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Hello
I am hoping to buy my husband tickets to Silverstone f1 for his 30th, however he is a full-time wheelchair user and wondering if anyone here has experienced visiting in a wheelchair (or with someone) and could give me some insight.

Looking at some negative reviews on TripAdvisor they seem to relate more to the ambulant disabled and their concerns/problems may not apply to us.

Many thanks

I wouldn't know what the full experience would like for a wheelchair user, but from what I remember when I went, unless you go all out for him and get VIP access to the main building and paddock area, it may not that good of an experience for him.

Most of the actual tarmac paths aren't overly useful for getting around close to the track and the disabled seating didn't look very wheelchair friendly, the big screens weren't very visible for moat seating and the main grounds around the track are frankly awful.

Of course he may enjoy the experience of simply being there, hearing the cars and spending time with other race fans. I know for me as a fully abled person in the main stands that was the best part of the weekend as the 'spectacle' was pretty non-existent even with good seats!

Just my 2 cents worth, and I'm sure the experience in the main paddock would be much better.

That’s useful to know, thankyou.

Doubt I could afford the paddock access!

I should probably mention he is in an electric wheelchair, not sure whether that would make any difference.

You'll both know what it's like on uneven and possibly muddy paths better than anyone else.

I do also remember that they do have ramp access to the wheelchair seating areas if that helps at all. And as someone who hates trip advisor with a passion, I'd also recommend trying to call the circuit directly to speak to someone there who can give you better information and answer specific questions you may have.

Can only really comment on what i've seen around the circuit in the General Admission areas. They park the wheelchair users at the front of the concrete steps that the use as the GA stands, so you get what is about as close to an unobstructed view as you can get in GA, albeit from what must be a fairly low angle. Most if not all of these areas have ramped access, and i've definitely seen Silverstone employees helping wheelchair users to get around these stands before, so i'm guessing they have some sort of assistance on offer.

I'm hoping all the disabled parking is in the main carparks near the front entrance, because getting to the circuit from the field parking areas is a challenge for anybody when the weather is as bad as it usually is around Grand Prix time (the mud gets horrendous), but from the main carpark the access is pretty good. From what I remember from running around the outside of the circuit/in and around the new complex, the road/path surfaces are a lot better than they were back in the early 2000s, although I remember the walkways on the bridges to the inner circuit area being rather narrow, no idea if that would cause an issue or not.

That's about all I can help with via my own experiences at Silverstone, hope you found any of the useful!

Thankyou both

I appreciate the perspective of accessibility from an able-bodied person is hard to judge (it’s the small things you don’t notice), he’s only been in a wheelchair about 2years, so has been a steep learning curve for us! Hoped to find someone on here who had a more direct experience, but again very grateful for any experiences.

Have you checked this? http://www.silverstone.co.uk/visiting/d ... formation/ If you are a blue Badge holder the car park is right outside the main entrance.

Yes I had looked at that, thankyou.

Often personal experiences gives more formation.

Chippet wrote:Yes I had looked at that, thankyou.

Often personal experiences gives more formation.

If you're unable to get some first-hand experience from others on the forum, have you considered doing a test run at a smaller event? http://www.silverstone.co.uk/events/vscc-pomeroy/
It's free entry to this, and it's only 2 weeks away so still plenty of time to get tickets for his 30th if it's a successful trip.

I'm not sure how far away it is for you but if it's not too far for you there are a few events like this in Feb and March. I'm sure it would help as well to be able to assess the accessibility yourselves at a less crowded event (F1 Race day is very busy).

Hope you get the answers you're looking for

Thankyou for the suggestion.

Unfortunately we are a 5 hour drive away, otherwise it would’ve been a good idea! The link you posted looks like a fun event too.

Might just take the chance and book tickets, if it’s awful, then it’s still an experience!!