Silverstone Photographic Guide 2025
Address: Silverstone Circuit Towcester Northamptonshire NN12 8TN
Website: https://www.silverstone.co.uk/
Where to take photos at Silverstone - Updated July 2025.
Silverstone is probably one of the best known independent motor racing circuits in the UK and one of the most difficult to navigate for the spectator photographer. An old WW2 flying station located on the borders of Northamptonshire and Buckinghamshire, with excellent main road connections from the M1 and A43 it hosts the headline events of F1 and MotoGP.
Silverstone has four main tracks, these are the Grand Prix Circuit which can be split into the National Circuit and International Circuit. Both circuits can run independently so you could have motorcycles on the National and cars on the International at the same time.
In the middle of the International Circuit is the Stowe Circuit which is not covered in this guide as it is mostly used for vehicle testing. We have attended events at Stowe, mainly Rally Cross, spectator barriers and safety fences are erected at Stowe when required but there are plenty of areas all around Stowe to shoot.
In this photographic guide to Silverstone we will take you around the different track layouts and show you the best locations to take photographs. We first published this guide to taking photos at Silverstone in 2018. David Harbey was the main contributor having tramped round the perimeter fence in short trousers as a small boy. Now a great and prolific motorsports photographer we have kept the essence of his original report but brought it bang up to date as there have been a few changes.
David Harbey Photography
Having attended races at Silverstone since the early sixties (as a small boy in short trousers), I have seen a fair number of changes to the place. Some are distinct improvements – better “facilities”, more grandstands, big screens at major meetings and live timing on your mobile device.
Some changes have brought decidedly mixed benefits – acres of fencing, huge gravel traps and sitting so far from the action you need binoculars. These have largely been driven by the demands of modern Grand Prix cars and whilst I have no doubt that to drive an F1 car round Silverstone is a huge challenge and incredibly rewarding, perhaps the changes don’t do quite so much for the spectator.
I had taken some photos in the late 80’s with my Olympus OM2N – with that 35mm film that took ages to come back from the processing lab. When I acquired my first digital camera, an Olympus E500, it was only natural to again take photos.
Initially, most people might dismiss taking photos at Silverstone without accreditation, but over the last five years or so, I have identified a range of locations around the track that can be used to get good shots. It is also interesting to look at my photos (those below range from 2013 to 2025) and see the improvement – from better equipment and better technique.
However, all is not lost. I reckon I have found 20 or so different locations around the track offering around 40 different angles. You will see from my photos that I will often crop quite tightly. The circuit furniture – varying from scaffolding grandstands, portaloos, recovery trucks, marshal posts or just fences – can detract sometimes.
The E500 produced some good photos but moving to the Nikon D610 and then acquiring the 70-200mm zoom and especially the 200-500mm zoom has opened up new possibilities – and that leads to a key point. For most of Silverstone on-track action, a decent length zoom lens is required – realistically a minimum 200mm and ideally up to 500mm.
National Circuit Silverstone
To help you navigate this page we have a preview of the locations with the associated letter represented on the map. These locations are then linked back to the map.
New higher fencing in 2024 means that there is no clear view of the track at the Luffield terraces even with a step.
Only a few events use the Grand Prix start / finish and International pits. Most use the Heritage / National pits and it is possible to get shots of cars coming through Woodcote or at the start of the race.
evelopment to the Escapade complex means that there is currently (April 2024) no access to the trackside here.
One of the few places on the track where you can get really close to the cars is Maggots
Back to inside of the circuit and there is a gap in the fence at Aintree where it is possible to get a panoramic shot, perhaps with the Wing in the background (F1. F3) or a rear shot looking down the Wellington Straight to Brooklands (F2).
Opposite this is the Village Grandstand. From here and with a good length zoom lens, it is possible to get the cars coming into Village (E1, E2), through the Loop (E3) or Aintree (E4) and down the Wellington Straight (E5 or 6).
Walking alongside the Wellington Straight and crossing over the bridge leads to the BRDC (British Racing Drivers Club who own Silverstone) Grandstand.
If you don’t cross the bridge to the inside of the National Circuit from area E you will drive at Brooklands inside.
New higher fencing in 2024 means that there is no clear view of the track at the Luffield terraces even with a step. There are two other good shots here. One to the right of the terraces looking into the entry to the corner. One other on the exit of the corner. With both of these shots you will be shooting through the fence.
A popular spot for spectators and snappers alike is the Luffield terracing which used to provide good views from Brooklands through to Woodcote. A higher new fence has been erected at Luffield, you will require a step to shoot over the fence. The shot below is pre-2024 from the terrace.
Only a few events use the Grand Prix start / finish and International pits. Most use the Heritage / National pits and it is possible to get shots of cars coming through Woodcote or at the start of the race. Further on from there is Copse – often the scene of first lap incidents and frequent breaches of track limits. The grandstands are rarely open here, so using the terracing with a step is the best option.
One of the few places on the track where you can get really close to the cars is Maggots – it is worth standing and watching for a few minutes here. It’s pretty obvious who is trying hard – measured by how much kerb is taken at Maggots and through Becketts. There is a point where there is a gate for the marshals and with a step and patience, as it can be popular, it can provide a dramatic image.
Back to inside of the circuit and there is a gap in the fence at Aintree where it is possible to get a panoramic shot, perhaps with the Wing in the background (F1. F3) or a rear shot looking down the Wellington Straight to Brooklands (F2).
Moving around area D, there are two photo holes in the fence. You can use these or shoot through the fence; there are plenty of good shots to be had here. This area is also know as the Loop as it connects the two Silverstone tracks, National and GP.
Opposite this is the Village Grandstand. From here and with a good length zoom lens, it is possible to get the cars coming into Village, through the Loop or Aintree and down the Wellington Straight. This is also a covered grandstand which can be helpful if it is a) raining, b) sunny c) snowing – all have been seen in the last three years at various meetings. It doesn’t really help if its windy … remember, it was an airfield in WW2.
Moving out of the Village Grandstand head toward the Wellington Straight. Along this fence line a few good angles are to be had looking back into the Loop. Here you will find the practice start line for motorcycle racing.
Area F Inside
Walking alongside the Wellington Straight and crossing over the bridge leads to the BRDC (British Racing Drivers Club who own Silverstone) Grandstand. This is a members only grandstand which is sometimes open to non-members (G1). Shots from the grandstand require a long lens. On test days you can stand next to the fence in front of the BRDC grandstand as in the pictures of the British Super Bikes.
If you don’t cross the bridge to the inside of the National Circuit from area E you will drive at Brooklands inside. This used to be one of the best locations for motorcycle photography at Silverstone. However, a new spectator fence has been erected in 2024. You will now find it difficult to get close to the fence. If the light is right you can still get a decent shot.
Example of a pre 2024 shot.
International Circuit Silverstone
Area G Inside. So, starting at the Grand Prix / International start finish line there has been slot in the fence just at the start of Abbey.
If the link road is open (between the north and south of the circuit running in between Beckets and Aintree) then there are a number of places to get interesting photos.
On the outside of Chapel near the TV platform there used to be two really good photographer’s slots but the better one was fenced in last year. It is a good spot with a range of shots.
Back to the inside of the circuit. Crossing the bridge on Hangar Straight near the Porsche Centre allows for a shot back to Chapel or indeed down towards Stowe.
Approaching Stowe on the outside of the track, there is a marshal’s access point which allows for a rear shot into Stowe (P1). The backdrop is less than inspiring at this point so a close crop might be required.
You are a long way from the action here but a shot is possible.
Vale / Club is another great corner complex for spectators and photographers. A left followed by a sweeping right hand corner this S bend has plenty of locations to watch and photograph the action.
From the Wing on the inside it is possible to get shots of the cars through and exiting Club.
If the Club grandstand is open it is possible to get a different angle as the cars come through that corner (V1,V2) and away up the straight to Abbey.
From the Silverstone hotel balcony you can see all of the Hamilton Straight and the International pits. Good luck with getting into the hotel during a main event. The Grandstands are equally as good. You can also get to the front of the Grandstands at some events.
From the outside of the track there is a photo hole below the Abbey Grandstand. You are a long way from the track but a 200mm lens will get the whole of the track for a scene setting image. The grandstand is usually open so a slightly different shot can be achieved from the seats.
If the link road is open (between the north and south of the circuit running in between Beckets and Aintree) then there are a number of places to get interesting photos. The run into Village often sees overtaking. Village to the Loop is good (previously covered above, Area D) and for the Silverstone Classic you might have a good backdrop from the fairground.
Walking round towards the Loop, there is a slot which allows for a good rear shot as cars head up to Aintree or front shot looking back to Village. Walking further round, there is another slot (probably my favourite spot on the whole circuit) covering the exit from the Loop.
On the inside of the circuit here is a large, open grandstand called Silverstone Six. This has panoramic views (you can probably see Milton Keynes) and allows you to view Becketts to the left and Village, The Loop and Aintree to the right. It is sometimes hard to know where to look as the first lap chaos unfolds. Down to L you can only get a panning shoot through the fence.
On the outside of Chapel near the TV platform there used to be two really good photographer’s slots but the better one was fenced in last year. It is a good spot with a range of shots.
Back to the inside of the circuit. Crossing the bridge on Hangar Straight near the Porsche Centre allows for a shot back to Chapel or indeed down towards Stowe. Of late you have been able to walk on the inside of the Hangar Straight to get that panning shot, but there may be some high fencing there.
Approaching Stowe on the outside of the track, there is a marshal’s access point which allows for a rear shot into Stowe. The backdrop is less than inspiring at this point so a close crop might be required.
Vale / Club is another great corner complex for spectators and photographers. A left followed by a sweeping right hand corner this S bend has plenty of locations to watch and photograph the action.
A good shot can be taken from behind the fence or from the elevated section in front of the Grandstands.
More construction has been going on here (2024-25) with another new grandstand. This has reduced the standing area on the elevated section, but not by much.
From the Wing next to the International pits on the inside, it is possible to get shots of the cars through and exiting Club.
If the Club grandstand is open it is possible to get a different angle as the cars come through that corner and away up the straight to Abbey.
From the Silverstone hotel balcony you can see all of the Hamilton Straight and the International pits. Good luck with getting into the hotel during a main event. The Grandstands are equally as good. You can also get to the front of the Grandstands at some events.
Silverstone Pits Paddocks and Garages
The Silverstone garages are generally not open to the public except for a few events. The Silverstone classic is one of the few exceptions to this rule. There are two sets of pits at Silverstone either or one can be used depending on the track configuration.
National Paddock
The National Pit with its associated 12 garages and paddock is located between Woodcote corner and Copse corner.
EV charge points
Silverstone has 24 charge points split between 2 locations each with 12 fast EV charge points each. One near the National Pits opposite the Cafe and one at the Wing. There are no charging points in the public car parks outside of Silverstone.
National Paddock
The National Pit with its associated 12 garages and paddock is located between Woodcote corner and Copse corner.
International Paddock
The International Pit with its associated 40 garages and paddock are located between Club and Abbey corner opposite the Silverstone Hotel.
Thanks to David Harbey, RPW and Jak Walker Photography for the images. All other photographs are by the editor.
Below are a few example photographic reports, you can find more reports by entering Silverstone on our Search Page.
MotoGP 2025
Silverstone
12 June 2025
MotoGP 2024
Silverstone
16 August 2024
GT Media Day
Silverstone
29 March 2025
You can find our how to take great motorsport photography guides below.
