Cadwell Park

Circuit guide by Chris Pollitt · dates updated 2 November 2026

Cadwell Park is tucked into a valley in the Lincolnshire Wolds a few miles south of Louth. The Wilkinson family ran their first motorbike meeting here in 1934, laid tarmac in 1938, and several corners still carry family names like Charlie's, Chris Curve and Mansfield. MSV owns it now, and it's still one of the most loved tracks in the country, especially with bikers. The 3.502km Full Circuit is the one track days use.

People call it the mini Nürburgring and they're not far off. It's narrow, it climbs and drops constantly, there are blind crests everywhere and the woodland section has very little run-off. That makes it a brilliant day out if you've got a few track days under your belt, and a bit much if it's your first. Lightweight cars and bikes really suit it. Big, heavy cars find the Gooseneck and Hall Bends hard work.

A lap of Cadwell Park

Layout: Full Circuit, 3.502 km (2.18 miles)

From the start, the road climbs towards Coppice. Be patient and turn in late, because if you go early the road runs out on the exit. Charlie's comes straight after, a long right with two apexes. The first part goes over a crest so you can't see the apex, and if you turn in too late you end up stuck in the middle of the road for the second part. Get it right and you carry speed down Park Straight. Park Corner is a narrow funnel with a dip in the braking zone and a blind approach for bikes, so brake earlier than you think.

Chris Curve is a long right that tests your nerve and your tyres, and it drops you straight into the Gooseneck. Scrub off speed before the right-hand part, then commit to the left over the crest before you've finished turning right. Off-camber and falling away, this is one of the most common places to come off a bike. Then the road steepens down to Mansfield, so brake early. Leave it late and you'll lock up on the gradient and either spin or run onto the grass.

The Mountain is a hard brake into a left, then a late turn into a steep climbing right. At the top the car goes light and the driven wheels unload. Front-drive cars spin up, rear-drive cars step out, and bikes wheelie or take off. There's plenty of room, so stay calm and keep it straight.

Over the top you're straight into Hall Bends, where a summit hides the left before the road dives down to the hairpin. Brake in a straight line for second gear, and don't go mad on the exit or you'll spin the wheels. The trees keep this bit damp longer than the rest of the lap and there's no real run-off. Barn finishes it off, falling steeply away on the second half with a camber that pulls you towards the left verge. Turn in too early and you'll slide down it.

Track day tips

• The tree-lined section from Hall Bends to the Hairpin stays wet long after the rest of the track has dried, so be careful there in the morning sessions.
• Brake earlier than you think for Park and Mansfield. Both have something going on in the braking zone, a dip at Park and a steepening descent at Mansfield.
• There's no real run-off at the Hairpin or in the woods. This isn't the place to try something new.
• The static noise test is 105dB at half a metre. Check your organiser's listing for any drive-by limit.
• It's a long way from most motorways, so plan your fuel. Louth and Horncastle are the nearest towns with filling stations.
• Camping and plenty of B&Bs are nearby. Book early for big BSB weekends, when the whole area fills up.

Getting there

Cadwell Park is in the Wolds about five miles south of Louth, LN11 9SE. There's no quick motorway route. Most people come across on the A158 or A16 via Horncastle or Louth, or along the A631 from the A15 and A46 side. Once you're in the Wolds it's all A roads and country lanes, so allow extra time. Market Rasen is the nearest railway station, about 30 minutes by taxi. Louth and Horncastle both have pubs, B&Bs and hotels, and there's camping close to the circuit.