F1 2024 Insider's Guide No. 12 – Great Britain

The British Grand Prix is a classic Formula One® event, having been contested since as far back as 1926. Silverstone, one of the original circuits in the modern Formula One® World Championship, hosted the first race of the 1950 season and has been hosting Grand Prix events ever since. This fast and dynamic circuit, located in the heart of the beautiful Northamptonshire countryside, is surrounded by stately homes and green fields. Its high-energy engineering excellence contrasts with the bucolic surroundings.

 

The Aston Martin Aramco Formula One® Team is within walking distance of the circuit and the team’s Driver Ambassador Jessica Hawkins, who also heads up its F1 Academy programme, took time out from training and her busy schedule with the team to share her favourite things to do in Great Britain and some of the perks that come with being so close to her home race.

Where do the Aston Martin Aramco Formula One® Team stay?

“It’s about a 10-minute drive to Silverstone from where I live just outside Buckingham, so I’m definitely looking forward to coming back home at the end of each day. There’s something very special about being able to do that over a race weekend. In F1®, you’re away from your own bed a lot of the year, travelling the world, so it’s nice to take advantage when you can and spend the night at home,” says Jessica Hawkins. 

 

“On a good run, I can get to Silverstone in just over seven minutes – but it won’t be that quick around the British Grand Prix due to the traffic getting into the circuit! For anyone heading to Silverstone, I’d recommend getting there early and making the most of the incredible atmosphere.” 

“Like me, a lot of the team live in the local area, so many team members will be returning home at the end of each day throughout the race weekend. A working day in the world of Formula One® is always high intensity, particularly over the British Grand Prix, as it’s our home race. Everyone in the team will be flat out, so going back to your own home and bed each night is a real treat. Some team members live further away so won’t be able to enjoy that luxury and will stay in hotels near the circuit.”

Where does the Aston Martin Aramco Formula One® Team eat?

“Sticks n Sushii is one of my favourite places to go to; I think it’s one of Fernando Alonso’s favourites as well. The closest one to Silverstone is in Oxford but it’s worth the drive. There’s one in Cambridge too and several in London,” says Hawkins.

 “Kobe Steakhouse & Cocktail Lounge is a great place to go in Milton Keynes. It’s a little unassuming outside but the food is incredible and I love eating there. It’s one of only 10 registered restaurants certified to sell Japanese Kobe and Wagyu beef in the UK – and the only one outside of London – so you’re getting top quality food whenever you go there.

 

 “Finally, Warbler on the Wharf is a really quaint venue in Milton Keynes. It’s situated on the Grand Union Canal and has a relaxed vibe to it with some delicious food and drink on offer. It’s a pub with a lovely outside terrace and beer garden, perfect for when the British summer plays ball! And it’s a great stop-off for walkers and cyclists alongside the Water.”

What do you like to do for fun near Silverstone when not competing?

“I love being active. I go to the gym a lot, not just for enjoyment, but also because it helps me stay physically sharp. I go out on my bike, I love finding new places to ride and there are lots of great routes in and around Northamptonshire and neighbouring counties, such as Buckinghamshire and Bedfordshire,” says Hawkins.

 “Woburn is one of my favourite places to cycle – you’ve got the picturesque Deer Park and then if you want something a little more challenging, the Longslade Trail will certainly get your pulse racing”

 

“I like playing squash, and I’ve also got into hiking recently, which I’m really enjoying. Hiking is a definite change of pace from the world of motorsport, but it’s a great way to switch off and see some fantastic scenery.”

“When I’m not out and about keeping active, I spend time with my friends and family. I travel a lot with the team, which means I don’t get to see friends and family a great deal, so catching up with them when I am at home is always important.”

Is there anywhere that you would recommend as good places that are icons of British motorsport or car culture that readers can go to?

“Silverstone Circuit is somewhere everybody should visit. It’s the home of British motorsport and there are so many great series racing there throughout the year – not just F1®. Silverstone is also home to our team. The state-of-the-art new AMR Technology Campus is just a stone’s throw away from the circuit and you can’t miss it on the way to the track,” says Hawkins.

“Great Britain is home to so many brilliant racetracks that are steeped in history, including the likes of Brands Hatch and Donington Park, and they’re well worth a visit when a race meeting is on.”

 

“There are also places like the National Motor Museum in Beaulieu and the British Motor Museum in Gaydon, which is very close to the Aston Martin Lagonda global headquarters. If you’ve got a general passion for cars, I’d recommend both. Finally, the Goodwood Festival of Speed in Sussex is a must-visit for petrolheads. This year, it takes place a week after the British Grand Prix and is a celebration of all things motor racing. Fernando will be there for the public debut of the Aston Martin Valiant. I can’t wait to see him unleash its 745-horsepower twin-turbo V12 engine up the famous Hill Climb Course on 12 July.”

What are your other favourite places to visit in Great Britain and why?

“One of my favourite places is the Peak District. For someone like me, who enjoys cycling and hiking, it’s a brilliant place with some breathtaking views. Even if you’re not planning on being ultra-active, it’s still a great destination to go to unwind,” says Hawkins. 

 

“Further north from there, you’ve got the Lake District which offers equally stunning scenery. It is a fantastic place to switch off for a bit – or indulge in watersports. 

 

“Ultimately though, you can’t beat Silverstone. It’s such a special place. It’s the home of British motorsport, it’s the home of our team – and home to one of the most thrilling sequences of corners in the world, the high-speed left-right-left-right of Maggots and Becketts. And I live just around the corner, so I get to call Silverstone my home too! It doesn’t get much better than that.”

Nature and History

The Wilds of Scotland

Scotland is the one part of Britain you should not miss. With quaint islands like Lewis, Harris, Barra, and Bute, you can follow Highland cows down to pristine sandy shores, watch eagles soar among mountain tops, and observe stag deer patrolling wild moorlands. It’s an incredible experience and if you’re a whisky lover, you’ll also be in your element with numerous distilleries across this stately country.

 

A great place to stay in Scotland is Links House in Dornoch, offering 15 carefully curated bedrooms just a stone’s throw from one of Scotland’s most beautiful beaches and right next to Royal Dornoch—one of the Highlands’ greatest golf courses. The Treehouses at Lanrick and Leckie are perfect for those who want an eco-conscious stay that reconnects with nature, while Loch Rannoch Hotel provides wild swimming opportunities and cosy bedrooms by a stirring loch in the Central Highlands. Consider the luxurious overnight Caledonian Sleeper from London to Scotland, where you can snooze in a cosy cabin and wake up to breakfast in the Highlands. 

Yorkshire’s dales and delicacies

Yorkshire is known for its majesty and the friendliness of the locals, whose doors are always open and kettles are always on. Don’t miss the chance to walk the fells of the Yorkshire Dales National Park, where Malham Tarn and Malham Cove are spectacular sights. Explore the North York Moors, where you can enjoy wild swims below waterfalls and travel back in time on the steam trains of the North York Moors Railway. The beach at Flamborough, below the bird sanctuary of Bempton Cliffs, is one of Britain’s most underrated sunbathing spots.

 

Stay at the newly refurbished Doubletree Leeds, located by the city’s historic canal to be in the centre of the county from where you can discover all its wild charms. Fish and chips, Parkin cake, and various pies are local delicacies here.

Southern England’s delights

Near London, Box Hill is a perfect place for a day out, offering sweeping views and fields of wild garlic that you can pick and take home. Stepping stones across a river will delight younger visitors. Kent offers oast houses, picturesque villages, and hipster seaside resorts such as Folkestone and Margate.

 

Dungeness is an eerie and fascinating site next to a nuclear power station in Britain’s only desert. It is blessed with fascinating architecture and the homes of famous people, including the late Derek Jarman, the renowned playwright. For a relaxing spa weekend, Pennyhill is unparalleled. Located in the Surrey countryside amidst forests and hills, Pennyhill offers pools, saunas, and treatments within an ivy-clad 19th-century manor house. Its Hillfield restaurant serves hearty fare, and Latymer boasts a Michelin star.

In Sussex, South Lodge is perfect for a trip to the South Downs. Ninety-three acres of grounds surround this luxury country house hotel, which extends toward the South Downs. The windmills and valleys in this area are the ideal spots for walks and reconnecting with nature. Dartmoor National Park in Devon is another highlight of southern England. The luxurious Bovey Castle features incredible rooms and unbeatable hospitality and food.

Silverstone sights

Silverstone’s environs are often overlooked by visitors, but there’s plenty to enjoy near this historic F1 circuit. The stately homes of Blenheim and Stowe are just a short drive away; Stowe, in particular, is renowned for its incredible gardens and follies. Oxford will delight you with its ancient colleges and charming shopping streets bustling with students. The Cotswolds, located nearby, features buttery sandstone houses lining village main streets, reminiscent of those in Moreton-in-Marsh and Stow-on the-Wold. The rolling green hills are perfect for leisurely walks and summer picnics.

Design and Urban Adventures in Britain

Edinburgh and Glasgow’s fun times

The Scottish capital and its largest city are both brilliant places to spend a few days. In August, Edinburgh becomes a rollercoaster as comedians, artists, and all kinds of creatives descend for one of the world’s biggest arts festivals. At other times, Edinburgh is blessed, of course, with its dour yet imposing architecture and dramatic topography—details that fans of the recent Netflix adaptation of One Day will instantly recognise.

 

Glasgow, on the other hand, is younger, more fun, and brimming with museums, shops, bars, art, music, and fascinating sights. This industrial city knows how to have fun, and it also serves as a gateway to the scenic West Coast.

 

The Kimpton in Glasgow offers an elevated experience in a storied sandstone building oozing charm. Meanwhile, in both Glasgow and Edinburgh, the House of Gods is carving out a niche as a cool restaurant, bar, and boutique hotel. For those who appreciate high-tech and stylish interiors, Yotel in Edinburgh is a perfect place to stay, while the Sheraton provides both style and substance near Edinburgh Castle. Enjoy the joy of the journey by travelling north on the spectacular Lumo trains line to Scotland, which offers fast services to Edinburgh.

Birmingham’s Unexpected Attractions

As the nearest big city to Silverstone, Birmingham is an intriguing metropolis that will be of interest to fans of cars and motorsports. This was the centre of the UK car manufacturing industry at one time, and its many motorways pay tribute to that. Some of them were even raced on in the 1980s and 90s as the Birmingham Superprix took over the streets and turned the city into ‘the Monaco of the Midlands.’ Cadbury World and the gorgeous Bournville village are big attractions in the city, as well as the nearby redbrick university campus—one of Britain’s prettiest. Edgy Digbeth is becoming a renowned hipster hub with media companies, film studios, bars, clubs, restaurants, and alternative shopping. The lavish Hyatt Regency is the ideal place to stay while enjoying Birmingham’s fun ‘n’ games, with views over the heritage canals and narrowboats of Gas St Basin.

London’s endless variety

London’s rich history draws visitors from around the world - and who could miss Buckingham Palace, Big Ben and the Tower of London? However, don’t overlook some of the capital’s newer attractions.

Battersea Power Station has been restored and reopened like the old power station further down the Thames that became home to Tate Modern. Battersea’s Power Station now houses shops, Apple offices, restaurants, a viewing platform, and a famous rooftop pool at the chic Artotel. The hotel’s rooms are designed by Spanish artist Jaime Hayon. Artotel has a brand-new outpost on the border of Shoreditch and Hoxton, ideal for the edgier bars and restaurants of East London.

Sune, the small plates and natural wine specialist in Broadway Market by the Regent’s Canal, has just received a nod from Michelin. Fans of Catalan food will be delighted for Campaner. This slice of Barcelona serves up all your favourites: elevated versions of rice dishes and patatas bravas and pan con tomate dished up in an energising and pleasing on the eye location in the heart of Chelsea.

Don’t miss London’s many lidos—these pools and lakes are beloved by Londoners and provide the perfect place to cool off in the heat. London Fields Lido, Tooting Lido, Brockwell Lido, and Park Road Lido in Crouch End are excellent options, along with London’s ‘hidden’ lido—Oasis in Covent Garden. Don’t miss the opportunity to take a boat down the Thames, the new Westin London City is perfect for a few nights next to the river.

The Globe-Trotter x Aston Martin Aramco Formula One® Team partnership celebrates a shared commitment to craftsmanship, innovation, and heritage; bringing together the timeless style of Globe-Trotter’s handcrafted luggage and the cutting-edge design and performance of the Aston Martin Aramco Formula One® Team.