Silverstone Museum (Family Trip)

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A visit to Silverstone Museum had been eagerly anticipated by our two boys, aged four and six. Both are fascinated by racing cars, so the thought of spending a day surrounded by legendary machines at the home of British motorsport was always going to be a winner. The museum promises an interactive journey through the history of Silverstone, with plenty of hands-on exhibits designed to keep families entertained. 

From the moment we arrived, the excitement was obvious. The boys loved seeing the racing cars up close, spotting different designs, and being able to get a real sense of the size and detail of the vehicles. One of their favourite parts was the interactive lab area, where they could touch different materials, explore how things feel and learn about the science behind racing technology. It was exactly the sort of practical, hands-on experience that works brilliantly for younger children.

One thing worth mentioning for families with smaller children is the opening experience. Before entering the main museum, visitors take part in the recreated starting grid experience, which uses immersive video screens, sound effects and racing atmosphere to recreate the build-up to a race. It is a clever and exciting idea, and older children will probably love the drama of standing on the grid as the engines roar and the lights go out. 

However, for our four-year-old, it was a little overwhelming. The combination of flashing images, loud engine noises and the feeling of being surrounded by a race start was quite scary. There is an exit door available, but it is not particularly obvious to find, and the main doors into the museum are not opened until the video experience has finished. It would be helpful if families with younger or more sensitive children were made aware of this before entering, or if there was a clearer option to skip this section.

Once inside the museum itself, the boys were back in their element. There is plenty to see and do, and the combination of real cars, interactive displays and activities means it never feels like a traditional museum where children are simply expected to look but not touch. 

The highlight of the day was saved until the end: The Ultimate Lap. The IMAX-style presentation was a fantastic finale, putting you right into the action with the sights, sounds and atmosphere of a lap around Silverstone. Both boys were completely captivated, and it was probably the moment they talked about most afterwards. The experience is designed as the grand finale of the museum visit, taking visitors through some of Silverstone’s most iconic moments. 

Another unexpected bonus was simply being at Silverstone itself. The atmosphere of the circuit adds something special to the visit. Sitting in the café and watching cars flying around the track while hearing the engines in the background made the whole day feel like a proper motorsport experience rather than just a museum trip.

Overall, Silverstone Museum is a brilliant family day out, especially for children who love cars, racing or anything mechanical. Our two boys came away full of excitement, talking about their favourite cars and the sounds of the engines. The only thing we would suggest for families with younger children is to be prepared for the opening grid experience — it is impressive, but it can be intense.

Once past that first few minutes, though, it is a fantastic place where children can explore, learn and get genuinely excited about motorsport. A great day out for racing fans of all ages.

Video

We spoke to the CEO of Silverstone Museum Phil Laurie about what's in store for families this Summer