Cadwell Park Track Day: Dates, Prices, Noise Limits and How to Book

A Cadwell Park track day runs on the full 3.5km (2.17-mile) Lincolnshire circuit, home to the famous Mountain jump and the tight, undulating Woodland section that makes this one of the most technical and rewarding tracks in the UK. Most open-pitlane and sessioned days cost roughly £150–£270 depending on the operator and time of year, run from around 09:00 to 17:00 with a lunch break, and are subject to a strict static noise limit of 100dB(A) — one of the lower limits in UK motorsport, so it is the first thing to check before you book anything.

Cadwell sits near Louth in the Lincolnshire Wolds, and it is deliberately narrow, hilly and old-school — think "a mini Nürburgring" rather than a wide modern Grand Prix layout. That makes it brilliant for drivers who want to improve, but it also means there is nowhere to hide if you arrive underprepared. Here is everything you need to book a day, pass the noise test and get the most out of the circuit.

What a Cadwell Park track day actually involves

Track days at Cadwell are run by independent operators who hire the circuit from MotorSport Vision (MSV), the owner. You are not racing — there is no timing, no overtaking battles and no trophies. You pay for track time to drive your own car (or bike) at your own pace within the day's rules. Days typically fall into three formats:

• Open pitlane — you come and go from the pits as you like, so you manage your own track time around traffic and the weather. Best for experienced drivers.
• Sessioned — the day is split into run groups (often novice, inter, experienced) that rotate in fixed slots. Calmer and far better for a first-timer.
• Noise-restricted / bike-specific days — Cadwell has a strong motorcycle heritage, so plenty of dates are bikes-only.

If this is your first time on any circuit, read our sister site's guide to beginner track days for cars before you commit — it walks through booking, kit and the first session in plain English.

Cadwell Park track day prices

Prices vary by operator, format and date, and you should always confirm the current figure on the booking page rather than assuming. As a rough guide for recent seasons:

Format	Typical price (car)	Notes
Sessioned day (midweek)	£150–£200	Best value; quieter track
Open pitlane (weekend)	£200–£270	More track time, busier
Evening / half day	£80–£140	Limited dates, summer only
Passenger / instructor add-on	£20–£50 per session	Instruction highly recommended for your first visit

Factor in extras too: fuel (Cadwell is hard on brakes and tyres, so budget for both), the drive to Lincolnshire, and possibly a night's accommodation in or near Louth if you are coming from the south or west. Always check exact dates, operators and live availability on the motorsport calendar and filter by venue using the event map.

The 100dB noise limit — don't get turned away

Cadwell Park's static noise limit is 100dB(A), measured at 0.5m from the exhaust at a set engine speed during the morning noise test. It is one of the tightest limits in the country, and cars that sail through at louder circuits can fail here. If you fail the test, you do not drive — and you generally do not get a refund.

Practical steps before you book:

• Check your car's static reading. If you have run an aftermarket or decat exhaust, assume you are close to the limit.
• A removable db-killer or baffle in the exhaust can be the difference between passing and being sent home.
• Drive-by (ambient) limits may also apply — read the operator's regulations in full, not just the headline figure.
• If in doubt, email the operator with your car and exhaust setup. They would far rather advise you in advance than fail you on the morning.

Learning the circuit: the key corners

Cadwell rewards commitment and punishes guesswork. A few landmarks everyone talks about:

• Coppice — a fast, blind, uphill right-hander taken with real commitment once you trust it. The one that separates the confident from the cautious.
• The Gooseneck — a tight hairpin-ish complex where getting the line right sets up the whole following section.
• The Mountain — a steep crest that launches bikes (and lightens cars) over the top. Smoothness matters more than bravery here.
• Hall Bends — flowing, committed changes of direction through the Woodland. Momentum is everything.

Because it is narrow and blind in places, a session or two with an instructor on your first visit pays for itself. You will learn the lines faster and, just as importantly, learn where it is safe to let faster traffic by.

What to bring

• Helmet to the required standard (check the operator's regs; many accept recent ECE/Snell helmets). Loan helmets are sometimes available.
• Full-sleeve clothing and sensible footwear. Long sleeves and trousers are commonly required.
• Driving licence and your booking confirmation.
• Basic tools, tyre pressure gauge, torque wrench and a bottle of brake fluid if you know your car.
• Tape for lights and number plates, plenty of water and food.

Our sister site covers the full first-timer checklist in what to book, bring and expect.

Getting there and when to go

Cadwell Park is on the A153 between Louth and Horncastle in Lincolnshire — rural, so plan your route and fuel stops. The season broadly runs spring to autumn; midweek days are quieter and cheaper, while summer evening sessions are a great low-commitment first taste if any are scheduled. Weather makes a huge difference here: the circuit drains reasonably well but the Mountain and Coppice are far more intimidating in the wet, so a first-timer might deliberately pick a settled midweek date.

From track day to racing

If a Cadwell day gives you the bug, there is a clear path from passenger laps to competing. A good next step is finding a local club — see our guide to motor clubs near you — and then understanding entry-level licensing in what a Clubman licence costs and how to get one. You can also browse every kind of UK fixture, from circuit racing to sprints and hill climbs, on the main events listing.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need a race licence for a Cadwell Park track day?

No. Track days are non-competitive, so a standard full driving licence is all you need for cars. Bike days have their own requirements, so check the operator's regulations. You only need a competition licence if you move on to actual racing.

What is the noise limit at Cadwell Park?

The static limit is 100dB(A), measured close to the exhaust on the morning of your day. It is stricter than many UK circuits, so check your car's reading in advance and fit a baffle if you are borderline — failing the test usually means no driving and no refund.

Is Cadwell Park good for a first track day?

It is rewarding but technical, narrow and blind in places. A sessioned (rather than open-pitlane) day plus a couple of instructed sessions makes it very manageable for a confident first-timer. If you want something wider and more forgiving for your very first outing, that is worth weighing up.

How do I find current Cadwell Park track day dates?

Operators release dates across the season and availability changes constantly. Check the motorsport calendar and filter by venue, or use the event map to see what is on at Cadwell and nearby circuits.