Karting at Haynes

Karting at Haynes runs on the grounds of the Haynes International Motor Museum at Sparkford (BA22 7LH) near Yeovil in Somerset. The outdoor circuit delivers an F1 feel with track lighting and a pit wall that keeps spectators in the action, and reaches speeds up to 50 mph.

The outdoor track is laid out as a technical circuit with several braking zones and overtaking lines. Karts come in three categories: Viper Tony Junior 160cc for drivers from age 8, Viper Tony Adult 270cc, and a Biz Kart 2-seater (for younger children and disabled passengers). A Tag Heuer professional timing system handles lap tracking. The site presents itself as Somerset's premier outdoor karting venue, hosting corporate events, stag and hen parties, and kids' birthday parties, with trophies and medals awarded to the winners. Bookings on flow.alphatiming.co.uk/kartingathaynes/book or 01963 400 591 ([email protected]).

The Haynes International Motor Museum (Haynes Publishing, founded by John Haynes in 1960 for automotive workshop manuals) holds more than 400 cars and motorcycles, one of the largest private motor collections in the UK. Sparkford is a historic village in rural Somerset. Yeovil 8 km south with the Fleet Air Arm Museum (Royal Naval Air Service from 1908). Cadbury Castle (an Iron Age hillfort identified by some scholars as King Arthur's Camelot) 3 km south-east. Glastonbury Tor medieval hilltop and its ruined abbey 20 km west. Wells Cathedral 12th-13th century and Wells Bishop's Palace 30 km west. Cheddar Gorge Mendip Hills canyon 40 km north-west. Stourhead National Trust Palladian house and gardens (Henry Hoare 1741) 15 km east. Bath UNESCO 1987 50 km north. Stonehenge UNESCO 1986 50 km south-east.