Oulton Park

Circuit guide by Chris Pollitt · dates updated 2 November 2026

Oulton Park sits in the grounds of an old country estate near Little Budworth, and it feels like it. The track rises and falls through woodland and round a lake, with no two corners quite alike. It opened in 1953 and the full International layout is now about 4.3km with 17 corners, which is plenty to learn in a day.

Most people who've driven a lot of UK circuits put Oulton near the top of their list. It rewards commitment and punishes guesswork, because so many corners are blind or sit on a crest. It's a big favourite with bikers (British Superbikes come here several times a year) and with car drivers who like a proper old-school track. Novices can absolutely do it, but expect the first few sessions to be about learning where the road goes, not lap times.

A lap of Oulton Park

Layout: International, 4.307 km (2.68 miles)

Track days run on the International loop. Out of the pit lane you head up to Old Hall, a medium-fast right with a tricky braking zone that tempts you to turn in early. Be patient, then run down through the Denton's kink and into Cascades, a quick cambered left on the way downhill. Stay tight here, the grip is on the inside and running wide just loses you the exit onto Lakeside.

Lakeside is bumpy and undulating, and bikes in particular move around over it. Then comes Island Bend, a very fast left that many regulars rate as the most serious corner on the circuit. Build up to it over several laps. Shell Oils follows, a banked right-hand hairpin where the camber lets you brake later than you'd think and carry speed to a second apex.

Next is the Britten's chicane. Mind the first kerb, it's tall, and get a good exit because the road climbs straight away up to Hilltop. You go over the crest and down towards Hislop's, another chicane with a big first kerb. Treat Hislop's as a compromise and focus on getting the car straight for Knickerbrook, the right that feeds the steep climb of Clay Hill, a 13 percent gradient that hides the track from you as you go up.

Over the top is Druids, a long right with two apexes, ripples, and an exit on a crest. The classic mistake is getting the line wrong, tightening up and lifting over the brow, which is how a lot of spins start. Last is Lodge, with a bumpy braking zone and a late apex on another crest. Get on the power early because it's uphill all the way back to the line.

Track day tips

• Walk or cycle the lap at lunchtime if they allow it. Clay Hill, Druids and Lodge look very different on foot and the crests make more sense.
• Island Bend and Druids are where the big offs happen. Build up gradually, never go in faster than you went in last lap just because it felt fine.
• The Britten's and Hislop's kerbs are tall. Bikes can catch engine cases on the first part of Britten's and low cars can ground out.
• Noise is usually 105dB(A) static and 92dB(A) drive-by. If your car is close, sort it before you go, because the drive-by meters get people every day.
• It's a wooded site, so damp patches linger under the trees after rain, especially through Cascades and down to Lakeside.
• Brake pads and fluid get a hard time from Shell Oils, Old Hall and Lodge. Bring spares if your car is on the edge.

Getting there

Oulton Park is near Little Budworth, between Tarporley and Winsford in Cheshire. From the M6 leave at Junction 18 and head west on the A54, or from the M56 come off at Junction 10 and drop south on the A49. Chester is roughly 12 miles away and Manchester Airport is about 30 miles, so it's easy enough for anyone flying in. Tarporley and Northwich have pubs and hotels, and it's worth booking early on British Superbike or Gold Cup weekends.