Motocross
9 of the best UK motocross tracks
Looking for somewhere to shred? Or just want to watch some awesome MX action?
Here’s our pick of the best motocross tracks in the UK.
Did you know that the sport of motocross (or scrambling as it was formerly known) was first conceived in the UK. Yes, that’s right, one of the world’s most kick-ass, adrenalin-pumping motorsports was born right here in the land of tea and crumpets.
Because of that, this country has a deep and storied history with the sport – and the tracks to go with it. Despite all that history, though, a lot of our favourite riding spots are under threat of closure. So make sure you support your local facility by checking out some of the UK’s best motocross tracks – then get out and ride them!
1. The most iconic – Hawkstone Park
Find it here: SY4 4NA
Hawkstone is a legendary track
© Honda
Nestled in a quiet corner of Shropshire, this former Grand Prix circuit rose to global fame during the 70s and 80s as the annual host of the British Motocross Grand Prix.
In 1984, Hawkstone Park was immortalised after Nick Haskell captured THAT photo of Georges Jobe leaping over the head of Andre Malherbe. Quickly becoming the most iconic single image in the sport’s history, the resulting poster of the ‘Hawkstone bomb hole’ adorned bedroom walls across the world.
Today, Hawkstone Park holds rounds of the British Motocross Championship, while every February, the track plays host to the famous Hawkstone International pre-season race. And despite the sands of Hawkstone creating a brutal racetrack, most racers in the British Championship paddock cite it as their favourite circuit.
Best feature… The Hawkstone Hill is the most famous obstacle in the country (after the Hawkstone bomb hole was removed). It’s one of the longest, steepest hill climbs in the sport. Most definitely a sight to behold – and a hell of a workout trying to walk to the top!
What does a lap of the track look like?
2. The most historic – Farleigh Castle
Find it here: BA2 7RR
Farleigh Castle
© Maxxis British Motocross
Dating back to the pre-war era, Farleigh Castle is said to be one of the oldest circuits on the planet. Named after the medieval castle that looms over the circuit in the quaint Somerset village of Farleigh Hungerford, Farleigh Castle has been a staple of the British motocross scene for decades.
Much like Hawkstone Park, Farleigh Castle played host to the British Motocross Grand Prix for many years. In 1985, Dave Thorpe – Britain’s most decorated motocross world champion – famously wowed crowds with a last-to-first comeback at Farleigh.
A drone shot of the actual Farleigh Castle castle!
© Max Hind
Farleigh Castle has a more traditional, natural layout and track design than most UK tracks (you’ll find no huge, death-defying jumps here). Despite that,it remains one of the most fun tracks you may ever get to ride. The soil at Farleigh is loamy dirt. Left alone for the majority of year, the circuit is allowed to regrow its grass annually – making for some of the best conditions possible when time comes to rip it up!
Every year, Farleigh Castle also hosts the annual Vets Motocross des Nations, a sort of Goodwood Revival for motocross. Truly a great weekend, and an awesome look back into the sport’s history.
Best Feature… The famous steps that a rider must conquer as he descends the hill in the wooded section of the track have challenged many of the world’s best over the years.
What does a lap of the track look like?
3. The best facilities – Desertmartin
Find it here: BT45 5QW
How much fun does Desertmartin look?
© Max Hind
Northern Ireland’s finest, Desertmartin was purpose-built to host the modern-day MX Grand Prix extravaganza. This means that the facilities on offer are among the best out there. The track itself is wide and fast, more often than not making for spectacular racing. The sand-based circuit does get rough and tough, and is enough to challenge the best riders in the land.
The scenic circuit regularly hosts British Championship events, as well as the British Youth Nationals and, of course, the Irish and Ulster Motocross Championships. You just can’t help but take a few pictures when you arrive for the very first time at Desertmartin – it’s a pretty damn special place.
Best feature… The Iveco downhill jump sees riders leap back down into the main spectating basin after disappearing out of view for a few corners. It’s always a cool moment, especially when the style masters bust out the biggest scrubs they possibly can.
What does a lap of the track look like?
4. The best crowd – Canada Heights
Find it here: BR8 8DZ
Canada Heights is the best bet for Londoners
© Suzuki
Its proximity to the nation’s capital means that the crowds at Canada Heights are always big and always loud. Located just south of the Dartford Bridge, Canada Heights is nestled in a set of hillside woods, making it a very scenic location for a motocross track.
The Heights has been a regular stop on the British Motocross Championship tour for a number of years now, and for very good reason. The mix of light sand and hard pack sections, as well as the great elevation changes and spectacular jumps, make Canada Heights a fantastic track for close, bar-to-bar racing. There are a lot of great tracks on the British Championship tour – Lyng, Blaxhall and Foxhill are just three that come to mind – but in our opinion, none of them quite reach the height of the Heights!
Best feature… The long uphill start straight is synonymous with Canada Heights. You’ve got to win this drag race before you think about winning anything else.
What does a lap of the track look like?
5. The toughest – Fatcat Motoparc
Find it here: DN3 3EH
If you can ride at Fatcat, you can ride anywhere
© Max Hind
Without doubt the toughest circuit in the country, the deep sands of Fatcat Motoparc provide an experience unlike anything else in the UK. If you can conquer Fatcat, you can ride anywhere. The deep sands, bumps, and ruts of the practice track make for a tough battle as you spin your laps around the circuit.
Fatcat also boasts a host of great facilities, including a tarmac go kart circuit along with the two full-sized motocross tracks – the practice track ironically being the tougher of the two. Fatcat regularly hosts national-scale events, and is also open for general practice every Wednesday, Saturday, and Sunday. Located just off the M18 near Doncaster, Fatcat is easily accessible and most definitely worth a visit.
Best feature… The whole of the practice track is an incredible challenge.
What does a lap of the track look like?
6. The most epic – Matterly Basin
Find it here: SO21 1HW
The action at Matterly is always hot
© Ray Archer/Red Bull Content Pool
So far we’ve listed some of the best tracks in the country. Matterly Basin, on the other hand, may be one of the best in the world.
Used only once a year, Matterly has become the modern day home of the British Motocross Grand Prix, being one of the only locations large enough to house a global event. For 2017, Matterly is not hosting a round of the Motocross Grand Prix Championship. Instead, the circuit, located just outside of Winchester, will host the Motocross of Nations – the biggest dirt bike event in the world.
The fast, flowing layout and ridiculously massive jumps make Matterly a truly special circuit – it’s even said to be eight-time world champion Tony Cairoli’s favourite track. The natural basin that the track sits in means that Matterly provides the best viewing spots of any Grand Prix-scale outdoor motocross circuit in the world. There’s no other place like Matterly.
Best feature… The quad step up is stone cold ridiculous! It shouldn’t be possible to jump a dirt bike that far, let alone do it lap after lap in the middle of a race. It never, ever gets old watching the best riders in the world leap this gravity defying jump.
What does a lap of the track look like?
… and three of the UK's most accessible tracks
This list contains a who’s who of Grand Prix and British Championship-level tracks. That’s all well and good, but for the average dude, those tracks could be a bit much. Besides, some of them aren’t even regularly open and available to ride. So with that in mind, here’s a quick 1-2-3 punch of great-yet-accessible tracks that you should definitely consider checking out.
7. Besthorpe
Find it here: NR17 2LQ
Besthorpe is a great choice for amateur riders
© Max Hind
Let’s start in the east. Besthorpe motocross track is a great hard pack practice facility perfect for riders of all abilities. The super friendly staff make each visit a pleasure. Besthorpe is open for practice on Wednesdays, Saturdays and Sundays.
8. Mildenhall MX
Find it here: IP28 8QL
Mildenhall with its famous over/under bridge
© Max Hind
Just across the Norfolk/Suffolk border, you’ll find the very professional Mildenhall MX. This light sand track is great for getting used to softer conditions, and is probably the only track in the country with an over/under bridge. You can spin laps here on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays.
9. Apex Motocross
Find it here: WR4 0AA
Apex is a woodchip track, so great for all seasons
© Max Hind
Over to the Midlands now. Apex Motocross track is literally just off Junction 6 of the M5. Apex pretty much started the woodchip movement in UK motocross (rather than sand or clay, the track is woodchip-based). This means that the track can handle most weather conditions and gets pretty rough after a day’s riding. The track boasts features to challenge all abilities. Apex is open Wednesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays.