Silverstone

My son is on crutches and often uses a wheelchair (manual). I was a bit apprehensive about taking him to the British GP at Silverstone but his accessibility requirements were very well met. Parking was very simple. So long as you had a disabled badge and a disable pass you waved on into your car park. For us this was right next to the disabled access gate. From here you can get an accessibility bus which can take you all round the circuit - you just need to ask one of the "Racemakers" and the organise a pick up and drop off where you want. This was really useful. We had tickets for an accessible stand. We had seats but there was a lot of room at the front for wheelchair users. There was a ramp up into the stand. For toilets I recommend you get a RADAR key as these toilets are right next to the accessible stands. Very useful again. One thing I would advise is getting a motor for your wheelchair or hire one of the scooters. Its a big circuit so once inside if you want to move around it just makes life a lot easier. I didn't have either but to be honest lots and lots of people offered to help me push my sons wheelchair around when I was struggling a bit. The real heroes for me were the race makers that were everywhere. They were all amazing and nothing was ever too much trouble. We got to know the two in our stand really well. They were very very friendly and super approachable. (See photo). Thank you guys you were fabulous.

I am classed as Ambulant disabled and visited using a rollator/chair and cane. I was apprehensive about the weekend due to previous online reviews. Silverstone is an old airfield and not the easiest place to visit, it requires a lot of preparation and research. I do believe they have made improvements in accessibility and hopefully will continue to do so. Accessible platform tickets are purchased directly from Silverstone by application. If you wish to buy grandstand tickets, you should buy the number required then apply for a carer refund within two weeks of purchase. The application form was no problem and evidence was provided by submitting my Access Card. The refund was issued quickly. There are improvements needed to meet a diverse range of requirements, and I hope Silverstone continue working to make it accessible for all. It was an exhilarating weekend.

I visited the BTCC event this year and was frustrated to find that disabled people still have to park outside the circuit in car park 50, this is to the right of the roundabout in front of the main gate. Luckily for me I was able to get a friend to pick me up in one of their team's golf buggies and was then given one of their team passes for their car park within the track, but if you're disabled you have to walk an awful long way over two bridges to get to the paddock, but if you want disabled viewing you need to walk further over either uneven ground on very busy pavements. Disabled viewing is uncovered. In fact there isn't any covered searing for us, there aren't any grandstands for wheelchairs or mobility impaired people. They do offer mobility scooters, but at a stupid price. Had it not been for my friends there, I would not attend for any event.