Silverstone & Hazelborough Wood Walk

I'm really looking forward to the walk today. Down in the South of the County, close to the Buckinghamshire border. With a population of just over 2,000 their can't surely be more famous villages than Silverstone. Famed of course for being the current home of the Formula One British Grand Prix. The whole area has a rich pedigree of racing history. Mercedes, Red Bull and Aston Martin are based locally. Just walking up the High Street their are acknowledgements to the racing greats of the past. It's hard to imagine just what the village would be like in the height of the Summer, on Grand Prix weekend. Tens of thousands of people milling around, getting a pint at the local pub 'The White Horse' must be a nightmare. I have heard it said that a lot of the locals go away for the weekend, renting out their properties for eye watering sums of money.  

Some famous names on the road signs

Walking out of the village we pass the Silverstone Brewery. There is also and Old black wall mounted Post Box.This would have been put up  during the era of King George V, from 1910 to 1936. It's not in use these days, but makes an interesting feature. We leave the village , cross the road and walk up 'Winter Hill'. Lots of sheep grazing in the fields.Fields that are no doubt home to the hordes of campers on Grand Prix weekend. 

Over to our right we get our first view of the track. Or should I say the back of the stands. The ones in question are 'Copse' . This is the second fastest corner on the circuit after 'Maggotts', where you get a comprehensive view of the pits straight. Coming around this part of the circuit the cars will hit 180 mph. No chance of getting in on the cheap here though. The thick thorny hedge and then a 10ft fence stop any thoughts of that.I dread to think how much it would cost to actually buy tickets. That's if you can even get hold of any as thy sell out rapidly.Race fans coming from all over the world to this little part of Northamptonshire.

Circuit Map

We continue around this very muddy part of the circuit where a lot of building work is taking place. Some strange looking pod type buildings. Some further investigation was required.
'Escapade' Silverstone is a collection of 60 residencies and a clubhouse set in 14 acres of land. Prices start at £850,000 for a countryside 2 bedroom property and go up to £2.2m for a track-side 4 bedroom property. They are more commercial than residential properties though. A cross between owning an AirBnB and a Timeshare. You can Only live in it for a pre-determined number of days each year. Go over that number of days and you have to pay a nightly room rate to stay in your own property! I'm sorry that has put me off now and I don't think I'll bother somehow. Do get in quick though , they are selling fast.

Next to 'Hangar Straight' is 'The Porsche Experience Centre'. A specially designed track where you can polish up your driving skills under all kinds of conditions. There is an 'Ice Hill' where sheet ice is simulated with computer-controlled water jets. There is also an 'off road' area with sharp descents and ascents over rough terrain. There were a few going around as we walked past. 

We made sure though  that we stayed on our side of the fence. A somewhat overgrown warning sign put us on our guard.

We continue past Becket's Corner, Stowe Corner, Vale and Club. To our left is a long grass Avenue that leads to the wonderful Stowe Landscape Gardens. It is just possible to make out the Obelisk standing proud in the distance. To our right we can see the new Pit area which looks impressive. We are now moving into the woods. 

Hazelborough Wood is an ancient oak woodland with lots of trails and tracks. Plenty of runners today though, time trials by the look of things. It's a great place for Bluebell spotting too in another couple of months or so. Leaving the woods behind we start heading back towards the village of Silverstone. We are going back a different route via 'Cattle End' . Some lovely open countryside with great views. We arrive back at the starting point having completed just over muddy miles (16,142 Steps).