Silverstone, United Kingdom
Silverstone's first motorcycle Grand Prix event was held in 1977, and also happened to the first to be held on the British mainland. Prior to 1977, the British round of the World Championship had been held since 1949 on the Isle of Man TT circuit. From 1988 to 2009 the World Championship racing moved to Donington Park, but returned to Silverstone in 2010 after the 23 years break.
The UK has produced some of the best riders in the history of the World Championship. From Mike Hailwood and John Surtees to Phil Read and the legendary Barry Sheene. A number of Britons, such as Cal Crutchlow, Scott Redding, Bradley Smith and Sam Lowes now represent their country in MotoGP™.
Why we love the UK and Silverstone
Whether you head straight to the picturesque British countryside around Silverstone in the south of the Midlands or visit the immense capital London, travelling to the UK is an enriching experience.
London is one of the world’s most important cities, one of the largest in Europe and the second most popular city on the planet for tourists after Bangkok in Thailand, with 20 million people paying a visit annually.
You could spend two weeks in England’s capital and still have plenty more to see with the city’s many monuments, parks, palaces and bustling shopping districts.
Elsewhere in the UK the Lake District in the north of England, the Cotswolds in the south, Cornwall on the south coast, the Scottish Highlands and the mountains of Wales are all wonderful places to spend a few days.
Useful Information
Capital: London
Time zone: GMT
Currency: Pound sterling (sign: £, code: GBP)
Electric plug type: G
Important telephone numbers:
Emergency services: 999
Citizens Advice: +44 3444 111 444
Heathrow Airport: +44 844 335 1801
Birmingham airport: +44 871 222 0072
Circuit: http://www.silverstone.co.uk/
Heathrow Airport: http://www.heathrow.com/
Birmingham Airport https://www.birminghamairport.co.uk/
Language: English
Weather: The UK is famous for its often damp, mild weather but in truth it is a temperate climate. MotoGP™ visits Silverstone at the end of August with an average maximum daily temperature of 21°C (70°F) and an average low of 14°C (57°F). There is a 31% chance of rain per day in August at Silverstone so take your waterproof jacket and an umbrella.
Finding the right accommodation
With so many people visiting the UK every year, and lots of people moving around the country every day, there is an abundance of accommodation for visitors and travelers on this busy island.
Whether you are looking for a campsite, somewhere to park a motorhome, a B&B guesthouse (bed and breakfast), a rented apartment or cottage, or hotel there are options to suit any price range within a few miles of Silverstone.
There are guesthouses and hotels which cater just for visitors to the immediate local area, however if they are booked up there are always places to stay in the nearby towns of Towcester, Brackley and Northampton or anywhere close along the M40 or M1 motorways.
Exploring the South of England
The south of England has a great deal to offer and from Silverstone you can reach London in less than two hours.
Once in the capital you can spend a few days visiting the likes of Buckingham Palace, the Tower of London and Hyde Park. Also not to be missed should be the British Museum, however you do need to allow yourself a good couple of hours to get through the number of amazing exhibitions.
Big Ben and Parliament, Westminster Abbey, The London Eye, Piccadilly Circus and Trafalgar Square, St Paul's Cathedral, Kew Gardens, Soho and Covent Garden, are also a list of popular stops on 'must-see' the tourist route.
Closer to Silverstone talk a stroll around the pleasant town of Royal Leamington Spa, visit historic Warwick or spend an afternoon in Stratford – the birthplace of William Shakespeare.
Other cities such as Birmingham, Northampton and Oxford are all within fairly easy reach of Silverstone and have rich histories. The array of local cultural highlights, from museums, to famous colleges and universities, to concerts, art galleries, brilliant bars and great restaurants will not disappoint.
Tips for visiting the south of England
Like other parts of England the area surrounding Silverstone has some great pubs, with every city and town having plenty of good ‘watering holes’. Once you get out into the picturesque English countryside it is often the case that smaller villages have some of the coziest and friendliest pubs of them all.
Not all pubs offer food though, and ‘pub grub’ - as the English call it - can be something of a lottery. With a little forward planning, or simply asking the locals, you can find a welcoming tavern and excellent meals on offer.
Try a Ploughman’s Lunch (meat, cheese and pickles), a serving of fish ‘n’ chips, the traditional roast beef, or a steak and ale pie. Local ales from around the country are often on tap in the best English pubs, so try Newcastle Brown Ale, Theakston’s Old Peculier, Morland Old Speckled Hen, Hook Norton’s Old Hooky or Badger’s Tanglefoot if you see them being lined up by the barman.
Also, Red Leicester or Blue Stilton cheeses are delicious and a top quality Melton Mowbray pork pie is a true English delicacy. For the more daring try a pickled egg or pickled onion from behind the bar!