For the Silverstone GP circuit there are two independent paddocks; one is for the National configuration and the other is for the International configuration. When the full GP circuit is utilised, either paddock may be in use.
National Paddock
The above diagram details the locations for spectator requirements
in the National paddock.
International Paddock
The above diagram details the locations for spectator requirements in the International paddock.
The Medical Centre is located in the National paddock. For
First Aid, it is recommended to seek an official for guidance.
Silverstone Spectating Points
National Configuration
The above map has notes for spectating. The infield notes start with number 10 at the first corner, Copse, and travel clockwise around the National circuit back to the National Pits Straight. The process is then repeated for outfield notes, this time starting from note 26, along the National Pits Straight.
Infield
There are not many opportunities for the spectator, although the photographer may find more luck. The majority of proper viewing opportunities, aside from grandstands, are on the outside of the circuit. For club meeting, grandstands are usually closed or free.
Copse to Maggotts
10) The top end of this diagram is alongside the National paddock and overlooks the pit exit. This is a high-speed corner with overtaking opportunities and the inevitable visit to the gravel trap. Viewing is available all the way to the grandstand.
Maggotts and Becketts
7) It is possible to walk past the grandstand all the way to the end of the barrier. This is an especially good spot for when the National configuration is in use.
8) Turning back, one can watch the competitors approach, having exited Becketts.
Wellington Straight, to the Bridge
8) There is a grassy area to the right of the grandstand, which is separated from the circuit by an access road.
9) Now inside the access road and therefore a little close to the circuit, but there is little to see as it is one very long straight.
Wellington Straight, Bridge to the National Pits Straight
There are no spectating opportunities other than for those with paddock access, as this whole area is taken by the National paddock.
Outfield
National Pits Straight
26) There is only a small area in which to get a view of the circuit between the two grandstands.
27) After the grandstand, there are spaces for car parking running along the outside of the circuit. There is still space by the fence to watch the action.
National Pits Straight
28) The are decent views of the circuit here. To the right, by the grandstands, is a pedestrian tunnel leading to the National paddock. There is also a vehicular tunnel.
Copse to Maggotts
29) Here is a spectating area reserved for the disabled.
30) Disabled parking and toilet. From here down to Maggots, there is a grassy embankment overlooking the circuit. Most of it is narrow due to the access road running alongside.
Maggotts
31) The grassy embankment overlooking the circuit effectively ends, as that takes the spectator away from the National circuit. The only way get to the start of the Wellington Straight without missing the action is to walk all the way round in an anticlockwise direction. A slightly quicker route, which would miss some track action, would be to walk back to the first corner, Copse, and take the pedestrian tunnel into the paddock. From there, head southwards, out of the paddock and over the bridge that dissects Hagar Straight, then turn left and continue.
Village to Wellington Straight Bridge
22) This tarmacked area leading up to the bridge that crosses Wellington Straight is ideal for watching cars exit Aintree and accelerate along the straight.
Wellington Straight Bridge to Woodcote
23) I’ve been unable to get any information from the bridge up to Brooklands and so will endeavour to update this section on my return. On carefully examining the area, I suspect that it is out-of-bounds to spectators, but hope to be corrected.
24) I suspect that this open grandstand is free to access. There is a little area to the right that gives views of the apex.
25) Aside from the grandstands, there are no opportunities to view the circuit.
National Pits Straight
26) There is only a small area in which to get a view of the circuit between the two grandstands.
27) After the grandstand, there are spaces for car parking running along the outside of the circuit. There is still space by the fence to watch the action.
National Pits Straight
28) The are decent views of the circuit here. To the right, by the grandstands, is a pedestrian tunnel leading to the National paddock. There is also a vehicular tunnel.
International Configuration
The above map has notes for spectating. The infield notes start at number 1 along Hamilton Straight and travel clockwise around the International circuit back to the start point. The process is then repeated for outfield notes, this time from note number 17.
Infield
Hamilton Straight.
1) The inside of the circuit is taken up by the Grand Prix pits and paddock, so the general spectator needs to go to the outside.
Abbey to Farm – Inside of Circuit
2) There is a gate which, when open, leads to a grassy bank overlooking the start of the pit exit lane.
3) A small patch of grass by the side of the road gives a ground-level view of Farm Curve. It could provide interest if there are not too many spectators.
4) The grass bank ends at the marshal post. The remainder of the circuit perimeter has an access road running alongside it and so is unsuitable for spectating.
Village to Becketts
5) The grassy bank opposite is slightly raised and so may offer viewing opportunities.
11) A flat area giving a ground-level view of the circuit, from Maggotts’ exit, along the following Hangar Straight.
Hangar Straight Bridge
12) Either side of the bridge are spectating points.
Stowe Approach
13) Continuing with the flat area giving a ground-level view of the circuit, this time along Hangar Straight and into Stowe Corner.
Stowe Corner
14) Still at ground level, alongside what looks like a hospitality grandstand, as it appears to contain a bar on the ground floor.
15) Here is an embankment overlooking the pit lane entry.
Vale and Club
15) Other than the grandstand, there is not a lot to see in this area, as the pit lane entry separates the spectator from the circuit. This then leads into the international paddock.
Outfield
Hamilton Straight.
17) The centre is reserved for the hotel, which encompasses the start/finish line.
18) The outside is mainly covered by grandstands, the middle one being uncovered.
Abbey to Farm – Outside of Circuit
19) Grandstands cover most of this section, but there is a tiny space between the fenced off pond and the grandstand. There appears to be access to it, but I will have to confirm on my next visit.
20) There is space in front of the grandstand and between in and the next. Again, there appears to be access to it, but I will have to confirm on my next visit.
Village
21) There is a small gap between the open and enclosed grandstands for spectators to watch competitors enter Aintree.
Hangar Straight
32) Spectator viewing is available all the way the Bridge, but there is one zone where pedestrians have to, if they are heading towards Stowe, walk onto or cross the access road.
33) Spectator viewing is available all the way to Stowe.
Stowe
34) Here the track-side spectating ends to make way for the grandstands.
35) Having walked on the access road, or on the narrow grass either side, track-side spectating resumes up a slight embankment.
Stowe to Vale
36) To the right, south, of the grandstand, spectators can watch drivers entering the pit lane. To the left, north, of the grandstand are more grandstands.
Club
37) This nice little gap even has picnic tables set back, very useful for tired feet during a club meetings.
GP Configuration
The above map has notes for spectating. The infield notes start at number 1 along Hamilton Straight and travel clockwise around the GP circuit back to the start point. The process is then repeated for outfield notes, this time from note number 17.
Infield
Hamilton Straight.
1) The inside of the circuit is taken up by the Grand Prix pits and paddock, so the general spectator needs to go to the outside.
Abbey to Farm – Inside of Circuit
2) There is a gate which, when open, leads to a grassy bank overlooking the start of the pit exit lane.
3) A small patch of grass by the side of the road gives a ground-level view of Farm Curve. It could provide interest if there are not too many spectators.
4) The grass bank ends at the marshal post. The remainder of the circuit perimeter has an access road running alongside it and so is unsuitable for spectating.
Village to Aintree
This whole area is not always available. For example, if the National or International configuration is in use, then this zone would have the respective circuit barring the spectator’s path.
The circuit perimeter has an access road running alongside it and so it is not conducive to safe spectating
5) The grassy bank opposite is slightly raised and so may offer viewing opportunities.
6) This section is inaccessible if both ‘lesser’ configurations are in use. For the GP configuration, it is suitable for photography, otherwise is just a link to the National configuration’s infield.
7) There is a grassy area below the grandstand, which is separated from the circuit by an access road.
Wellington Straight, to the Bridge
8) There is a grassy area to the right of the grandstand, which is separated from the circuit by an access road.
9) Now inside the access road and therefore a little close to the circuit, but there is little to see as it is one very long straight.
Wellington Straight, Bridge to the National Pits Straight
There are no spectating opportunities other than for those with paddock access, as this whole area is taken by the National paddock.
Copse to Maggotts
10) The top end of this diagram is alongside the National paddock and overlooks the pit exit. This is a high-speed corner with overtaking opportunities and the inevitable visit to the gravel trap. Viewing is available all the way to the grandstand.
Maggotts to Chapel
7) It is possible to walk past the grandstand all the way to the end of the barrier. This is an especially good spot for when the National configuration is in use.
6) As already stated above, this section is inaccessible if both ‘lesser’ configurations are in use. For the GP configuration, it is suitable for photography, otherwise is just a link to the International configuration’s infield.
11) A flat area giving a ground-level view of the circuit, from Maggotts’ exit, along the following Hangar Straight.
Hangar Straight Bridge
12) Either side of the bridge are spectating points.
Stowe Approach
13) Continuing with the flat area giving a ground-level view of the circuit, this time along Hangar Straight and into Stowe Corner.
Stowe Corner
14) Still at ground level, alongside what looks like a hospitality grandstand, as it appears to contain a bar on the ground floor.
15) Here is an embankment overlooking the pit lane entry.
Vale and Club
15) Other than the grandstand, there is not a lot to see in this area, as the pit lane entry separates the spectator from the circuit. This then leads into the international paddock.
Outfield
Hamilton Straight.
17) The centre is reserved for the hotel, which encompasses the start/finish line.
18) The outside is mainly covered by grandstands, the middle one being uncovered.
Abbey to Farm – Outside of Circuit
19) Grandstands cover most of this section, but there is a tiny space between the fenced off pond and the grandstand. There appears to be access to it, but I will have to confirm on my next visit.
20) There is space in front of the grandstand and between in and the next. Again, there appears to be access to it, but I will have to confirm on my next visit.
Village to Wellington Straight Bridge
21) There is a small gap between the open and enclosed grandstands for spectators to watch competitors enter Aintree.
22) This tarmacked area leading up to the bridge that crosses Wellington Straight is ideal for watching cars exit Aintree and accelerate along the straight.
Wellington Straight Bridge to Woodcote
23) I’ve been unable to get any information from the bridge up to Brooklands and so will endeavour to update this section on my return. On carefully examining the area, I suspect that it is out-of-bounds to spectators, but hope to be corrected.
24) I suspect that this open grandstand is free to access. There is a little area to the right that gives views of the apex.
25) Aside from the grandstands, there are no opportunities to view the circuit.
National Pits Straight
26) There is only a small area in which to get a view of the circuit between the two grandstands.
27) After the grandstand, there are spaces for car parking running along the outside of the circuit. There is still space by the fence to watch the action.
National Pits Straight
28) The are decent views of the circuit here. To the right, by the grandstands, is a pedestrian tunnel leading to the National paddock. There is also a vehicular tunnel.
Copse to Maggotts
29) Here is a spectating area reserved for the disabled.
30) Disabled parking and toilet. From here down to Maggots, there is a grassy embankment overlooking the circuit. Most of it is narrow due to the access road running alongside.
Maggotts to Chapel
31) The grassy embankment overlooking the circuit continues, as does the access road running alongside. It is punctuated by the grandstand, after which is a more open grassy area which, sadly, slopes away from the circuit almost immediately.
Hangar Straight
32) Spectator viewing is available all the way the Bridge, but there is one zone where pedestrians have to, if they are heading towards Stowe, walk onto or cross the access road.
33) Spectator viewing is available all the way to Stowe.
Stowe
34) Here the track-side spectating ends to make way for the grandstands.
35) Having walked on the access road, or on the narrow grass either side, track-side spectating resumes up a slight embankment.
Stowe to Vale
36) To the right, south, of the grandstand, spectators can watch drivers entering the pit lane. To the left, north, of the grandstand are more grandstands.
Club
37) This nice little gap even has picnic tables set back, very useful for tired feet during a club meetings.
Page created by Peter Tattersall, February 2022