Silverstone

Understand

In the Middle Ages the village trade was primarily in timber from the surrounding Whittlewood forest. Linnell Bros. still operate a woodyard to this day. Fish ponds on the north side of the village fed the villagers.

About half a mile to the south of the village is the world famous Silverstone Circuit, the traditional home of the British Grand Prix. The racing circuit is on the site of RAF Silverstone. For one week in the year it gets a bit hectic, but for the rest of the time it is a pleasant shire village with a healthy community spirit.

Do

When the Formula One World Championship began in 1950, Silverstone held the very first round, won by Giuseppe Farina in an Alfa Romeo. In 1951 the British Racing Drivers' Club (BRDC) was handed the lease by the RAC, and huge modifications were made. The pits were moved to the straight between Woodcote and Copse, from the Farm straight where they had been, and a short circuit was built within the larger circuit, cutting from Becketts corner to Woodcote. From 1955 the British Grand Prix swapped venues between Aintree and Silverstone, but with the advent of the 1960s, Aintree fell out of favour and the race was switched between Silverstone and Brands Hatch. In 1971 the BRDC bought the entire 720-acre plot on which Silverstone sits and went about redeveloping the track. New pits were built and a chicane was erected at Woodcote which provided close finishes and great overtaking opportunities. In 1987, with speeds at the circuit reaching astounding levels, a corner was built before Woodcote, and in 1992 a new complex of corners was created between Farm and Woodcote. In the 1990s various upgrades were made to the track's facilities. There is now a racing school at the circuit, and with government funding a new bypass has been built, greatly improving access to the once notoriously out-of-the-way venue.

Sleep

Escapade trackside accommodation opens in time for the next Grand Prix in July 2024.

Go next

Six miles south of Silverstone Circuit, the North Bucks market town of Buckingham makes a good stop over or handy location for accommodation and supplies.