If you’re an F1 fan, then the Silverstone Museum is an unmissable destination. I recently visited with my husband and two teenage daughters, who are huge Formula 1 fans. I’m no motoring buff and didn’t really know what to expect, but I really enjoyed it. It allows you to get an F1 fix in person at a fraction of the price of a ticket to the actual race at Silverstone!
Nestled in the heart of British motorsport, the Silverstone Museum offers an immersive journey through racing history that’s sure to captivate both ardent Formula 1 enthusiasts and casual fans alike. During our recent family visit, accompanied by our two teenage daughters—both passionate F1 followers—we discovered a treasure trove of interactive exhibits and historical insights that left us all exhilarated.
The museum is housed in a restored World War II hangar, adding an extra layer of historical significance to the experience. As we entered the building, we saw Lewis Hamilton’s championship-winning Mercedes suspended from the ceiling, reminiscent of the Natural History Museum’s iconic whale exhibit. This dramatic introduction sets the tone for the F1 adventure that unfolds inside.
In this lobby area, you’ll also find the café and souvenir shop, which offers a range of F1 replica clothing, gifts, and more. However, we found that the larger F1 store at the Silverstone race track (shown below), about a five-minute walk away, was slightly cheaper.
When you collect your tickets, you have two options on this self-guided tour: go upstairs to the museum itself or head outside to walk on the actual Heritage Trail Track at Silverstone. Because of the rain, we chose to visit the museum first, starting with a special effects pre-show. We were placed on the starting grid, surrounded by large multimedia screens showing cars from Silverstone’s past and present, with commentary from Sky Sports commentators David Croft and Martin Brundle. It really heightened the excitement for all of us as we waited to go inside.
Once inside, this vast museum covers Silverstone’s evolution—from its origins as a monastery and later a wartime airfield for Wellington bombers during the Second World War to becoming the world-famous racing circuit we know today. There is so much history at Silverstone that I wasn’t aware of, with lots of military memorabilia. For kids, there are plenty of interactive exhibits, including the chance to test their skills by downing balloons with an anti-aircraft gun.
Our favourite exhibit was the Scalextric-scale replica of the Silverstone track, where we had the chance to race each other around the circuit. In an age of smartphones and high-tech gadgets, this was the kids’ first time using Scalextric, and they loved it. The attention to detail on the model was astounding, with every corner of the circuit expertly replicated—even down to the Red Arrows flying overhead.
As we learnt about Silverstone hosting its first Grand Prix in 1948 and its first Formula 1 race in 1950, we explored numerous exhibits showcasing its history, including certificates, trophies, and classic race cars. One highlight was a Grand Prix car from 1948 that you could sit in, making for a fun photo opportunity.
I particularly liked the panoramic bird’s-eye view over the floor below, providing a unique vantage point of the large number of race cars and motorbikes on display.
The ground floor of the museum was our favourite, featuring a 2020-liveried Racing Point Formula 1 car, Nigel Mansell’s famous ‘Red 5’ Williams FW14B, and one of Lewis Hamilton’s race suits. My daughter is a McLaren fan, and what captured her attention was seeing the actual helmet worn by Lando Norris in last year’s British Grand Prix.
There are so many photo opportunities here, with cabinets full of race trophies and iconic race cars—from Indianapolis 500 classics to modern-day F2 and F1 cars. Being able to see these cars up close was incredible, and it really put into perspective just how small the driving space is in these race cars.
The future tech area was particularly interesting, offering a glimpse into the future of F1 with interactive touchscreen displays. Equally fascinating was the tech lab area, which provided insights into the technology behind motor racing.
One of the museum’s standout features is its interactive exhibits, which really bring the experience to life—especially for me as an F1 novice. There were hands-on displays and videos explaining how modern race cars work, as well as the chance to test our reaction times with a pit stop challenge.
The girls also had the opportunity to try their hand at race commentary, which they loved, and we all tried the braking tool, which demonstrated how much pedal power is needed to stop a race car compared to a typical road vehicle. These hands-on experiences bridged the gap between the hardcore technical aspects of motorsport and the curiosity of those, like me, who just want to understand what all the fuss is about!
There are also state-of-the-art simulator suites where you can race cars virtually around the Silverstone track. It looked very similar to the F1 Arcade experience in London and Birmingham (which I highly recommend if you haven’t been). However, we skipped the simulator at Silverstone as pre-booking is essential, and at £20 per person, it’s not cheap for a family of four—though it is high-end entertainment.
This part of the tour ended in a large, immersive 360-degree cinema room, which took us behind the wheel for a virtual lap, racing against Lewis Hamilton and other legends who have competed at Silverstone.
This set things up perfectly for our first time out on the actual Silverstone track. The rain had cleared, allowing us to walk on parts of the circuit that are no longer used for racing, including the now-decommissioned Bridge Corner, which features a huge Lewis Hamilton and David Coulthard mural.
Unfortunately, there were no track activities taking place on the main circuit during our visit, but Luffield Terrace offers some fantastic vantage points.
We had a really fun-filled morning here and stayed for over three hours—but we could have easily spent longer if we didn’t have a long drive home to consider. There is so much to see and do that you could easily spend hours here if you stopped to watch all the videos and explore every exhibit at the museum, as well as walk the full Heritage Trail.
A Stay at the Hilton Garden Inn Silverstone
What made our visit to the Silverstone Museum even more memorable was that we combined it with a stay at arguably one of the most unique Hilton hotels in the world. The Hilton Garden Inn Silverstone is a dream destination for F1 and racing fans, uniquely positioned overlooking the iconic Silverstone Circuit. We had two track-facing rooms with balconies directly overlooking the finish line. Waking up, opening the curtains, and seeing the circuit right in front of us was an incredible experience.
The views from the roof terrace were just as impressive, offering a panorama of large sections of the track. When we visited, the Monaco GP was on, and the roof terrace was packed with race fans watching on the giant TV screens.
We booked this using our Hilton Honours points, and when there are no race events on, you can stay here for a reasonable rate—making it a must-visit for F1 fans looking for a truly distinctive stay. Another bonus of staying at the Hilton Garden Inn Silverstone is access to discounted tickets for the Silverstone Museum.
Overall
For families considering a trip, the Silverstone Museum is a highly entertaining and educational experience. Whether you’re an F1 fan or new to the world of racing, it’s well worth a visit. If you’re also looking for a hotel, I’d highly recommend combining your visit with a stay at the Hilton Garden Inn Silverstone, which is no more than a 10-minute walk away.
For the latest admission prices and opening hours, you’ll need to book in advance via the official museum website.