Museum Review - Silverstone Museum

During the February half term Roadster! got to spend the day at the brilliant Silverstone Museum.

Housed in a former Second World War RAF hangar, the museum tells the fascinating story of how this sleepy corner of Northamptonshire became Britain's most famous motor racing circuit.

The experience starts with "Starting Grid", a dynamic and immersive video with huge screens either side of a tunnel of starting lanes. We were then ready to Go! Go! Go! and race into the museum experience!

The exhibition took us around the history of Silverstone, from its origins as medieval abbey, through its days as a World War II airfield, its development of the circuit to present day motor racing. It is full of history and memorabilia, and there’s lots of hands- on-fun as you get to play games and build and test a virtual racer. A highlight for Sam was the section on World War II as a pilot training simulator, target practise and leaflet drop provided interactive history, learning and fun.

The main hanger brings present day Silverstone to life! Visitors can find out and participate in a virtual race day, with a mock up of "Race Control" offering the chance to learn about the different warning flags that are used. Roadster! enjoyed having a go in the Commentary Box area, where you record a commentary using a script and then play it back over a video of a race. It's fast paced and fast talking… Sam enjoyed going off script!

The next section of the museum brings crucial safety developments to life, before a fascinating and hands-on “Tech Lab” encourages visitors young and old to find out all about racing car design. We got to learn about car design, build materials, engines, gearboxes, tyres, suspension, aerodynamics… If you like science and technology this is the place for you!

Alongside all of this a static display of historic racing cars, Driver's kit and trophies from throughout Silverstone's history allows you to get up close to these amazing machines and see how motor racing has evolved since its earliest days. Finally, the museum experience closes with an immersive cinema experience which brings together everything you've learned in an entertaining point of view "Ultimate Lap" around the track.

But that's not all the museum offers! Alongside a great museum shop and the lovely cafe, we got to change the pace and take a stroll outside on an interactive outdoor trail which got us onto the track itself! Sam had an idea to buy a toy racing car from the museum shop and trial it on actual Silverstone tarmac!

Silverstone Museum brilliantly and reverently brings the track's history and motorsport to life. It is so fascinating, innovative and hands-on and there is so much to learn, see and do... It is an absolute must for families!

ROADSTER! highly recommends a visit!

Sam’s Rear View Mirror…

I had been to the Silverstone track once when I was little but it was very noisy. I didn’t know what the museum would be like.

It was awesome! I got to see Lewis Hamilton’s racing car and saw lots of cars and saw how racing cars have changed.

I really liked the Second World War part as I got to fire a machine gun at parachutes, practise dropping leaflets and fly a plane!

My other favourite parts of the museum was the commentary box, the flag quiz and the film at the end because it felt like you were moving!

I liked being able to go outside onto the track and there was an awesome gift shop!

Afterwards I got to go in the simulator. It was really hard but a lot of fun… I want another go!