Visiting Silverstone: Directions to Silverstone, what to expect, and the nearest station

Silverstone Circuit draws visitors, tourists, and fans all year round. Thanks to its central location in England, it's less than two hours' travel away for millions of people.

In this article, we cover why people love Silverstone, how to get there by train and car, and what to expect when you arrive.

Why visit Silverstone?

Silverstone Circuit is steeped in motor history. It's home to The British Grand Prix, part of the F1 World Championship, and Moto GP, motorcycling's equivalent of F1.

It also hosts:

• Superbikes, the souped-up version of MotoGP

• Walter Hays Trophy, the most important Formula Ford race

• Vintage sports car racing

• A 24hr endurance championship, just like LeMans

• BARC Mini Challenge, an important stepping stone for wannabee professional racers

The amazing Silverstone Festival is held at the end of summer. It’s a three-day celebration of motorsport with extreme stunt shows, F1 car displays, and live music at night.

It's not just for big events though. Racers and hobbyists love Silverstone's track days too, where they can race each other on this famous circuit.

While the Grand Prix Weekend grabs the majority of headlines, there's always something happening at Silverstone.

 

Train stations near Silverstone

The nearest train station to Silverstone is Wolverton. You can get to Wolverton direct from London Euston, Birmingham New Street, and Northampton railway station.

For visitors setting off from different stations, you'll have to get off at the other main train stations near Silverstone. These are the Banbury, Milton Keynes, and Northampton rail stations. After that, you can make your way to the circuit by bus or taxi.

Let's look at the options you have to get to Silverstone from Britain's most populated areas.

London to Silverstone by train

When travelling from London to Silverstone by train, here are your options:

• Wolverton: Travel direct to the closest station to Silverstone from London Euston (approximately one hour)

• Banbury: Direct from London Marylebone (approximately one hour and 10 minutes)

• Milton Keynes: Direct from London Euston (approximately 50 minutes)

• Northampton: Direct from London Euston (approximately one hour and 10 minutes)

Birmingham to Silverstone by train

When travelling from Birmingham to Silverstone by train, your options are:

• Wolverton: Travel from Birmingham New Street direct to Silverstone's nearest train station (approximately one hour)

• Banbury: Direct from Birmingham Moor Street (just under an hour)

• Milton Keynes: Direct from Birmingham New Street (approximately one hour and 15 minutes)

• Northampton: Direct from Birmingham New Street (approximately one hour)

Glasgow to Silverstone by train

There are no direct services from Glasgow like the London Silverstone connection. Instead, you can catch a direct train from Glasgow to Milton Keynes Central.

The journey will take just over five 5 hours.

Liverpool to Silverstone by train

You can take a direct train from Liverpool to Milton Keynes Central. The journey will take approximately two hours.

Manchester to Silverstone by train

When travelling from Manchester to Silverstone by train, your options are:

• Banbury: Direct from Manchester Piccadilly (approximately two and a half hours)

• Milton Keynes: Direct from Manchester Piccadilly (approximately two hours)

Sheffield to Silverstone by train

There are no services to Wolverton, the train station near Silverstone, from Sheffield. Instead, you can catch the direct train from Sheffield to Banbury.

The journey will take approximately four hours.

Edinburgh to Silverstone by train

When travelling from Edinburgh to Silverstone by train, your options are:

• Banbury: Direct from Edinburgh Waverley (approximately five and a half hours)

• Northampton: Direct from Edinburgh Waverley (approximately five hours and 15 minutes)

Newcastle to Silverstone by train

You can take a direct train from Newcastle to Banbury. The journey will take approximately three hours and 45 minutes.

Southampton to Silverstone by train

You can take a direct train from Southampton to Banbury. The journey will take approximately two hours.

 

When you get off the train

Take the shuttle bus

You can take a bus direct to the circuit once you've got off the train. It takes about half an hour to get to the circuit from Banbury, Milton Keynes Central or Northampton, slightly less from Wolverton.

Getting to Silverstone by taxi

Getting a taxi from the train stations at Banbury, Milton Keynes and Northampton should cost around £40. Expect to pay £30 if you catch a cab from Wolverton. You'll be dropped off at car park 25.

Public transport service to Silverstone across the UK

There is a special Silverstone Megabus service that runs across the Grand Prix weekend.

Catch a Megabus from one of over 40 destinations in the UK. You'll be dropped off at car park 22 (the coach park) by the main gate (a two-minute walk) when you arrive.

 

Directions to Silverstone by car

There's plenty of car parking at and around Silverstone, even on Grand Prix Weekends. Don't forget to book your parking tickets in advance though.

London to Silverstone by car

From Central London, find and follow the A4201. Then take the A41 onto Finchley Rd and Hendon Way. Merge onto the A406 then take the M1 slip road to Watford. Stay on the M1 for about 58 miles and then take exit 15A.

Continue on the A43 and then take the A413 exit towards Buckingham and Whittlebury. Follow the A413 turning onto Whittlebury Rd and Stocks Hill to reach Silverstone.

Birmingham to Silverstone by car

From Central Birmingham, get to the A38 and then merge onto the M6 towards London. Then take the M1 exit. Keep right at the fork and merge onto M1 exiting at junction 15A onto the A43.

Follow the A43 taking the exit towards Buckingham and Whittlebury. Stay on A413 and then take Whittlebury Rd and Stocks Hill to reach Silverstone.

Glasgow to Silverstone by car

From Central Glasgow, start by merging onto M8 and then take M74. Then join the A74(M), M6, M6 Toll, M42, and M1. Exit at junction 15A from M1 onto A43.

Going through a series of roundabouts, follow that A43 and take the exit towards Buckingham/Whittlebury. Keep on the A413 and then take the exit at Whittlebury Rd and Stocks Hill to reach Silverstone.

Liverpool to Silverstone by car

From Central Liverpool to Silverstone, make your way to the M57 from the A580 in Knowsley. Then take the M62, M6, M6 Toll, M42, and M1 to A43 in Northamptonshire exiting at junction 15A from M1.

You'll now be on the A43. Stay on it until you see the exit for Buckingham and Whittlebury. Then take the Whittlebury Road and Stocks Hill turning to reach Silverstone.

Manchester to Silverstone by car

From Central Manchester, follow the A5103 to the M56 in Wythenshawe. Then, take M6, M6 Toll, M6, and M1 to A43 in Northamptonshire, exiting at junction 15A from M1.

Now follow the A43 then the A413 to get to Silverstone, taking the turning at Whittlebury Rd and Stocks Hill.

Sheffield to Silverstone by car

From Central Sheffield to Silverstone, drive on the Sheffield Parkway to the M1 in Treeton. Then continue on M1 to Northamptonshire and take exit 15A to the A43.

Now take the A43 followed by A413 to Silverstone circuit via the Whittlebury Rd and Stocks Hill turning.

Edinburgh to Silverstone by car

From Central Edinburgh to Silverstone, take the B1350 to the A1 and follow the A1 to the A19 in Tyne and Wear at exit 80. Join the A1(M) in North Yorkshire and continue on the A1(M). The A1(M) turns into the M1. At the exit, take the A43 to Northamptonshire.

Take the 15A exit and then follow A43 and A413 to Silverstone via Whittlebury Rd and Stocks Hill.

Newcastle to Silverstone by car

From Central Newcastle, get onto the A1(M). This turns into the M1 during your journey. Continue on the M1 and join the A43 in Northamptonshire by taking the 15A exit.

After taking the A43 exit, follow A43 and A413 to your destination in Silverstone. Take the turning at Whittlebury Rd and Stocks Hill, turn left, and you’ll arrive at Silverstone.

Southampton to Silverstone by car

From Central Southampton, get onto the M27 from A3024 and A335. Then take the M27 slip road to get to the M3. At junction 9, follow the A34 taking the B430 exit.

Continue on B430 and follow the A43 and the A413 to Silverstone, taking the 1st exit onto Whittlebury Rd. Follow Whittlebury Rd, turn left and you'll be at Silverstone.

Sat Nav postcode for Silverstone

Enter NN12 8TN into your Sat Nav.

Car parks at Silverstone

You can park at these locations but remember to book your tickets in advance:

• Silverstone Official Car Park 1: 20 minutes walk away from the main gate

• Silverstone Official Car Park 2: Easy access with a two-minute walk from the main gate

• P1 Parking: A 10-minute walk away from the circuit entrance

• Whittlebury Car Park: A short walk from Copse Corner or Becketts

• West End Paddocks: Camping and parking site a 15-minute walk to the circuit

Park and ride locations

Alternatively, book a space at one of the two park-and-ride locations just off the M1 and M40. Shuttle buses come every few moments to take you to the circuit.

Taking the helicopter

There's a permanent helipad available at Silverstone Circuit. If you can, you can take your own, or book a VIP shuttle flight for £1,200 plus VAT per person return.

What to expect

On Grand Prix weekend, you see the best drivers in the world competing for glory on a historic track in an electric atmosphere. The race on Sunday is the climax of a three-day event.

On each day, there's plenty to interest you off-track too, such as the Silverstone Interactive Museum.

Prices vary depending on your ticket. Expect to pay much more for grandstand seats and the circuit's famous hospitality packages.

If you want to make a weekend of it but camping is not your thing, you can book accommodation in Silverstone Village. To get to the circuit, just catch a taxi from High Street.

 

Take the train down to Silverstone

Take in an amazing experience and save £100s in petrol and parking by taking the train. Save even more by booking early, booking as a group or using a Railcard.

Find your train tickets with Avanti West Coast today and get ready to enjoy Silverstone!