Sunburn, sore feet, and tricky weather: Easy tips to help you enjoy the British Grand Prix without any problems!
The British Grand Prix is a must-visit for any motorsport fan—and it’s becoming a popular trip for even those who aren’t big F1 fans. I went to Silverstone last summer and had a fantastic time, but I definitely made some mistakes, especially since the race is in July (this year it’s July 2nd-5th).
I ended up with sunburn, sore feet, and a lighter wallet because I wasn’t fully prepared. But if you’re going in 2026, you don’t have to make the same mistakes! Here are some tips I’ll follow next time—and things I’d suggest you do before your first visit too.
First, pack a hat! It’s really important, especially if you’re not in a covered grandstand or lounge. Hats protect you from both sun and rain, and show which team or driver you support. I wore my Aston Martin bucket hat since I’m a big Fernando Alonso fan, and it kept the sun off my face and neck. It also fit the fun, festival vibe of the race. While you won’t see as many hats as at the Japanese Grand Prix, lots of people wear caps showing their favorite teams. Just a heads-up: hats at the track can be pricey (mine was £50), so buy one online beforehand if you want to save money.
Silverstone has free water refill stations around the track (usually near toilets). Bring a reusable water bottle to avoid paying high prices for drinks. Just remember, no glass bottles are allowed. I forgot mine and had to buy water before refilling it throughout the day.
The British summer weather can switch quickly between sun and rain, so bring sunscreen—even if it looks cloudy. You’ll likely be outside all day, especially if you have General Admission tickets, where it’s harder to take breaks. Silverstone is pretty windy since it used to be an airfield, so don’t be fooled by the cool breeze—I got sunburned on Friday because of it! Get sunscreen before the weekend starts.
The schedule is busy—F3 starts at 8:45 am on Friday, and the Porsche Supercup ends around 6:45 pm. Saturday and Sunday finish earlier, around 5 pm, but expect long days. If you watch from the right side of the track (Copse to Stowe), you’ll be looking west into the sun in the afternoon, so sunglasses are a must. Luckily, I brought mine—they really helped with all the sunlight bouncing off buildings and cars.
Silverstone is a long track—just over 3.6 miles—so there’s a lot to explore! You can easily walk over three miles just around the outside, and I walked 8.2 miles in one day trying to catch the action from different spots. Comfy shoes are essential! You don’t need hiking boots, but make sure your shoes have good grip and are comfortable for walking on grass, gravel, and some pavement. I wore gym trainers, which worked great. If you want F1-themed shoes, check out the McLaren and K-Swiss collaboration—they look good and are comfy.
Even though I said bring sunscreen, hat, and glasses, remember it’s Britain—rain is very possible! On race day last year, we had a downpour, and many got soaked. It was warm, so a heavy raincoat felt too hot. A lightweight jacket or poncho would be better—easy to carry and practical. Spare socks are a good idea too, in case your feet get wet. You can buy ponchos cheaply online, like a two-pack on the F1 store for £12, which is cheaper than at the track.
There’s loads to see and do all weekend, so bring a portable phone charger to keep your phone powered. With so many people and the rural location, phone signal can be weak and drain your battery fast. I remembered to bring a power bank last year, and it really came in handy.
Food at Silverstone is expensive and often crowded during breaks. It’s fine to bring your own snacks and non-alcoholic drinks (no alcohol or glass bottles allowed), so packing some tasty food can save time and money.
Some parts of the track are a little far from the action—like Maggotts and Becketts corners or the Copse grandstands—so binoculars are a great help if you don’t get a close spot early. I didn’t bring any and wished I had for Copse and the faster sections between corners. But don’t miss the inside of Brooklands corner—you can get really close to the cars there!
There’s been talk about changes in 2026, and one big update is that the cars will be louder. If you’re worried about your ears, bring earplugs. Hangar Straight is one of the loudest spots, and you can get within 20 meters of cars at full throttle. Copse is another noisy place. Grandstands along the Hamilton straight, especially Red Bull Pole Position, can be very close to the track, so ear protection is smart there too.
Even with big screens and speakers, it can be hard to hear what’s going on because of cars, crowds, and helicopters. Bringing a small radio tuned to Silverstone Radio (87.7 FM) and using headphones or earphones will help you catch the action and protect your hearing at the same time.
Feel free to bring a camera—you’re allowed handheld cameras and DSLRs, but lenses over 400mm and tripods aren’t allowed. I took my DSLR with a General Admission ticket but found most views blocked by fences, so photos were tricky. Better spots may get you nicer shots.
If you plan to stay in one place, bring a camping chair or a lightweight mat to sit on. If you want to explore, carrying a chair all day could be tiring, so a mat is a lighter option, especially on Sunday when it gets busy.
Since Silverstone is in the countryside, phone signal can be patchy, so screenshot your tickets before you arrive to avoid delays at the gate, especially on race day when it’s busiest.
Some things you can’t bring: glass bottles, alcohol (since 2025, it’s not allowed through security), drones, and parasols. Umbrellas are fine, but smoke canisters or flares are banned.
No matter what, the British Grand Prix is the highlight of UK motorsport. It’s held at the historic site of the first ever F1 race, and the atmosphere is amazing, with fans cheering especially for the British drivers.
READ MORE: The ultimate British Grand Prix ticket guide: What you actually get for your money