Cadwell Park Circuit Guide
OWNER: MotorSport Vision (MSV)
CIRCUIT LENGTH: 2.19M / 3.52KM (bike circuit)
NOISE LIMIT: Check our Circuit Noise Limits page
MOTORCYCLE CIRCUIT RECORD: Bradley Ray (British Superbike) - 1.25:457 (2022)
TDA DIFFICULTY RATING: FOUR (4/5)
Click here to jump to the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) for Cadwell Park, e.g. are there garages/electrics, can you camp and is there any hook-up, can you buy fuel at the circuit or nearby?
Location & Directions📍
CIRCUIT ADDRESS: Cadwell Park, Venue Office, Louth, Lincolnshire, LN11 9SE
CIRCUIT LOCATION: Link to Google Maps
TDA Track Day Calendars
Check out the TDA Track Day Calendars for events to book at this circuit or any other UK or European circuit from the various track day organisers, all in one place for your convenience:
Circuit History
If you’re into your motorcycles and motorsports - and you’re not just from the United Kingdom - you will have heard of Cadwell Park.
“The circuit with the jump?” is what most people say when the Lincolnshire track is mentioned. And it is one of those ribbons of tarmac that YOU MUST experience, but maybe not as a first track day...
Wikipedia has a nice page about the track and the Official Cadwell Park Website has all the facts, but here’s a short summary: affectionately nicknamed the 'mini-Nürburgring' for its challenging, twisty, and highly undulating nature, Cadwell Park is an iconic motor racing circuit located in the Lincolnshire Wolds.
Established in 1934 by the Wilkinson family for motorcycle racing, the circuit is renowned for its unique layout that winds through open park and woodland, featuring sharp changes in gradient and the famous "Mountain" section where bikes dramatically become airborne.
Now owned and operated by MotorSport Vision (MSV), the 2.19-mile Full Circuit is primarily used for motorcycle racing, with the biggest event of the year being the spectacular "Party in the Park" round of the Bennetts British Superbike Championship (BSB) across the August Bank Holiday.
It also hosts popular club car events and has been used as a filming location for motoring shows and the 2013 film Rush about the F1 rivalry between Niki Lauda and James Hunt.
MotorSport Vision (MSV) also own and operate Bedford Autodrome, Brands Hatch, Donington Park, Oulton Park and Snetterton in the UK – as well as Circuito de Navarra in Spain.
Circuit length and layout
The Cadwell Park Full Circuit is 2.19 miles (2.2 miles for the car circuit that removes the chicane) in length with 19 corners (11 right, 8 left) is a narrow and undulating affair that is as rewarding as it is challenging.
Yes, it has The Mountain and that unique feature is one that needs to be treated with respect - there are multiple ways to tackle this section, especially if you want that obligatory wheelie shot to post on Facebook (and not experience a trip back to the paddock with a broken bike).
But Cadwell is more than a chance to lift the front wheel for the camera, that section of the track is over so soon and it is the rest of the circuit (less so the chicane…) that really delivers the buzz of riding here; there’s positive and negative camber, downhill breaking and blind apexes.
The first corner, Coppice, has so much camber that you always feel like you could have tipped in with more speed, and the blind apex of Charlie’s 1 into the negative camber of Charlie’s 2 is a huge thrill (when you get it right - watch that lean angle!).
What’s the best bike to ride at Cadwell Park?
Anything! Another great feature about Cadwell is that it is a really good leveller in terms of machinery, but you still need the skills to pedal it around!
Don’t be surprised to see supermotos, large capacity single-cylinders and smaller cc two and four-stroke machinery going round the outside of you; it’s a pleasure to ride anything around Cadwell Park.
Despite the fact that 200bhp+ British Superbikes still race around here, it’s hard to get the most (and use all of the gears) on a litre bike.
Advice for riding fast round Cadwell Park
If it’s your first time heading to Cadwell and you’re with a quality track day provider, look to book some time with an instructor. Most reputable track day providers will have these on hand, which can either be booked ahead for a fee or on the day.
Racing legend Mike ‘Spike’ Edwards offers a popular How I Ride - Video Guide for Cadwell Park and you can preview Mike Edward’s circuit guides on his YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@MikeSpikeEdwards
Ultra experienced road tester, racer, and lovely fella, Michael Neeves, also created a ‘spiritual guide’ on how to go fast around Cadwell Park. You can watch that here:
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Is there camping at Cadwell Park?
Camping is free between April and October when there are events on. You can also camp in February, March and November however there is a £5 fee. Unfortunately, there is no camping at the circuit in January or December. Access to the track is available from 6.30am - 8.00 pm.
There is no electrical hook-up when camping at Cadwell Park.
Can I get petrol at Cadwell Park?
Yes, you can fuel up at Cadwell Park, but the single pump is only open at certain times during track days and is probably the most expensive price per litre you’ll ever pay.
The nearest petrol station that offers unleaded and super unleaded fuel is in the nearby town of Louth, which is open seven days a week from 7am to 11pm.
Esso, 65 Newmarket, Louth, LN11 9EG (5.17 miles / 12 mins).
Are there garages at Cadwell Park?
In short, no. Cadwell is a strange place in that the pit lane is not used and accessible for track days - it’s all the way down a steep hill. For events like British Superbikes, they erect temporary garages and track days feed you on to the circuit via the holding area in upper paddock just after The Mountain.
What the circuit does offer is plenty of hard standing for your truck, race van, trailer, motorhome and even gazebo. But try and get a spot on one of the front rows, close to the scrutineering bay so you don’t have to do too much walking or pushing bikes uphill!
No garages means no power at Cadwell Park for track days either.
