Thruxton 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 advice can be an aid to confidence.

There are three main routes to Thruxton: from the North (A432), the East (A303) and the West(B3084, parallel to the A303). Travel from anywhere but the most local southern point and you will finish by taking the proffered eastern or western routes.

From the North, A342

Note that the numbers in the list, below, correspond to the numbers noted on the map.

The journey via the A342 involves turning right into Privet Lane or the following Fyfield Lane, both of which involve very narrow sections that are not wholly suitable for cars towing or wide vehicles. The alternative is to stay on the A342 until the A303 at Andover, which is a considerable distance away and has a complicated route onto the A303 towards Thruxton. For these reasons, I cannot recommend this road. Instead, I propose staying on the A338.

If you do find yourself on the A342, I recommend staying on it until the A303, join it as described here, then follow the instructions From the East, A303.

  1. At the end of the A342 you will come to a McDonalds on the left, at a traffic light-controlled roundabout.
  2. Take the right lane for A303W, which is the fourth exit.
  3. The third and fourth exits are together, so take care to take the right of the two exit lanes.
  4. Crossing the bridge, just before the traffic lights on the left is a sign that is, if you are lucky, mostly blocked by foliage. This does indicate that you should take the third exit from this ‘extended roundabout’.
  5. Just before heading back across the bridge, take the exit onto the A303W.

From the North, A338

To stay on the A338, on passing through Collingbourne Ducis, one must turn off the main road at a mini roundabout, which is shortly after The Tipple Inn.

On passing The Tipple Inn on the left, you will come across a mini roundabout. It is easy to take the wrong exit by going straight on; but that exits onto the A346.

Instead, take the second exit to the right onto Church Street, heading towards Salisbury and Tidworth. This ensures that you remain on the A338.

Should you have gone straight on, the A346 will take you onto the A342. You can then follow my From the North: A342 recommendations, above, for arriving at Thruxton circuit.

Alternatively, continue with the next section.

From the North, South or West, B3084

From the North, South or West, you will join the B3084 where it begins at the A303/A338 interchange.

From the North, A338

It is approximately 5.4 miles to here from the mini roundabout by The Tipple Inn, North, Collingbourne.

You will cross under a bridge and then arrive at a roundabout. Take the first exit onto the B3084.

From the West, A303

Take the exit with a Thruxton sign. It is also signposted, including Tidworth and Thruxton.

The exit curves sharply to the left then, as it becomes a two-way carriageway, curves to the right.

At the T-junction, turn right, signposted Salisbury A338.

You will cross under a bridge and then arrive at a roundabout. Take the first exit onto the B3084.

From the South, A338

On approaching the junction for the A303, you will meet a signpost for accessing that A-road via a roundabout, then a second signpost for the B3084 and Thruxton circuit via the same roundabout.

At that roundabout, take the third exit onto the B3084.

From the West, B3084

Note that the numbers in the list, below, correspond to the numbers noted on the map.

From the North, South or West, you will join the B3084 by the roundabout, as described in the above section, From the North, South or West: B3084. From here, it is around 2.5 miles along the road to the turn off that leads to Thruxton’s entrance.

  1. Exit roundabout onto B3084.
  2. Continue straight on (here, the B3084 turns off).
  3. After about 2.5 miles, turn left, signposted Thruxton. Note that the signpost is set in the bushes, so may be obscured.
  4. This is a narrow road, so take care. After nearly 200 metres, is the entry to the Thruxton Kart circuit. Another 275 metres ahead, on the right, is the entrance to Thruxton Circuit.
  5. If you miss the turn off, you will head onto the A303 dual carriageway. Take the second exit (not the first, as this does not have a return slip road). At the end of the tight slip road, turn right. Pass under the bridge for the A303 and at the next junction, turn right. After more tight bends, this leads back onto the A303. You can then continue with the next section, below, From the East, A303.

From the East, A303

Note that the numbers against the photographs, below, correspond to the numbers noted on the map.

These directions can also be used if you have entered the A303 from the A342, or having turned around after overshooting the Thruxton entrance.

  1. From the A303, take the exit signposted Thruxton Industrial Estate (A303). Just before the “2” countdown board is a Thruxton Circuit signpost.
  2. At the end of the road, turn right, signposted Thruxton Circuit and A303.
  3. Having crossed the A303 at the end of the road, turn left, signposted Thruxton Circuit and (A303).
  4. Almost immediately, take the next right.
  5. This is a narrow road, so take care. After nearly 200 metres, is the entry to the Thruxton Kart circuit. Another 275 metres ahead, on the right, is the entrance to Thruxton Circuit.

Photos – From the East: A303

Note that the numbers against the photographs correspond to the numbers noted on the map.

1.
At the end of the slip road, take the right-lane and turn right.
2.
Having turned right, pass under the bridge and turn left.
3.
On the other side of the bridge, turn left.
4.
This is the left turn. Almost immediately after, turn right.
4.
Turn right, signposted Thruxton.
5.
Pass the entrance to the Thruxton karting centre. Or stop off for an enjoyable drive around this excellent outdoor circuit.
5.
Turn right into Thruxton, to the left of the sculpture.

Entrance

Note that the numbers against the photographs, below, correspond to the numbers noted on the map.

These directions get you through the main entrance. For access to the paddock, also consult the next section, Paddock Access.

  1. On arriving at the Thruxton entrance, one is greeted by a sculpture that includes a model of an airborne light plane. Enter to the left of the sculpture.
  2. For paddock access, take the middle entrance. This is in between two walls made out in a chequered pattern, several flags and a circular sculpture.
  3. The left entrance is for camping, especially popular during major meetings, such as truck racing. Pedestrians can take this; on entering stay to the right to get to the roundabout that leads to the paddock, via a pedestrian tunnel, café, spectating and Thruxton offices.
  4. The right entrance is for parking. For spectators, on entering stay to the left to get to the roundabout that leads to the paddock, via a pedestrian tunnel, café, spectating and Thruxton offices.

Photos – Paddock Access

Photos – Entrance

1.
Main entrance. Enter to the left of the sculpture.
2.
Pass through this entrance for the main paddock.
3.
The left entrance is for camping. For spectators, on entering stay to the right to get to the roundabout that leads to the paddock, via a pedestrian tunnel, café, spectating and Thruxton offices.
4.
The right entrance is for parking. For spectators, on entering stay to the left to get to the roundabout that leads to the paddock, via a pedestrian tunnel, café, spectating and Thruxton offices.

Paddock Access

Note that the numbers against the photographs, below, correspond to the numbers noted on the map.

  1. From the main entrance, there is a straight road leading to a mini roundabout.
  2. Take the second exit, which leads to the tunnel under the circuit. The tunnel is traffic-light controlled due to it being only wide enough for a single vehicle. Pedestrians are strictly forbidden and have a separate path through tunnel. When trucks are on-track, both tunnels are closed. On exiting, the paddock exit is via the same tunnel.
  3. Turn left at the fuel station for the main paddock.

Photos – Paddock Access

1.
The mini-roundabout is ahead.
2.
Access to the tunnel, which is traffic-light controlled.
2.
Pedestrian access to the tunnel, to the right of the vehicular tunnel.
3.
The fuel station, at which one should turn left, for access to the paddock.
3.
The fuel station. Straight on from here for access to the paddock.

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°12’19.08″, -1°36’47.45″
  • DD: 51.2053, -1.61318
  • What3words: ///prop.stub.depend

Paddock Coordinates

Page updated by Peter Tattersall, July, 2023