For one weekend every summer, growing cohorts of motorsport enthusiasts flock to Silverstone, the legendary motorsport track tucked into the quiet countryside of Buckinghamshire in England, turning it into a high-octane party when Formula 1 comes to town.
The on-track sessions, nightly concerts by high-profile artists (this year, David Guetta took the stage), historic car demonstrations, and on-stage appearances by notable F1 personnel are standard.
But in 2026—the 76th edition of the F1 race here—the circuit raised the bar even further, hosting a Sprint-format weekend (which includes a shorter, points-earning race on Saturday, before the main race on Sunday) and live screenings of a World Cup match and the F1 movie (which includes scenes filmed here during the 2023 weekend). All of which led to a record-breaking 564,000 visitors across the weekend—the most of any Formula 1 event in history.
But perhaps most notably, the circuit also hosted the second The Pop-Up Hotel Silverstone.
The Pop-Up Hotel Silverstone
A high-octane proposition
Launched in 2011 at Glastonbury Festival, The Pop-Up Hotel offers unique luxury glamping at some of the world’s most notable events. It made its F1 debut last summer at Silverstone before moving on to Monaco this May, then returning to England in July.
The Silverstone site is split into two halves. On one side is the main space, which features a fully catered restaurant, and bar and lounge—liberally dotted with artwork by artist Paul Oz, who’s known for his F1-focused paintings and sculptures—and an alfresco area with views of the track.
This is also where The Pop-Up Hotel Silverstone has located a hot tub and small, palm-fringed pool—new this year. It’s such an attraction that Sky TV commentator David “Crofty” Croft is moved to take a plunge on live TV.
Across the road are the hotel’s accommodations: 390 spaces, up from about 120 last year, and ranging from glamping tents and RVs to sleek Nordic-style cabins and hotel rooms, along with a strip mall-like space filled with brand activations.
Within minutes, I’ve glimpsed a few recognisable faces in the crowd, from influencers and presenters to retired F1 drivers like Nigel Mansell and Nicholas Latifi (who’s here promoting his agave spirits brand Leve—I can attest it makes a great cocktail).
Beyond the stay
The convenient trackside accommodations are a draw, of course, but guests also choose to stay at the pop-up hotel Silverstone for its full weekend of programming.
I arrive bright and early on Friday morning to see eager guests enjoying coffees and snacks in the bar and trackside viewing area. After getting the lay of the land, I cross the street to see the alfresco, mall-like area filled with “stores”.
There are gorgeous cars at The Ferrari Salon, competitions at the Vesaro Sim Racing Lounge, hair touch-ups at the Homewood Salon & Spa, and even IV drips and vitamin shots by Body Brilliant.
I spend time viewing the fashion at The Paddock Journal Atelier, a real-life extension of the eponymous magazine dedicated to the motorsports lifestyle, particularly drawn to pieces from the brand’s new collaboration with artist Tati Baker.
My favourite, however, is the BUDDS auctions space, which is filled with priceless memorabilia. It’s here that I get to hold legendary Brazilian driver Ayrton Senna’s 1992 race-winning helmet. I find out later it sold for £500,000.
Throughout the weekend, the hotel also hosts fireside chats with F1 personalities. On Friday morning, I catch legendary British driver Nigel Mansell on stage, regaling a roomful of fans with stories from his legendary career—many of which are ever-so-slightly NSFW (these older drivers are from a less politically correct time, and all the more hilarious for it).
After Mansell leaves, most guests gravitate to the trackside viewing deck to find a spot to watch the first practise of the weekend—and the first time the new regulation F1 cars hit the Silverstone track. It’s somewhat surreal to be enjoying a beer in an almost party-like atmosphere while watching the cars go past mere feet away. But for this F1 fan, it’s a real treat.
An experience-rich Silverstone weekend
Given everything I’ve seen, I’m not surprised that so many people have checked in to The Pop-Up Hotel Silverstone for the weekend—the space offers so much, even if you have no intention of catching the on-track sessions, so it’s no wonder this is one of the hottest tickets for the weekend.
The concept has proven so successful in the world of sports that The Pop-Up Hotel will return to Monaco and Silverstone in 2027, while also adding the F1 race at the iconic Monza track before taking on the world of golf when the Ryder Cup heads to Ireland in September.
Learn more about The Pop-Up Hotel
But wait, there’s more…
- These are the very best boutique hotels in the United Kingdom
- We’re just back from a stay at The Pilgrm in London
- And here’s what it’s like to take the Caledonian Sleeper Train from Glasgow to London
