Disclosure: We were gifted press tickets for our first visit and have since been back as paying customers
Christmas celebrations in 2020 have been really quite strange. Normally we tend to take the children to at least one festive experience, to see Santa, trees or reindeer, but with the current social distancing regulations, most attractions are either cancelled or restricted. So when we were invited to make the 70 mile trip to Silverstone to experience their Lap Land exhibition, we jumped at the opportunity.
Iconic Silverstone
The Silverstone race circuit is the most well-known track in the UK. Home of the British Grand Prix and one of the venues on the British Touring Car Championship calendar, MotoGP and Superbikes, Silverstone has seen some of the greatest drivers and riders piloting vehicles around the circuit. Greg and Olly have been to the circuit previously to watch the touring cars, and we all came earlier in the year to visit the new Silverstone Experience for Olly’s birthday back in February. However, this was a completely different experience; the opportunity to actually drive a lap of the track!
New concept for 2020
Lap Land is a new concept designed by Silverstone for 2020. The circuit has been transformed from an international racing venue into a spectacular light show, where ticket holders are able to drive their own vehicles onto the track and around most of the circuit – for a family that are very much fans of motorsport this was right up our street (or track perhaps?!)
After leaving the West Midlands, we took the hour and a half drive down to the track, which is situated just outside Towcester in Northamptonshire. We were all very excited to arrive at the track, and we even spotted the lightshow from the motorway as we approached the circuit. We were a little earlier for our time slot, so we first of all pulled into the car park, the designated ‘pit stop’ for a quick toilet stop. There was also an opportunity to buy some refreshments and light toys for our journey. We also tuned in to the circuit radio station on 87.7FM, so we could listen to Christmas music and the commentary to accompany our visit.
Driving on the famous Silverstone circuit
Once our time slot arrived, we drove onto the circuit and after a quick wave to the entertainers leading the way, we were directed around the infield and joined the track at Luffield corner. This was especially exciting for Olly and Greg as it was there that they had sat in the stands watching the racing on their last visit to the track in 2019.
We then followed the track around towards the national pit straight and headed into the pit lane, again a very exciting moment for the boys. There is an on-track speed limit of 5mph and cars have to keep moving forward, leaving a suitable 5 car gap between your car and the car in front. We exited the pit straight and headed onto the main circuit and seeing the familiar red and white kerbs to the left and right of us was quite awe-inspiring!
Incredible light show
The light show was about to begin, and as we came out of Copse corner and towards Maggotts, we finally saw the first of the light exhibitions. As the line of cars made their way processionally along the circuit, we were greeted with laser lights, huge glass baubles, and chasing lights, all of which wowed the boys as much as the fact that here we were driving around ACTUAL Silverstone! We continued to make our way into Chapel Curve and then down onto Hangar Straight, where there were more light displays. We were very impressed with the display at Stowe, where some huge boxes were lit up by tens of lights, looking like a huge cube wall alongside the track.
Lots of photo opportunities
We continued on along the iconic circuit into Vale, and we saw the enormous spectator stand with the track name emblazoned on it all lit up – one of our favourite photo opportunities. It was also at this point where we had a shout out from the radio commentator, which was really cool! I had sent a tweet using the official hashtag and we had it read out on the radio station! The Christmas tunes were flowing and spirits were high as we all took in the lights and sights.
Driving down the Hamilton Straight
We then came to probably our favourite bit. As we rounded the corner at Club, we caught sight of Santa and an elf inside a huge glass display. They gave us all a cheery wave as we drove slowly by, and we then entered the international pit straight, which has recently been renamed the Hamilton Straight in honour of multiple world Formula One champion Lewis Hamilton. Driving alongside the main stand and team garages, heading up to the starting grid and the iconic start/finish line was very special, and as we passed under the light gantry, we were all a little lost for words – we never thought we would ever be on this part of such a famous racetrack!
Our journey was almost at its conclusion, but not before heading around Abbey corner to be greeted by spectacular fire cannons. This signalled the end of our journey around the circuit, which had taken us around 45 minutes from start to finish. There was an added extra option at this point for an additional cost to visit the drive-in cinema on the infield for a showing of ‘The Snowman’, however as we had a reasonable journey home (and on a school night!) we decided to decline this. We therefore were directed to make our way off the circuit just after Abbey, and we ended up back at the beginning of the experience, ready to head for home.
A fantastic festive experience for motorsport fans
We absolutely loved our journey around Lap Land. The lights were fantastic, and the circuit show had been spectacularly designed so that there was always something to see. The experience of driving around the iconic straights and corners was amazing, and the boys were in their absolute element. There were lots of stewards and marshals guiding the way, and the recognisable Silverstone safety cars were positioned at key points, ensuring a safe passage through for all visitors. After heading home, Olly was so excited to tell all his friends that he wanted some of the photographs printed out ready to take to school the next day.
Overall, we highly recommend the Silverstone Lap Land experience. If you love light shows and a safe festive evening out, it is brilliant, and if you are a motorsport enthusiast too it will be the perfect Christmas experience for all of the family.
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