Latest news with #EscapadeSilverstone
Times
03-07-2025
- Automotive
- Times
Escapade Silverstone hotel review: a modern trackside stay
Waking up to the sound of the revving engines of F1 cars just outside the door of your hotel, then sipping your morning coffee while drivers such as Lewis Hamilton and Lando Norris whizz past just metres away from your balcony is the stuff of dreams for motorsport fans. That's the reality of a stay at ultra-modern Escapade Silverstone. Opened in March, the 14-acre Escapade complex sits trackside overlooking a 550-metre stretch of Silverstone Circuit, home of the British Grand Prix, which straddles Northamptonshire and Buckinghamshire. The hotel comprises a clubhouse with a roof terrace bar, fine-dining restaurant and 60 one- to four-bedroom apartments, many of which offer unparalleled views of the world-famous Maggotts and Becketts corners — some of the fastest and most exciting in the world. If you're a motorsport fan, this is one of the most thrilling hotel experiences out there. This article contains affiliate links that can earn us revenue Score 8/10Guests can choose from three types of modular 'residence', which can be booked as an entire apartment or individual lockable rooms. The Trackside residences come at a premium because they offer sensational views of the circuit from their cantilevered balconies, some of which are as little as 12 metres from the crash barrier. Countryside residences are further away from the track and have calming views across the fields behind; while Dual-Aspect are sited between the Trackside and Countryside residences, and are the only type to have rooftop terraces with panoramic views. But for those guests without Trackside properties, the best views of any circuit action are from the restaurant and rooftop champagne bar, which is open exclusively to hotel guests. • London's top serviced apartments Each apartment is owned by a private landlord, but managed and maintained by the hotel; owners are able to use their property for up to 100 days but many visit less frequently than that. Each comes with its own open-plan kitchen area, lounge, terrace and parking in an air-conditioned garage or car port; bedrooms have an en suite bathroom. In terms of decor, all residences are light-filled, modern and comfortable. They also benefit from wooden floors with underfloor heating and air conditioning. Accessible residences, called Liberty, have lifts from the ground floor and the apartments are suitable for wheelchair users, with lowered kitchen facilities and accessible bathrooms. Cots are available for babies, and games consoles are on hand for older children. • 100 of the Best Places to Stay in the UK Score 8/10During dinner in the Gallery restaurant you will find yourself surrounded by a collection of motor sport-related artworks, with a number of TV screens showing round-the-clock Sky Sports F1. The large dining room has an impressive full-length window offering superb views of the circuit. The chef, Matt Tsistrakis, is an alumnus of London's Savoy hotel, and that expertise was apparent in the modern French menu. Starters include smoked aubergine soup or shellfish bisque; mains include duck and monkfish; while vegetarians have mushroom risotto or beetroot burgers. Kids are well catered for with their own menu that includes the usual bangers and mash and pasta, but also breaded lemon sole or grilled chicken. I chose crispy pork belly with sweet sauce and plum ketchup to start, followed by a beef cheek main that disintegrated under the weight of a fork and melted in the mouth. For dessert, the sticky toffee pudding was delicious but sweet enough to make the head swim; the maitre d' suggested the blood orange soufflé next time, and brought out the accompanying negroni sorbet to try: it was sharp, cleansing stuff. Ask for a red wine recommendation and you may be steered towards the house red, a Baccolo Rosso Corvina, although the wide selection of wines also includes Whispering Angel and Dom Perignon. • Best boutique hotels in the UK Breakfast includes an excellent hot buffet, selection of cold meats, cereals and juices are available, as is filter coffee (£18pp); à la carte dishes and barista-made coffees are extra. Track walks are possible during scheduled slots and the concierge can help to arrange them, as well as booking driving experiences within Silverstone, from doughnutting open-wheeled Caterham roadsters to going flat-out with McLaren supercars on track (from £139; Most guests, though, will make use of the more traditional facilities, including the wellness centre with a 15m indoor swimming pool, which is heated year-round but can feel busy at times, a sauna and a gym, which has a range of Matrix cardio machines, adjustable pulleys and free weights. Spa treatments can also be arranged in advance. • Discover our full guide to the UK Score 7/10Escapade is within the Silverstone Circuit between Towcester and Brackley, officially within Northamptonshire but spilling over into north Buckinghamshire. Milton Keynes Central is the closest station, from where it is a 25-minute taxi ride to the hotel. Better to drive (90 minutes from central London), because each residence has its own garage. You will find upmarket shopping at Bicester Village (30 minutes away by car) and stunning Georgian landscaping at Stowe Gardens (20 minutes away). Price B&B doubles from £250Restaurant mains from £22Accessible YFamily-friendly NDog-friendly N Will Dron was a guest of Escapade Silverstone (
Daily Mirror
25-05-2025
- Automotive
- Daily Mirror
Silverstone's new F1 retreat is so close to the track you feel race cars rumble
We've all heard the story in history lessons – Archbishop of Canterbury Thomas Becket falls out with old mate King Henry II over churchly matters. At some point a frustrated Harry says: 'Will no one rid me of this turbulent priest?' Four knights overhear and kill Becket in Canterbury cathedral. Three years later he's made a saint by the Pope and a small chapel is built as a monument to him in Northamptonshire where his spat with his one-time pal had boiled over into a trial. And this 12th century historic site would go on to 20th century fame – becoming the heart of British motorsport, Silverstone, in 1948, with bends near the chapel ruins named Becketts Corner and Chapel Curve. Now overlooking that spot is Escapade Silverstone – a sleek modern retreat for racing fans, wellness seekers, and anyone curious about what it's like to fall asleep beside a Grand Prix circuit. Doors to the luxury property opened in March – in the year the British Grand Prix celebrates its 75th anniversary with the race scheduled on July 6. Here, as I discover on a weekend break, you're not just near the track – you're practically on it. Escapade's 60 residences line up alongside some of Silverstone's most exciting sections. The development includes 184 bedrooms, spread across a mix of trackside, countryside, and dual-aspect properties. Each residence comes with a private terrace, EV charging point, and flexible living arrangements that can be adapted depending on party size. From your balcony, you can watch cars scream past – or, if on the quieter side like me, enjoy the stillness of the forest. The dual-aspect residences give you the best of both worlds. Residences range from one to four bedrooms, with contemporary interiors using warm timber, metalwork, and rich fabrics. There's a focus on comfort without compromising on motorsport character. If you're in prime position, you can draw the curtains in the morning and see a GT3 Cup car tearing through the corners. Main restaurant The Gallery doubles as an art space, with pieces curated by Escapade Art Director Renata Fernandes, including works by former F1 driver Stefan Johansson. One piece that stops you in your tracks is a jewel-encrusted helmet donated by the family of tragic Brazilian racing legend Ayrton Senna. No one at Escapade brags about price tags but a staff member, half-embarrassed, let slip it's worth close to six figures. Art is a key part of the Escapade experience. There's a rotating programme of exhibits across the site, including original paintings, sculptures, photography, and digital works inspired by speed and racing. Many of the artists showcased are motorsport connected. Escapade doesn't just lean into the racing theme – it lives it. There's a buzz to the whole place: movement, design, speed, stories. 'That'd make a good morning run,' jokes one of my party, commenting on the track's 3.66 mile distance. At dawn the next day – before the engines fire up – we have the chance to run it. I clock 27 minutes. Not quite Lewis Hamilton's record breaking minute and 24 seconds, but in my defence, he had a car. A post-run yoga session follows on a sunny deck – a welcome stretch after a late night at the bar. The morning wellness programme runs alongside more performance-focused treatments designed by Formula Health. Led by F1 osteopath Gemma Fisher, the sessions are based on techniques used to optimise driver performance – and now extended to guests. The wellness offering is substantial. The gym is open 24/7 and looks directly on to the circuit. The pool and sauna sit just above it, with floor-to-ceiling glass that brings the track into view while you recover. Treatments range from restorative therapies to high-performance conditioning. After lunch, we are ushered into the pit lane. One by one, we climb into three monsters: a Ferrari F430, a McLaren 620R, and an Aston Martin Vantage. The twist? We are driving – with a pro in the passenger seat. I'm paired with Toru Nakano, a calm and quietly confident former Japanese racer who's done everything from FJ1600 to British Formula Vauxhall. He talks me through the whole lap: when to brake, when to push, when to just trust the car. It's hard to explain what it's like to drive a race car on the actual Silverstone circuit. The noise, the speed, the sheer focus it demands – it's like nothing else. When I finally climb out, heart still thumping, I realised I'd barely noticed how fast we were going – until my legs remind me. Escapade is open all year-round, not just on race weekends. Outside of Grand Prix season, the site hosts everything from private events and team training camps to wellness retreats and corporate stays. The setting is designed to adapt - equally suited to high-octane activity or total downtime, with the flexibility to suit solo travellers, families, or large groups. And it isn't just about the adrenaline. It's designed to feel like a home from home – one with front-row seats to motorsport history. The residences are self-contained and can be booked for anything from a private holiday to a race team base or corporate retreat. The idea is to offer a new type of motorsport hospitality – immersive, long-stay, and design-led. It also points to something bigger. Motorsport fans are after more than just a ticket these days – they want to feel part of it. Here, you're within touching distance of the most powerful cars on Earth. You don't just hear the rumble – you feel it as they whizz by. And somehow, ironically, all of this sits on land that once honoured a man who refused to bow to power.
Irish Independent
19-05-2025
- Automotive
- Irish Independent
Stay at Silverstone? My short break in the fast lane at Formula 1's famous racing circuit
Once a close friend of King Henry II, he ended up on a very different path - standing firmly for the Church and refusing to bow to royal pressure. Their fallout turned deadly when Henry supposedly cried out: "Will no one rid me of this turbulent priest?" Four knights took that literally and Becket was killed. Just three years later, he was made a saint and a small chapel was built for him, tucked into the greenery of Northamptonshire. The site would go on to become the heart of British motorsport, Silverstone Circuit, and one of its most iconic corners was named in his honour: Becketts Corner and Chapel Curve. Overlooking that spot is Escapade Silverstone - a sleek modern retreat for racing fans, wellness seekers, and anyone curious about what it's like to fall asleep beside a Grand Prix circuit. Doors to the luxury property opened in March - in the year the British Grand Prix celebrates its 75th anniversary. Here, as I discover on a weekend break, you're not just near the track - you're on it. Escapade's 60 residences line up alongside some of Silverstone's most exciting sections. The development includes 184 bedrooms, spread across a mix of trackside, countryside, and dual-aspect properties. Each residence comes with a private terrace, EV charging point, and flexible living arrangements that can be adapted depending on party size. From your balcony, you can watch cars scream past - or, if you're on the quieter side like me, enjoy the stillness of the forest. ADVERTISEMENT The dual-aspect residences give you the best of both worlds - track views from one side and expansive countryside vistas from the other. Residences range from one to four bedrooms, with contemporary interiors using warm timber, metalwork, and rich fabrics. There's a focus on comfort without compromising on motorsport character. If you're in prime position, you can draw the curtains in the morning and see a GT3 Cup car tearing through the corners. Main restaurant, The Gallery, doubles as an art space, with pieces curated by Renata Fernandes, including works by former F1 driver Stefan Johansson. One piece that stops you in your tracks is a glittering, jewel-encrusted helmet donated by the family of Brazilian racing legend Ayrton Senna. No one at Escapade brags about price tags - it's not that kind of place - but a staff member, half-embarrassed, let slip it's worth close to six figures. Art is a key part of the Escapade experience. There's a rotating programme of exhibits across the site, including original paintings, sculptures, photography, and digital works inspired by speed and racing. Many of the artists showcased are motorsport-connected. Escapade doesn't just lean into the racing theme - it lives it. There's a buzz to the whole place: movement, design, speed, stories. "That'd make a good morning run," jokes one of my party, commenting on the track's neat 5K distance. At dawn the next day - before the engines fire up - we have the chance to run it. I clock it in 27 minutes. Not quite Lewis Hamilton's record breaking one minute 24 seconds, but in my defence, he had a car. A post-run yoga session follows on a sunny deck - a welcome stretch after a late night at the bar. The morning wellness programme runs alongside more performance-focused treatments designed by Formula Health. Led by F1 osteopath Gemma Fisher, the sessions are based on techniques used to optimise driver performance - and now extended to guests. The wellness offering is substantial. The gym is open 24/7 and looks directly onto the Silverstone circuit. The pool and sauna sit just above it, with floor-to-ceiling glass that brings the track into view while you recover. Treatments range from restorative therapies to high-performance conditioning. After lunch, we are ushered into the pit lane. One by one, we climb into three monsters: a Ferrari F430, a McLaren 620R, and an Aston Martin Vantage. The twist? We are driving - with a pro in the passenger seat. I'm paired with Toru Nakano, a calm and quietly confident former Japanese racer who's done everything from FJ1600 to British Formula Vauxhall. He talks me through the whole lap: when to brake, when to push, when to just trust the car. It's hard to explain what it's like to drive a race car on the actual Silverstone circuit. The noise, the speed, the sheer focus it demands - it's like nothing else. When I finally climb out, heart still thumping, I realised I'd barely noticed how fast we were going - until my legs remind me. Escapade is open all year-round, not just on race weekends. Outside of Grand Prix season, the site hosts everything from private events and team training camps to wellness retreats and corporate stays. The setting is designed to adapt - equally suited to high-octane activity or total downtime, with the flexibility to suit solo travellers, families, or large groups. And it isn't just about the adrenaline. It's designed to feel like a home from home - one with front-row seats to motorsport history. The residences are self-contained and can be booked for anything from a private holiday to a race team base or corporate retreat. The idea is to offer a new type of motorsport hospitality - one that's immersive, long-stay, and design-led. It also points to something bigger. Motorsport fans are after more than just a ticket these days - they want to feel part of it. Here, you're within touching distance of the most powerful machines on Earth. You don't just hear the rumble - you feel it as they whizz by. And somehow, all of this sits - appropriately - on land that once honoured a man who refused to bow to power. Get there Room only stays from £129/€150 per night. Call +44 01327 320 468 or visit for more. This is a PA feature, and Joe Hadden's travel was hosted.
