to each paddock. The first part will start when travelling south, from the B4039 where it turns to the left. Instead, we will go straight on, passing the Red, Purple and Orange gates. We will then turn back and head for the Blue competition gate and finish at the Green gate.

For drivers arriving from the other direction, we will start the tour on the B4039 travelling westwards, from shortly after Tiddleywink (I had to use that village name). Here, we will pass each gate, starting with Green and passing by Blue, Red, Purple and, finally, Orange.

Start When Travelling South, Along B4039

	Travelling south along the B4039, one comes to this bend in the road with a Sharp Deviation sign. For the Blue and Green gates, stay on the road as it turns to the left. For the Red, Purple and Orange gates, take the side road on the right.
	The Red, Purple and Orange gates are all along this road.
	Turn in here for the Red and Purple gates. Continue on for the Orange gate.
	This entrance to Castle Combe includes the Red gate, ahead, and the Purple gate, to the right. Going straight on, through the Red gate leads you into the paddock, which can be seen ahead.
	Turning right leads you towards the Purple gate, which provides parking around Camp Corner.
	The approach to the Purple gate, which provides parking around Camp Corner. The building on the left includes the marshal’s signing on office. The pay booth is straight on.
	Just on the other side of the pay booth, parking begins. To the left, by the sign, are steps leading up to views overlooking Camp Corner.
	At the top of the steps is this view overlooking Camp Corner. Food and refreshments are often available, while the pedestrian bridge leads into the paddock.
	Returning to the entrance and continuing onwards towards the Orange gate. The road is narrow, but passable.
	The entrance to Castle Combe via the Purple gate. This area overlooks, to the left, Old Paddock Bend. To the right stretches from The Esses down to Tower and beyond.
	The Orange gate is not always open, as here.
	Returning to the B4039 and continuing on, you will pass this garage on the right….
	… and then arrive at the Blue gates, also on the right. This provides competitor access to the paddocks.
	Entrance to Castle Combe. The is a small paddock to the left with a larger area paddock to the right. Straight ahead leads to the paddock area alongside the pit.
	On entering Castle Combe via the Blue gate, turn left for the small paddock.
	On entering Castle Combe via the Blue gate, go straight on for the paddock area alongside the pit.
	On entering Castle Combe via the Blue gate, turn right for the main paddock area.
	Passing by the Blue gates and continuing on for a short distance, one arrives at the Green gate, the final gate in this direction. The entrance can be seen on the right.
	This leads onto a large parking area and so arrivals are split into lanes for card payment, cash payment and ticket holders.
	The pay booth is straight on. Beyond that is parking to both the left and right.
	Entrance on the left to a large field for parking.
	Entrance on the right to another large field for parking. Note the cones on the left, set aside for disabled parking.
	Further into the car park are these access steps, leading up to Avon Rise Quarry Corner. There, food and drink is usually available during race meetings.

Start When Travelling West, Along B4039

	The entrance can be seen on the left.
	This leads onto a large parking area and so arrivals are split into lanes for card payment, cash payment and ticket holders.
	The pay booth is straight on. Beyond that is parking to both the left and right.
	Entrance on the left to a large field for parking.
	Entrance on the right to another large field for parking. Note the cones on the left, set aside for disabled parking.
	Further into the car park are these access steps, leading up to Avon Rise Quarry Corner. There, food and drink is usually available during race meetings.
	Passing by the Green gates and continuing on for a short distance, one arrives at the Blue gate. This provides competitor access to the paddocks.
	Entrance to Castle Combe, via the Blue gates. The security office can be seen to the right of the entrance.
	Entrance to Castle Combe. The is a small paddock to the left with a larger area paddock to the right. Straight ahead leads to the paddock area alongside the pit.
	On entering Castle Combe via the Blue gate, turn left for the small paddock.
	On entering Castle Combe via the Blue gate, go straight on for the paddock area alongside the pit.
	On entering Castle Combe via the Blue gate, turn right for the main paddock area.
	Returning to the B4039 and continuing on, you will pass this garage on the left….
	… and the arrive at this bend to the right. Instead, turn left for access to the Red, Purple and Orange gates. Note the Sharp Deviation sign.
	The Red, Purple and Orange gates are all along this road.
	Turn in here for the Red and Purple gates. Continue on for the Orange gate.
	This entrance to Castle Combe includes the Red gate, ahead, and the Purple gate, to the right. Going straight on, through the Red gate leads you into the paddock, which can be seen ahead.
	Turning right leads you towards the Purple gate, which provides parking around Camp Corner.
	The approach to the Purple gate, which provides parking around Camp Corner. The building on the left includes the marshal’s signing on office. The pay booth is straight on.
	Just on the other side of the pay booth, parking begins. To the left, by the sign, are steps leading up to views overlooking Camp Corner.
	At the top of the steps is this view overlooking Camp Corner. Food and refreshments are often available, while the pedestrian bridge leads into the paddock.
	Returning to the entrance and continuing onwards towards the Orange gate. The road is narrow, but passable.
	The entrance to Castle Combe via the Purple gate. This area overlooks, to the left, Old Paddock Bend. To the right stretches from The Esses down to Tower and beyond.
	The Orange gate is not always open, as here.

SatNav

Entering the post code into my satnav usually gets me there, but not always, so I also include GPS coordinates. What3Words are also an increasingly useful addition. I try to find a w3w location with at least one word that is related to motor racing; I also try to find short words.

I have also provided coordinates and What3Words for a position within the paddock. This could be useful as a meeting point for guests.

Coordinates

Coordinates are given in the three formats:

DMS: Degrees, Minutes, and Seconds

DD: Decimal degrees

What3Words

Circuit Entrance Coordinates

DMS: 51°29’39.08″, -2°12’48.92″

DD: 51.49419, -2.21359

What3words: ///retail.glove.earplugs

Paddock Coordinates

DMS: 51°29’38.54″, -2°12’53.53″

DD: 51.49404, -2.21487

What3words: ///parked.engineers.shrugging

Page created by Peter Tattersall, July 2024

ukCircuits

Castle Combe – Getting There