Silverstone F1 parking with kids

[WindsorRob]

Taking my two lads 9 and 11 to Silverstone this year and just in the process of booking. Trying to work out parking options, any advice on what’s going to be the easiest and most convenient option. Not too bothered about cost, I just want to avoid either a really long walk, or really long waits. The on-site parking looks to be £50, is this a convenient option in others experience, I did see something about Silverstone primary school parking. But not sure how far it is to walk ?

Any advice appreciated. Ta.

[Sheetmaself]

Helicopter in? Well you did say you’re not concerned about cost!

To be honest i never really have too much of an issue on any day getting in or out, okay the two hour journey may take 3 but thats not too bad shirley.

[RobinSherwood]

Join the Silverstone Racing Club, book tickets in their grandstand and park in the SRC car park which is one of the closest to the circuit.

Other benefits include the clubhouse with proper loos, food and drink on hand and somewhere to shelter if the weather is bad.

http://src.silverstone.co.uk/index.php/join-us/

[super7]

Book a ticket for the Main Car Parks at the circuit.... On arrival, keep in the left hand side of the dual carriageway. Depending on which way you approach the circuit you'll either go down that side automatically (comming from Towcester) or you'll need to frig it by going accidently going down the press route from brackley. Don't go down the right hand side or you'll end up in the Grass car parks which can be a good walk to the track.

If you stay in the left hand lane, you will be on the Hard Standing. This is a short walk to the track behind the main grandstand.

If your in Vale, Club or Stowe grandstands, go to the bottom of the dual carriageway and at the roundabout turn left, but then go straight right (you might need to ask a marshal to get out the way because they'll want you to go in the main car park). This will take you to the car park at the back of Vale. They don't mind you going there but you might need to ask. This is a 2 minute walk to the Grandstands and will save you at least 1/2hr if you end up in the grass car parks.

Access to and from the Circuit these days is easy. If you arrive before 9am Fri/Sat, you won't be caught in any traffic. Before 7am on Sunday likewise.

Other than that enjoy what is an expensive, but equally brilliant weekend.

[super7]

Oh..... and the primary school is a good 30-45minute walk. Which is st when your carrying all your stuff and you just want to get home after the race.

[Dazzled]

Personally I wouldn’t go near the main entrance over the race weekend. Not only do you get all the spectator traffic heading in that direction but it’s also near the entrances to two of the bigger campsites so you get all that traffic too.
The schools parking is good (but the school has now moved to the far end of the village) but it is a good 30 minute walk from the main gates.
Can I suggest you head to Winterhill in the middle of the village? It crosses the A43 towards the circuit and the marshalls car park and is used as an access road for additional parking over the weekend. About 100 metres into Winterhill on the right hand side is a non boggy field where a local will relieve you of circa £20 to park for the day.
It’s then a 20 minute walk to either Copse or the rear of the Woodcote, Luffield grandstands.
Parking here means you’ll jump the queues coming out of the circuit after the race.
In previous years the marshalls in the official car parks have abandoned their posts and chaos has ensued.

[WindsorRob]

Thanks for the info as always ! I'm now trying to sort Grandstands (left it too late to get the real pick ) Vale has been a recommendation on other forums, and is decent value, any views on here ?

Also - Given it's south end of the circuit, does the Dadford parking option work with this ?

[Sheetmaself]

Might be a good year for general access to be honest. This inside track thing they are doing which allows you into the centre of the track may mean that the two of you, deck chairs and an umbrella would be a good idea as may be quiter i side the track and a huge cost saving over a grandstand?

[super7]

WindsorRob said:

Thanks for the info as always ! I'm now trying to sort Grandstands (left it too late to get the real pick ) Vale has been a recommendation on other forums, and is decent value, any views on here ?

Also - Given it's south end of the circuit, does the Dadford parking option work with this ?

Vale is a great Grandstand..... you'll be able to see the cars down from the Hangar Straight through Stowe, down through Vale and into Club Corner. You'll also get the Pit lane entrance and the overtaking into Stowe and Club corners.

For Parking, like I said before, park in the car park RIGHT BEHIND the Vale grandstand (not on the otherside of the Dadford road!). It literraly takes 2 minutes to get to the Grandstand. There is an entrance gate right in front of it. Vale is also uncovered, so if it does really piss it down you can take shelter in your car.

Also, ignore all comments about traffic into and out of the circuit. I've been going to the GP since 1988 and used to live in the village. The improvements since the dual carriage and new entrance roads have cured all the old problems. Last 20 years i've lived near Chipping Norton so now drive into the circuit, and i have litterally NEVER been stuck in any traffic, and if i leave just after the race, I can be in my local for a post race pint in under 45minutes.

Whatever you do, don't take the Bus option. Don't know why people would do this.

[NormalWisdom]

Rather than star a new thread, I'll jump on the back of this one.

I am going for the first time this year - Have General Access tickets. Mrs Wisdom isn't very mobile and I am toying with the idea of taking folding bikes, is that permitted? Otherwise, a borrowed mobility scooter might be in order, is GA mostly grass?

Is there specific parking for GA?

Sheetmaself said:

This inside track thing they are doing which allows you into the centre of the track

Interesting this - I'll definitely need to look into that.

Perhaps I ought to read the "bumph" that has come along with the tickets.......