Karting birthday parties in London
11 tracks in London run birthday parties events. The single thing that decides whether this works is age and height, and it catches people out constantly.
The 11 tracks
Gravity MAX Stratford City
Stratford, London
Gravity MAX Stratford City is a large indoor entertainment venue inside Westfield Stratford City, next to the Olympic Park in east London. Its e-karting area has two separate multi-level tracks that climb between ground and upper levels and can be linked into one longer circuit; the track builder puts each at just under 200 metres.
Price not published
Gravity MAX Wandsworth
Wandsworth, London
Gravity MAX Wandsworth is an indoor leisure venue in the Southside centre on Wandsworth High Street in south-west London, with an electric go-kart track as one of its main attractions. The karting sits alongside bowling, street golf, darts, VR games, an arcade and bars under one roof.
Price not published
K1 Speed Canary Wharf
Canary Wharf, London
K1 Speed Canary Wharf is the UK site of an international chain with more than a hundred locations, and it is one hundred per cent electric. The karts are indoor and battery powered, which puts it in a small group alongside Revolution Karting on the other side of the city.
Revolution Karting
Mile End, London
Revolution Karting sits in the arches on Burdett Road at Mile End, and is London's most central outdoor kart track. Genuine tarmac, 450 metres, open all year in all but extreme weather, and running for over twenty years.
Price not published
Surbiton Raceway
Worcester Park, London
Surbiton Raceway at Worcester Park runs three separate outdoor tracks, which is more than almost anywhere else we list, and it means the age bands are properly catered for rather than fudged with restricted karts.
Price not published
TeamSport Go Karting West London Acton
Acton, London
TeamSport Acton is an indoor electric karting venue on Allied Way in west London, a short walk from Acton Central station. The 500-metre track runs over more than one level, and TeamSport says laps here typically come in under 30 seconds.
Price not published
TeamSport Go Karting & Bowling Brent Cross
Brent Cross, London
TeamSport Brent Cross is on level 4 of the Blue car park at Brent Cross Shopping Centre in north-west London, and combines indoor electric karting with an eight-lane bowling alley. Rather than one long circuit it has a 200-metre Starter track, a 350-metre Main track, and an Extended layout that links the two into a 550-metre, 18-corner lap.
Price not published
TeamSport Go Karting Docklands East London
Greenwich, London
TeamSport Docklands is an indoor karting venue on Herringham Road in Greenwich, south-east London. At 800 m its multi-level circuit is long for an indoor track, with nine corners, long straights and changes of height.
Price not published
TeamSport Go Karting North London Edmonton
Edmonton, London
TeamSport Edmonton is an indoor karting venue on Nobel Road in north London, near the North Circular. Its 800-metre track is laid out over several levels with nine corners and wide straights that leave room for overtaking.
Price not published
TeamSport Go Karting Mitcham South London
Mitcham, London
TeamSport Mitcham is an indoor electric kart track on Streatham Road in south London, between Tooting and Mitcham. At 800 metres with 21 corners and a full mezzanine level, TeamSport lists it among the longest indoor tracks in the UK.
Price not published
Traq Motor Racing
Croydon, London
Traq Motor Racing is an outdoor motorsport site on Jessops Way in Croydon, south London, with a tarmac kart track alongside off-road tracks for quads, motocross and pit bikes.
Price per minute
Session price divided by minutes on track, calculated the same way everywhere. Group event pricing differs, so treat this as a guide to relative value.
Minimum group sizes
The thing that catches groups out. Below the minimum you either pay for absent drivers or book an open session instead.
What to look for
Age and height together
Always check both. The gap between a 1.20m and a 1.40m minimum is the difference between an eight-year-old driving and watching.
Cadet karts, not restricted adult karts
Purpose-built junior karts fit smaller drivers properly. Some tracks also fit remote speed limiters so staff can build a nervous child up gradually.
Separate junior sessions
Children mixed in with adults have a worse time. Ask whether junior sessions run separately.
What the package includes
Food, a private room, a podium and a trophy make it a party. Without them it is a driving session with cake in the car.
Questions worth asking
- What is the minimum height, not just the minimum age?
- Will the children race on their own, or mixed with adults?
- Is food included, and can you handle allergies?
- How long will we actually be on site?