Santa Pod Raceway
Santa Pod Raceway, Wellingborough: Hours, Address, Santa Pod Raceway Reviews: 4.5/5
Santa Pod Raceway
Santa Pod Raceway
4.5
8:30 AM - 5:30 PM
Monday
8:30 AM - 5:30 PM
Tuesday
8:30 AM - 5:30 PM
Wednesday
8:30 AM - 5:30 PM
Thursday
8:30 AM - 5:30 PM
Friday
8:30 AM - 5:30 PM
Saturday
8:30 AM - 5:30 PM
Sunday
8:30 AM - 5:30 PM
About
Home of the FIA European Drag Racing Championships, the fastest & loudest motorsport on Earth! Santa Pod hosts 80 events annually including: Drag Racing, Modified Car Shows, VW Beetle & Campervan Festivals, Japanese Performance Car Shows, Retro & Classic Car Shows, Run What Ya Brung (RWYB) and Drift What Ya Brung (DWYB) public track days. Enjoy VIP / Corporate Hospitality and fantastic family days out in the heart of England (on the border of Northamptonshire and Bedfordshire) and see Top Fuel Dragsters, Jet Cars, Rocket Bikes, Monster Trucks, Drifting, Stunt Displays and much more.
Suggested duration
More than 3 hours
Suggest edits to improve what we show.
Improve this listingFull view
Top ways to experience nearby attractions
The area
Address
Best nearby
Restaurants
18 within 3 miles
The Watering Can Cafe Bistro
3
1.2 mi$ • Cafe
Wyevale
42
1.3 mi$$ - $$$ • Quick Bites • British • Pub
The Bell
293
2.1 mi$$ - $$$ • Bar • British • Pub
The New Inn
77
2.2 mi$$ - $$$ • Pub • Vegetarian Friendly • Gluten Free Options
Bedford Arms Souldrop
242
2.3 mi$$ - $$$ • Bar • British • Pub
The Oakley Arms
48
2.4 mi$$ - $$$ • British • Pub • Gastropub
The Muntjac
92
2.4 mi$$ - $$$ • Indian • Asian • Pub
Spices of Paradise
137
2.4 mi$$ - $$$ • Indian • Asian • Balti
Harrolds Indian
5
2.4 mi$$ - $$$ • Indian • Asian • Balti
Harrold Green Fish Bar
10
2.4 mi
Attractions
66 within 6 miles
Wellingborough Museum
180
Speciality Museums
Irchester Country Park
369
Parks
Harrold-Odell Country Park
453
2.5 miParks
Rushden Lakes Shopping Centre
567
Shopping Malls
Sharnbrook Summit and Wymington Meadow
3
1.5 miNature & Wildlife Areas
Rushden Hall Park
39
Parks • Gardens
Rushden Transport Museum & Railway
79
Speciality Museums
The Stanwick Lakes to Rushden Lakes walk
18
2.9 miScenic Walking Areas
Kathy Brown's Garden
47
Gardens
The Castle Theatre
147
Theaters
Contribute
Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
523 reviews
Excellent
316
Very good
127
Average
36
Poor
19
Terrible
26
GBB096
Stafford, UK449 contributions
Couples
Mopar weekend, never disappoints. First time we had camped over though so we could make the most of the racing. Weather not the best but you cant change that. Toilets and showers were very clean. They charge £1.50 for the showers, open 7am till 11am and 5pm till 8pm. I thought they were clean and did the job. Not all food vendors were open, guessing its to do with COVID or volume of people. Always organised well. Would camp again, with a bigger tent!
Written August 9, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
RescuedVegan
Hertfordshire, UK1,063 contributions
Hubby raced on Saturday, I turned up to meet him. Food court has many options, vegans be happy in the knowledge you won’t starve! Tea huts have soya/oat milk, lots of different requirements are catered for. Well organised racing as so established. One thing to note moaning people......I have spoken to a few members of staff, many of these are VOLUNTEERS, they are not paid! They do what they do for the love of motorsport. So....Quit yer b*tchin!
Written June 22, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Roej88
Northamptonshire, UK88 contributions
Family
Recently went to Santa Pod for the first time with my motor racing mad 4 year old. We had a fantastic day so much going on, on track and off. It really was a great day. The only negative was actually trying to get out of the place at the end of the day I was in the car park for over an hour trying to get out which to be honest tarnished what was a great day. I get how difficult it is trying to get lots of people out of a venue but there didn't seem to be a plan to do it and there were cars everywhere and lots of very frustrated/agitated people.
Written November 5, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
959Hatter
Milton Keynes, UK75 contributions
no racing no communication I had pre-booked 3 tickets costing £63 I knew there were chances of rain and yes it did during the night and very first thing.
I went onto both Twitter and Facebook and there were no updates (where is your social media person??) so I arrived at 9.45 and straight away was worried as racing should had already started.
Before anyone says I should had known let me say this was only my 2nd time last time was many years ago and don't know anything about racing but wanted to experience the roar and smell the fuel.
I spoke to two supervisors and another staff member during the 70 minutes we were here and all they said was we haven't had any updates. YET people were still arriving.
I did pay for insurance and after checking once home read that on Rained of events there is no refund. Rubbish there should be something.
shame on you Santa Pod
I went onto both Twitter and Facebook and there were no updates (where is your social media person??) so I arrived at 9.45 and straight away was worried as racing should had already started.
Before anyone says I should had known let me say this was only my 2nd time last time was many years ago and don't know anything about racing but wanted to experience the roar and smell the fuel.
I spoke to two supervisors and another staff member during the 70 minutes we were here and all they said was we haven't had any updates. YET people were still arriving.
I did pay for insurance and after checking once home read that on Rained of events there is no refund. Rubbish there should be something.
shame on you Santa Pod
Written June 5, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Betchina
Leicestershire, UK8 contributions
Just about to book tickets for the main event as went a few years ago and loved it, nearly £200 for a family of 4 , 2 adults and 2 teens 15+16. So for the entry and a grandstand seat and before any others purchases cost was too expensive. Tickets have gone up from £35 last week to £45 this week and also the grandstand tickets went up. WHY? Won’t be attending, greed is a horrible thing, no need to add £10 to each ticket weeks before the event. Will find somewhere else to go.
Written May 20, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Aleksandra_Dior90
London, UK13 contributions
Business
My first time coming to experience SantaPod. Bought £10 ticket and paid an additional £10 as a passenger but couldn’t use it due to weather condition, it started to rain and they have shut the racing track. Cars started turning back after 45 mins wait time. I went to reception and wanted to ask about the refund, but before even finishing my sentence I got interrupted by this blonde, with fake eyelashes, bad attitude and a customer service woman, who told me to stop talking and listen to her! Which kinda shocked me as I didn’t expect any of ThAt. Then she started telling the full story of what they doing and to come back in an hour to get my “voucher” etc I said to her but rain forecast is until 14:00 ( bearing in mind we are already queuing from 10.30am). So she turned me down and sent me out. Obviously it was difficult for her to process the voucher at the time and keep it at the civil level, rather than raising voice at the customer (me). I really didn’t get her logic why do I have to come back in an hour if all cars were turning back anyway? And why does she need to be so rude? In front of her other colleagues?
I am admin of Abarth Club and we brought 80ppl today to enjoy the event and have a pleasant experience. But someone like that rude and unprofessional can really f** it up.
I am admin of Abarth Club and we brought 80ppl today to enjoy the event and have a pleasant experience. But someone like that rude and unprofessional can really f** it up.
Written March 15, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Nigel B
1 contribution
Friends
The organisation was a joke, I've been coming here since the early 80s and this is the worst main event I've been to, the top fuel cars all 3 of them didn't even make the short finish line without breaking, the funny cars weren't much better. The amount of motorcycle classes were a joke. The time it takes to clear the track seems to be planned to make up some time, due to lack of race vehicle's. I think Santa pods great times are over!!!
Written May 30, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
tonygc216
Kettering, UK52 contributions
Wow, how we have missed this place. After what seems like years we visited Santa Pod this weekend for the Drag Racing Extravaganza.
The weather was perfect and the set up was spot on.
A great weekend was had by all.
The weather was perfect and the set up was spot on.
A great weekend was had by all.
Written June 27, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Martin N
Chesterfield, UK139 contributions
Couples
Great day out at BMW show. Lots of covid measures in place but most people ignoring them. One way systems in place for entry and exit to the grandstandsbut people using any ecit they wanted to. No social distancing at the food vans either
Written June 19, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Abbi
5 contributions
Couples
Absolutely loved it, this was our second time and both times it has been organised brilliantly, theres always something going off. Great variety of cars to view and watch. The shows were brilliant we watched the same show twice it was that Good. Would definitely recommend.
Written October 28, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Denny Abrey
Haverhill, UK
Does anyone know any of the prices for the festival of power on the Friday , and any times that the shows are on ?
pete20chris
Heywood, UK74 contributions
Check with the santa pod website all the info is there
As regards to the times it usually starts at 9.00am and runs all day weather permitting
Michael C
Fairford, UK31 contributions
Do they do camping all through the year?
Looking to go to The Fast Show in march but it's a 4 hour round trip so wanted to camp the night.
pete20chris
Heywood, UK74 contributions
Yes they do camping but it's not nice camping area if the weather is bad and if it rains the racing stops
Rhian J
Oswestry, UK44 contributions
iv booked a weekend ticket so we can camp what times do the gates lose as we have a long way to come may not arrive till 11pm-12am on Friday would we need to then wait untill the morning to be able to get in ??
pete20chris
Heywood, UK74 contributions
Not sure it's along time since we did camping we stay outside in Airbnb or have done hotels
The camping area is horrible if it rains and depending on where you pitch some people around you can be noisy and upto all sorts.
mike787
Warwickshire263 contributions
I am thinking of going to the venue this weekend for the European finals, (Sept 5-8). I have never been before. I enjoy photography as a hobby and wondered which lens would be best suited. How far are spectators from the drag strip either on the bank or the grandstand? I guess the grandstand will be crammed and there will be little room to move around. I am lucky in that I have a vast choice of lenses to choose from, I realise space may be limited, especially if a tripod is needed for a larger lens and that would certainly rule out the grandstand. I'm just trying to take only what is necessary.
John D
Upminster, UK67 contributions
Hi mate, you can get to around 40/60 ft from the cars on the start line.you get good shots from closer to the end of the banking but there is more danger involved if a car losses control it may hit the banking so take care, have fun...
JD
Going to monster truck nationals on Sunday, is the pit party worth doing?
Any other top tips for the day please? I am going with my 3 boys all under 8 years.
Thanks very much
Andrew T
Rugby, UK12 contributions
I would say yes, you will get up close and probably be able to talk to the guys. The great thing about Santa Pod is the informality - quite the opposite of F1.
Remember the ear defenders! And enjoy.
How much are the monster truck rides at monster truck nationals?
Where do the monster trucks perform? Can we sit on a grass bank and watch?
What is the best time to get there, for when it opens at 9am?
First time going and taking my 3 sons. Thanks very much
Brian C
Glasgow, UK19 contributions
Hi,
I'm not sure how much the Monster Truck ride is, but I think it's very reasonably priced. They perform several times a day in their own arena, where there is a seating area at one end, or you can watch from the grassy bank overlooking the arena. The bank also overlooks the main drag strip.
Racing usually starts around 9-9.30am, and goes on until evening (weather permitting) and there are people arriving throughout the morning, so there are no huge queues to get in. All the cars run twice or more so you won't miss anything if you arrive a bit later.
Be sure to buy a programme, which is extremely informative and includes a really good guide to everything you're likely to see.
It's very loud - for me that's the best bit! - ear defenders for kids & adults alike are on sale throughout the site.
Enjoy!
Boyskater
Leicester, UK18 contributions
Are camping facilities good? And what is there ie shower block toilets
needabreak007
Uckfield, UK70 contributions
Toilets are cleaned regularly and yes there is shower block you do have to pay but its hot and clean, we’ve camped three times with no issues and always happy, family camping
is quieter but a little further away.
paultuff
Grimsby, UK6 contributions
what is the best hospitality package to go for ,i see there are a few options inc pit side,open suite,grandstand and quarter mile club not much difference in price .looking to go to the flame and thunder meet later in the year...
pete20chris
Heywood, UK74 contributions
Never been in hospitality
We always go to the finals in September
We like the big stuff !!!! top fuel dragster from all over Europe !! We get seats on grandstand great view
Recommend buying tickets in advance before event advance tickets price cheaper
jes1232
Telford, UK4 contributions
I’m interested in booking the main event, is there any difference in regards to what day to go? Thanks
Seamus B
Irthlingborough, UK37 contributions
Each day is high octane fun. For me the biggest difference is the weather forecast. Even though it is cheaper to buy you tickets in advance. I personally think it’s worth the extra to look at the x3 day forecast on Friday morning and choose the best weather day and pay at the door. Congestion is minimal if you get there 9.30am
Frequently Asked Questions about Santa Pod Raceway
- Santa Pod Raceway is open:
- Sun - Sat 8:30 AM - 5:30 PM
- Hotels near Santa Pod Raceway:
- (3.35 mi) The Sharnbrook Hotel
- (6.22 mi) 5 Chapel Street B&B
- (5.00 mi) Premier Inn Wellingborough hotel
- (6.69 mi) The Stanwick Hotel
- (4.88 mi) The Old House
- Restaurants near Santa Pod Raceway:
- (2.97 mi) Khandan Indian Restaurant
- (3.78 mi) Rose & Crown
- (3.90 mi) La Estrella Tapas Bar & Coffee
- (5.23 mi) Three Fyshes Inn
- (8.92 mi) Deshi Spice
- Attractions near Santa Pod Raceway:
- (1.34 mi) Skirmish Central Paintball
- (3.40 mi) Ready Steady Roll - Board Game Cafe
- (4.18 mi) Conflict Paintball
- (8.83 mi) Ultimate Warbird Flights
- (5.78 mi) Trapp'd Wellingborough