British GP 2021: how long will it take?
Discussion
This may seem like a stupid question but having never been to Silverstone on F1 day before, I have no idea how much of a scrap it will be to get in.
Normally I'd use Google Maps and two postcodes for an accurate time, but of course that will be shot to bits on race day.
How long would you allow to get from Colchester to seated in the grandstand by race start?
Normally I'd use Google Maps and two postcodes for an accurate time, but of course that will be shot to bits on race day.
How long would you allow to get from Colchester to seated in the grandstand by race start?
The traffic problems of the past have largely been solved, but it does massively depend on what time you arrive. Obviously, the earlier you go, the less the problem is. People still queue at the gates, waiting for them to open in the early morning at a time when only officials, marshals and medics are allowed in. It also depends on the security threat level at the time, and how many bags you bring as to how long any bag searches will take at the gate.
It also depends on which direction you are coming from, where you park, or whether you use a park and ride facility, and where your seat is, and whether you have "centre access" or are going to buy a centre access pass, because that might provide you with a shortcut.
It will also depend on the weather as to how accessible car parks are, and on how large the crowd is.
It also depends on which direction you are coming from, where you park, or whether you use a park and ride facility, and where your seat is, and whether you have "centre access" or are going to buy a centre access pass, because that might provide you with a shortcut.
It will also depend on the weather as to how accessible car parks are, and on how large the crowd is.
LucyP said:
The traffic problems of the past have largely been solved, but it does massively depend on what time you arrive. Obviously, the earlier you go, the less the problem is. People still queue at the gates, waiting for them to open in the early morning at a time when only officials, marshals and medics are allowed in. It also depends on the security threat level at the time, and how many bags you bring as to how long any bag searches will take at the gate.
It also depends on which direction you are coming from, where you park, or whether you use a park and ride facility, and where your seat is, and whether you have "centre access" or are going to buy a centre access pass, because that might provide you with a shortcut.
It will also depend on the weather as to how accessible car parks are, and on how large the crowd is.
Generally those that queue early have General Access tickets so need to claim a good seat early. If the OP is booking a grandstand seat then they won’t need to queue too much. I’d say go and camp though, great atmosphere in Woodlands!It also depends on which direction you are coming from, where you park, or whether you use a park and ride facility, and where your seat is, and whether you have "centre access" or are going to buy a centre access pass, because that might provide you with a shortcut.
It will also depend on the weather as to how accessible car parks are, and on how large the crowd is.
Teddy Lop said:
Its everyone getting out after the race that's normally bedlam, there's a good argument that the F1 shouldn't be the last race...
Thought that when I went in 2017. The F1 finished and that was it. There should have been another race after to watch. Walking on the track was nice though!
LucyP said:
The traffic problems of the past have largely been solved, but it does massively depend on what time you arrive. Obviously, the earlier you go, the less the problem is. People still queue at the gates, waiting for them to open in the early morning at a time when only officials, marshals and medics are allowed in. It also depends on the security threat level at the time, and how many bags you bring as to how long any bag searches will take at the gate.
It also depends on which direction you are coming from, where you park, or whether you use a park and ride facility, and where your seat is, and whether you have "centre access" or are going to buy a centre access pass, because that might provide you with a shortcut.
It will also depend on the weather as to how accessible car parks are, and on how large the crowd is.
Yep, it will be a grandstand seat, left over from this year. I'll be with 2 or 3 others; I'd much rather go up the day before, stay nearby and do it sensibly but they seem determined to do it all in a day for some reason. I hate early starts and the prospect of being stuck in a back seat for 8 hours in traffic is a combination that has me heading for the refund option.It also depends on which direction you are coming from, where you park, or whether you use a park and ride facility, and where your seat is, and whether you have "centre access" or are going to buy a centre access pass, because that might provide you with a shortcut.
It will also depend on the weather as to how accessible car parks are, and on how large the crowd is.
No park and ride or centre access as far as I know.
Direction-wise we'd be coming from the Cambridge side so I guess we'd come up from Milton Keynes on the A5 then left at Heathencote and batter our way cross country the last few miles. So if from the front gate to the seat is an hour, it's the last bit of road that I'd like have a time guesstimate for over and above what it would normally be (3 hours).
Teddy Lop said:
Its everyone getting out after the race that's normally bedlam, there's a good argument that the F1 shouldn't be the last race...
In Abu Dhabi there were big named concerts in an attempt to avoid this. There were added crowds though as non race goers were coming in as race goers were leavers. 
At the European GP at Donington the BTCC was run after the F1.
Simpo Two said:
Yep, it will be a grandstand seat, left over from this year. I'll be with 2 or 3 others; I'd much rather go up the day before, stay nearby and do it sensibly but they seem determined to do it all in a day for some reason. I hate early starts and the prospect of being stuck in a back seat for 8 hours in traffic is a combination that has me heading for the refund option.
No park and ride or centre access as far as I know.
Direction-wise we'd be coming from the Cambridge side so I guess we'd come up from Milton Keynes on the A5 then left at Heathencote and batter our way cross country the last few miles. So if from the front gate to the seat is an hour, it's the last bit of road that I'd like have a time guesstimate for over and above what it would normally be (3 hours).
parking away from the madness and cycling/scooting in is often touted.No park and ride or centre access as far as I know.
Direction-wise we'd be coming from the Cambridge side so I guess we'd come up from Milton Keynes on the A5 then left at Heathencote and batter our way cross country the last few miles. So if from the front gate to the seat is an hour, it's the last bit of road that I'd like have a time guesstimate for over and above what it would normally be (3 hours).
Teddy Lop said:
parking away from the madness and cycling/scooting in is often touted.
Don't think bikes is an option, I haven't got one, the car won't have the racking gubbins for bikes, and one of our party, if he joins us, is 70-ish. The day is supposed to be fun not an Olympic event :-)paulguitar said:
I'd suggest parking a short walk from the circuit, you can save a lot of time that way. I like to park south of the circuit, having approached through Stowe village.
Interesting idea. So basically get as close as you can, then dump it and leg it.Must admit a helicopter is starting to appeal...! (though the others wouldn't accept it which is making life difficult).
Simpo Two said:
paulguitar said:
I'd suggest parking a short walk from the circuit, you can save a lot of time that way. I like to park south of the circuit, having approached through Stowe village.
Interesting idea. So basically get as close as you can, then dump it and leg it.Must admit a helicopter is starting to appeal...! (though the others wouldn't accept it which is making life difficult).
The helicopter is a great way to take the stress out of it. I did that in 1988. My dad paid!
paulguitar said:
There are various farmers' fields that turn into car parks for big events. The attraction is that you cut out the worst of the traffic after the race.
I quite like the idea of the farmer's fields, but how reliable are they? - ie availability and also condition if wet.My colleagues are talking about official parking at £50 a car which I presume is in the circuit, but could the field option be quicker and cheaper?
Simpo Two said:
paulguitar said:
There are various farmers' fields that turn into car parks for big events. The attraction is that you cut out the worst of the traffic after the race.
I quite like the idea of the farmer's fields, but how reliable are they? - ie availability and also condition if wet.My colleagues are talking about official parking at £50 a car which I presume is in the circuit, but could the field option be quicker and cheaper?
https://silverstone-campsite.co.uk/
paulguitar said:
Website needs a bit of an update! We staid there once when Whittlebury was full. Never again! The toilets were overflowing by Sunday, and they didn’t allow the campers to use the main facilities on the Sunday as they reserved them for a vip do. That was a few years ago, so maybe they’ve got their act together by now
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