After booking your Formula One or MotoGP tickets for Silverstone, the perfect place to stay is key to maximising your race weekend experience.
Your accommodation options in the local area include hotels, camping/glamping sites or self-catering through websites such as Airbnb (www.airbnb.co.uk). A handful of Silverstone residents advertise rooms or their whole property on Airbnb, mainly for the F1.
Local hotels can get booked up early by whole race teams and are often expensive for the race weekends. If you don’t feel the need to be right on the edge of the track at the new Escapade development (https://escapade.silverstone.co.uk/) and camping is just not your style, you may find that an Airbnb offers a unique and often more affordable way to experience the British Grand Prix or MotoGP.
For the past 16 years, Silverstone Village has been my home and workplace. I’ve seen first-hand the challenge racegoers face in finding available accommodation and navigating the road closures. This personal experience, combined with my own family’s love of Airbnb stays, in both the UK and Europe, has shaped my understanding of what travellers truly value. Like our own group trips with 8-10 adults and children, we value the comfort and unique charm of a home away from home, along with the flexibility it provides.
In 2012 we started renting out our property in Silverstone. Perfect for families or groups of between 6-10 people. It’s conveniently located less than a mile from Silverstone Circuit, yet still within easy reach of the village shop and pub.
You can take a look here – https://www.airbnb.co.uk/rooms/6238223?source_impression_id=p3_1738612400_P3tM1PaIvNs1zH6y
Read on to discover some of my tips for booking the perfect Airbnb for your Silverstone stay.
Why is Silverstone accommodation in such high demand?
Silverstone is one of the few rural locations on the F1 calendar and this means nearby accommodation is in high demand. The village is small, at just over 2500 inhabitants and is located in South Northamptonshire between junction 15A of the M1 and junction 10 of the M40. The village has one pub (The White Horse) and a well-stocked village shop with post office. The Home of the British Grand Prix is approximately half a mile south of the village.
In 2024, almost half a million people visited Silverstone Circuit for the British Grand Prix, now the UK’s largest sporting event, with more than 160,000 spectators on race day (Sunday 7th July 2024) alone. This influx of people puts immense pressure on the local infrastructure, particularly roads and accommodation. With such a large number of visitors descending upon a small village, it’s easy to understand why local roads become congested and accommodation is booked well in advance.
Why choose an Airbnb for Silverstone events?
- Flexibility: Enjoy the freedom to cook your own meals, come and go as you please, and experience the local area at your own pace.
- Great value: Often more affordable than hotels, especially for groups, Airbnb can help you save money on accommodation, leaving more for tickets and race-day fun. Airbnb’s are also suitable for Race Teams, Sponsors and Media Personnel, that require easy and convenient access to Silverstone Circuit.
- Ideal for families: Search for family-friendly accommodation with amenities like cots, high chairs and toys. By choosing to stay in a whole property it makes it easier to maintain children’s bedtime routines than staying in a single hotel room.
- Local Experience: Stay with local hosts who can provide insider tips on the best places to eat, drink, and explore around Silverstone.
- Safe and secure payments: Once your reservation is confirmed, your card will be charged. The host doesn’t receive payment until 24 hours after your scheduled check-in and you have confirmed you are happy that the property is as described.
Tips for Booking an Airbnb
- Book early: For Silverstone events, start looking at least a year in advance and be aware of when dates are announced for the following year’s race, as this is when many people start to make enquiries.
- Consider your budget: Prices vary significantly depending on the size of the accommodation and proximity to the circuit. Sharing Airbnb accommodation with friends or family can significantly reduce the cost per person and you can cook some meals yourself if you don’t want to pay the high food prices at the circuit.
- Location, Location, Location: Staying within walking distance of the circuit is ideal as it means you won’t get stuck in the Silverstone traffic. This will give you more time to enjoy the weekend. Check the listing to make sure you know how far you are from the circuit. If you’re staying in a local town like Towcester or Northampton consider options like shuttle buses and taxis. However, it will be more difficult getting in and out of Silverstone especially on Race days and if you do drive in you’ll have to pay for parking. This local CIC raises money through F1 parking to benefit the children of Silverstone Village – https://silverstoneschoolparking.co.uk/
- Read reviews: Take a look at reviews from previous guests. Look for comments on cleanliness, comfort, location, and the host’s communication.
- Amenities: Make sure your accommodation has all the facilities you require such as good WIFI, off-road parking (many of the main routes in Silverstone are coned for large events and therefore street parking isn’t permitted), a washing machine/dryer, BBQ, bedding etc.
- Online grocery order: To make your stay really easy you could make an online grocery order for delivery at your Airbnb. Just ask your host whether they would take in a food order the day before you arrive meaning no need to stock up at the busy supermarkets.
- Communicate with the host: On Airbnb, in most cases you’ll deal direct with the property owner. This makes it easy to ask the host any questions you have about the property, the area, or getting to the circuit. Clear communication and organisation can help ensure a smooth and enjoyable stay.
Beyond the Race
While your trip to see the racing is the main event, if you are able to arrive earlier than race weekend and/or stay longer in an Airbnb why not make the most of it and explore the surrounding area. This will help you miss the worst of the traffic too.
Places to visit include Silverstone Museum https://www.silverstonemuseum.co.uk/, Stowe Gardens https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/oxfordshire-buckinghamshire-berkshire/stowe-gardens and the historic town of Towcester. Plus Designer Shopping Outlet – Bicester Village is only 30 minutes away https://www.thebicestercollection.com/bicester-village/en/brands/
Ready to Book?
Start your search for the perfect Airbnb on the Airbnb website or app. Use the filters to narrow down your options based on your preferences and number of guests. With a little planning, you can find a fantastic Airbnb that will make your stay even more memorable.
In addition, if you are looking for accommodation for other Motorsport events at Silverstone Circuit including Formula Student, Silverstone Festival and British Touring Cars you may find an Airbnb property that is suitable for these events too.
To find out more about booking our property in Silverstone for any motorsport events please contact rosanne@silverstonedesignsolutions.com