A brilliant day out for racing fans and curious families

You don’t have to know every Formula One champion to enjoy Silverstone Museum. The museum brings together the stories, cars and characters of British motorsport with interactive displays that give everyone something to try. We visited as a family and all really enjoyed it. The friendly staff helped make the day feel welcoming from the moment we arrived.

There is plenty to see inside, including historic racing cars and hands-on exhibits about what happens behind the scenes on race day. It is a lovely mix of looking, learning and getting involved, so children who might not want to spend hours reading information boards still have things to do. The museum suggests allowing around two to three hours, although there is no time limit on your visit. We spent around 3 hours there for reference, which included stopping for food in the cafe.

Try the VR experience and racing simulator

One of the highlights is the VR experience, Black Cats & Chequered Flags, which tells the story of Formula One champion Alberto Ascari. It is an immersive experience that takes you into the world of early Grand Prix racing and the superstitions that surrounded him. The VR experience is an extra, and you also need a museum admission ticket. Prices currently start from £15, although availability and prices can change, so check when booking.

The Sim Suite gives you the chance to try a professional-style racing simulator and take on the Silverstone circuit yourself, or another they may have available. We raced around Mexico City. Sessions last 30 minutes, including the briefing, and prices start from £15. It needs to be booked separately from museum entry, and spaces are limited, so booking ahead is a good idea. The simulator has a minimum height requirement of 140cm, which is worth checking if a younger family member is keen to have a go. There is nothing worse than having a child who is excited to take part in something and finding out they are not tall enough!

Go-karts, a café and friendly faces

We also enjoyed watching the go-karts racing around the track outside the museum. Seeing the action on track adds a little extra excitement to the visit, and it is a lovely reminder that Silverstone is still a living motorsport venue, not just somewhere to look back at racing history. The museum’s outdoor Heritage Track Trail is included with admission and leads towards the karting area, although it can close on some dates, so check before you travel if you are hoping to walk it.

When it was time for a break, the on-site Refuel Café was a welcome stop. It serves hot and cold food, snacks and treats, with a children’s lunch box option too. The café is open daily, although hot food is served only until 3pm, so check the latest details if you are planning lunch there.

One of the things we appreciated was how friendly the staff were. That can make a real difference on a family day out, especially somewhere with lots of different experiences to work out and book. We found the whole visit welcoming and easy to enjoy.

Tickets, parking and planning your visit

At the time of writing, museum tickets start at £24 per person when booked online or £29 on the day. Child tickets for ages 5–15 start at £15, and under-fives go free, although they still need a ticket. Discounts are available for family tickets and concessions. The VR and simulator are extra experiences, so remember to include those in your budget if you want to try them.

Parking is free in the car park directly in front of the museum, which makes arrival straightforward. On major race-event weekends, parking arrangements can be different, and you may be directed to other public car parks. Opening times and the Heritage Track Trail schedule can also vary, so it is worth checking the museum’s calendar before setting off.

A family visit we all enjoyed

Silverstone Museum gave us a good balance of things to do together: exploring the displays, trying the VR and simulator, taking a break in the café and watching the go-karts outside. You can enjoy the visit even if you are not a lifelong motorsport fan, and there is enough variety to keep different ages interested.

We all came away having had a really enjoyable day. If you are looking for a family attraction with a bit of history, hands-on fun and the chance to see racing in action, Silverstone Museum is well worth considering.