Silverstone: 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.

Most non-local journeys will culminate in using the A43, either east or west

From the West: A43

  1. Take the exit from the A43, signposted Silverstone and Whittlebury (A413). The slip road becomes a two-way road, the A413.
  2. The speed limit drops to 40mph After it further drops to 30mph there is a roundabout, at which you should turn right, (second exit) signpostedN’pton (A43) and Silverstone.
  3. After the traffic lights, cross the bridge that goes over the A43. The, at the pear-shaped roundabout, go straight on (first exit), signposted Silverstone.
  4. After approximately 900 metres, or just over half a mile, take the first exit at the roundabout (turn left).
  5. Ahead, on the left, is the entrance to a car park. This is often used as a holding area for early arrivals.
  6. Passing the car park entrance go straight on (second exit) at the next roundabout, where you will cone to the security barrier. Here, if early, you will probably be instructed to wait in the aforementioned car park.

From the East: A43

  1. Take the exit from the A43, signposted Stowe, Dadford, Abthorpe and Silverstone.
  2. At the very end of the short slip road, an additional lane appears on the left, which you should take. It is a feeder lane onto Dadford Road and is tight, so take care. From here, the speed is 40mph.
  3. After approximately 900 metres, or just over half a mile, take the first exit at the roundabout (turn left).
  4. Ahead, on the left, is the entrance to a car park. This is often used as a holding area for early arrivals.

From the South

  1. Approaching the roundabout, signposted Silverstone Circuit West 10 to the right and Silverstone straight on, there is a large building on the right followed by a 60mph speed limit sign. Take the second exit, straight on, joining a dual carriageway.
  2. After approximately 500 metres, or less than a third of a mile, take the third exit at the roundabout (turn right).
  3. Ahead, on the left, is the entrance to a car park. This is often used as a holding area for early arrivals.
  4. Passing the car park entrance go straight on (second exit) at the next roundabout, where you will come to the security barrier. Here, if early, you will probably be instructed to wait in the aforementioned car park.

From Car Park / Security to the National Paddock

  1. If held in the car park, on exiting turn left. Then go straight on at the roundabout (second exit).
  2. At the security barrier, present your tickets and then drive through. The speed limit is 20mph.
  3. Having crossed the bridge that goes over the old Silverstone circuit’s Farm Straight, you will come to a mini roundabout. Take the second exit, which is left of straight ahead.
  4. Having crossed the bridge that goes over Wellington Straight, you will come to a mini roundabout. Take the first exit, which is left.
  5. You will arrive at the large National Paddock.

From Car Park / Security to the International Paddock

  1. If held in the car park, on exiting turn left. Then go straight on at the roundabout (second exit).
  2. At the security barrier, present your tickets and then drive through. The speed limit is 20mph. Then, immediately, take the right.
  3. An alternative, if officials decide, is to direct you right .as you exit the car park. You will then take the first exit, left, at the roundabout. This is taking the blue route.
  4. Still with the alternative blue route, at the next roundabout take the first exit, left. This is a restricted access. You will then be directed to take an immediate left, then left again.
  5. You are now travelling around the outside of the International circuit, in an anticlockwise direction.
  6. Turn sharp left and cross the bridge that goes over Hangar Straight.
  7. At the junction, be careful of other traffic as you turn right. You are now travelling around the inside of the International circuit, in a clockwise direction.
  8. As you arrive at the International Paddock, there is a high likelihood of being held in a queue whilst each vehicle ahead is individually checked for paperwork, asked where in the paddock they are going and provided with usually irrelevant information. I have often seen vehicles turned away. Your turn will come as you get to the roundabout. Here, you will take a tight turn, almost back on yourself, as you head into the paddock. There will be further delays as those ahead manoeuvre themselves into their parking slot.

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

National Paddock Coordinates

National Paddock Coordinates

Page updated by Peter Tattersall, May 2023