Go Karting in the East of England

Go Karting in the East of England

The East of England punches well above its weight for serious karting. Near Grantham in Lincolnshire, PF International (PFI) is one of the most famous outdoor circuits in the world, having hosted World and European Championships — a genuine bucket-list track for any racer. Nearby Fulbeck Kart Circuit offers another well-regarded outdoor layout for both arrive-and-drive and competition karting.

Across Suffolk, the region mixes pace and accessibility: Red Lodge Karting near Bury St Edmunds and Ellough Park Raceway near Beccles are established outdoor venues popular with clubs and first-timers alike, while Anglia Indoor Karting in Ipswich provides year-round, weatherproof racing ideal for birthday parties, stag dos and corporate days.

Whether you're chasing lap times at an international circuit or planning a fun group day out, compare the tracks below for prices, kart types and what to expect before you book.

An Overview of Karting in the Region

Karting in the East of England splits neatly into two clusters. Around Grantham in Lincolnshire you'll find the region's serious motorsport heartland, where PF International and Fulbeck sit barely half a mile apart on the same lane near Stragglethorpe — two very different circuits within walking distance of each other. Across Suffolk, the emphasis shifts towards accessible outdoor racing and family days out, with Red Lodge near Bury St Edmunds, Ellough Park near Beccles, and the all-weather indoor centre at Anglia in Ipswich. It's a region that punches above its weight: several of these tracks trace their history to former RAF airfields, and one is genuinely world-class.

Notable Outdoor Circuits

The headline venue is PF International (PFI) near Grantham. Built in 1994 by racer Paul Fletcher and extended to its full 1,382 metres in 2011, it holds a CIK-FIA International "A" grade licence — the only short kart circuit in the UK to do so — and is the permanent home of the Kartmasters British Grand Prix. Both Lewis Hamilton (1996) and George Russell (2010) won here before reaching Formula 1, and its signature bridge section makes it one of a kind among British outdoor tracks. Rental karting is strictly 17 and over.

Just up the lane, Fulbeck Kart Circuit is one of the oldest venues in the country, laid out across the wartime runways of RAF Fulbeck where American servicemen first raced home-built karts in the late 1950s. Run by the Lincolnshire Kart Racing Club since 1959, its technical 930-metre layout — complete with a hairpin and a distinctive banked corner — is a Motorsport UK-licensed club circuit for owner-drivers rather than a walk-in hire track. In Suffolk, Ellough Park Raceway near Beccles was opened in 2000 by ex-Formula 1 driver Jackie Oliver on the old Ellough airfield; its floodlit circuit has grown from 800 metres to over 1,100, running 390cc petrol hire karts and hosting national championships including Formula Kart Stars.

Indoor vs Outdoor Options

Most of the region's tracks are outdoor, petrol-powered and floodlit — Red Lodge and Ellough Park both run into the evening — which means genuine race-length sessions where tyre management and consistency count for more than a single hot lap. The trade-off is the East Anglian weather. If you want a guaranteed, all-weather booking, Anglia Indoor Karting in Ipswich is the region's main indoor option: two petrol circuits under one roof, open seven days a week, with karts scaled from age five upwards. It's the reliable pick for a birthday party or corporate day booked months in advance.

Best Venues for Families and Beginners vs Serious Racers

For families and first-timers, Anglia Indoor Karting is the standout — battery-powered Kubz karts for the youngest, 200cc cadet karts from age eight, and patient staff used to nervous beginners (a 4.4 average across 726 Google reviews). Red Lodge Karting is a strong outdoor all-rounder, with four Honda-engined fleets tiered by ability: GX160 cadet karts at around 35mph, mid-range GX200s at roughly 40mph, and 60mph GX270 karts for experienced adults, so a mixed-age group can race safely. Ellough Park welcomes hire drivers from 8 to 80. Serious racers and owner-drivers, meanwhile, gravitate to the Grantham pair — PFI for a full international circuit and owner-driver test days, and Fulbeck for Motorsport UK club racing from Bambino to Senior.

Getting There and Planning Your Visit

The region's tracks are spread out, so it's worth planning around location and postcode:

• PF International (PFI) — Stragglethorpe Lane, Brandon, Grantham, NG32 2AY; about 15 minutes from the A1. Bar, café and retail shop on site.
• Fulbeck Kart Circuit — near Stragglethorpe, Grantham, NG32 3JS. No on-site catering, and racing runs to the club calendar rather than continuous public sessions.
• Red Lodge Karting — Link Road, Red Lodge Bypass, Bury St Edmunds, IP28 8LE; right beside the A11, handy from Newmarket and Cambridge, with the Lodge Coffee Shop on site.
• Ellough Park Raceway — Benacre Road, Ellough, Beccles, NR34 7XD; café, changing rooms and free parking, typically open around 10am to 9pm.
• Anglia Indoor Karting — Farthing Road Industrial Estate, Ipswich, IP1 5AP; free parking, café and a heated spectator area.

Most venues run in the wet, but as several are outdoor airfield circuits it's worth checking ahead if the forecast is severe. Advance booking is strongly recommended everywhere, especially for weekends, parties and corporate days — and always confirm current prices and age or height requirements directly with the venue before you travel.