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A chequered history – Joe Hadden takes a thrilling ‘brake’ at a Grand Prix circuit which is historic in more ways than one and is now opened up to members of the public to stay
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.
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