Lakeside Karting

About Lakeside Karting

Lakeside Karting sits just off the A1306 in Thurrock, on the Essex side of the Dartford Crossing, and it's one of the bigger outdoor circuits within easy reach of London and Kent. The venue markets itself as the largest and fastest kart track in Essex, and while that's a marketing line, the numbers behind it are real: a 900-metre circuit and 390cc race karts that will run up to around 70mph in the hands of adult drivers. It's a well-run operation too — Lakeside has held an International Rental Karting Award for Best Customer Experience — and it carries a 4.5 average across well over a thousand Google reviews.

The Circuit

The International Circuit is 900 metres of tarmac, 6.5 metres wide, with room for up to 25 karts on the grid — so it's built for full race formats rather than short blasts. There are ten corners in all, including two off-camber hairpins, a right-left-right sequence known as The Complex, a fast bend called The Bridge, and an elevation change nicknamed Devil's Drop, before the run down the Home Straight. Three long full-throttle straights let the fastest karts stretch out, and a competitive lap sits around the 55-second mark, which gives you a sense of the scale. The layout rewards drivers who commit to the quick sections while staying tidy through the technical middle.

Who Should Visit

Lakeside caters for a wide range of ages and abilities across different kart classes. Adults from 16 race the punchy 390cc karts, juniors from 8 have their own 200cc sessions, and there are even F1-style electric karts for very young children. That spread makes it a genuine option for families as well as adult groups, though the fastest karts are firmly aimed at experienced, older drivers rather than beginners.

Corporate and group work is a core part of the business. Event packages can include exclusive track hire, professional race management, timing and results, and catering, alongside race leagues, tuition, and stag and hen parties. With a 25-kart grid, it can handle sizeable groups on a single race.

Planning Your Visit

Lakeside Karting is at A1306 Arterial Road, Thurrock, Essex (RM19 1EA), a short hop from the M25 and the Dartford Crossing. It's an outdoor, all-weather circuit, so sessions generally run whatever the weather — wet running makes for a very different, often more exciting drive — but it's worth checking ahead if conditions look severe.

Food and drink are available on site, so you can build a session into a longer visit rather than dashing off afterwards.

Pricing is mid-range for UK karting. Advance booking is worth it for weekends, race leagues, parties and corporate days. Confirm current session times, age and kart-class options, and rates with Lakeside before travelling, as these vary through the year.

Frequently Asked Questions