Lakeside Karting

Unclaimed listing Purfleet, Thurrock · Operated by Lakeside Karting Ltd, Lets Go Active Checked 22 Aug 2026

Circuit layout pending — we only publish geometry from OpenStreetMap or the operator, never drawn by hand.

Type
Outdoor
Circuits
2
Access
Hire karts
Min age
3 years

About the track

Lakeside Karting sits on the A1306 Arterial Road at Purfleet, about half an hour from central London and a few minutes from Lakeside Shopping Centre. It holds the International Rental Karting Award for Best Customer Experience, and is run by Lets Go Active, who also operate Brentwood Karting.

There are two tracks. The floodlit International circuit takes 200cc junior karts from 8 and adult karts, with Family Fun sessions restricted to indoor-track speeds and Family Race sessions unrestricted. A separate purpose-built junior circuit runs F1 Electric karts for 3 to 7 year olds, from £15.

It is unusually well set up for children. Holiday Karting Fundays for 8 to 16 year olds start at £45 and run at least six races with a 10-lap final, medals and certificates. Children's parties from £275 cover up to 15 children with exclusive use of the junior track and a bouncy castle.

Two things worth knowing before you go. Balaclavas are mandatory with a hire helmet and you buy a reusable cotton one plus gloves on arrival, so that is a cost on top. And onboard cameras are banned outright, following National Karting Association guidance.

Their accessibility approach is more considered than most. Colour blind drivers can use written boards and hand signals instead of flags, and rather than turning away drivers with other needs the operator runs a risk assessment and asks you to speak to a manager.

Which circuit can they drive?

Different circuits here take different ages, so the headline minimum isn't the whole story.

International circuit 200cc junior kart, 8 and over · Adult kart Family Fun sessions run the karts restricted to indoor-track speeds. Family Race sessions run them unrestricted. Fully floodlit, so evening racing runs year-round.
8+no height limit given
Junior electric circuit F1 Electric kart, ages 3 to 7 A purpose-built children's track, separate from the main circuit, used for electric karting and party bookings.
3+no height limit given

The karts

  • 200cc junior kart, 8 and over
  • F1 Electric kart, ages 3 to 7
  • Adult kart
One thing we're checking: Karts are tested regularly and kept within half a second of each other, rotated daily with numbers changed, so you cannot request a particular one. Parts are replaced daily.

Sessions and prices

Set by the track. You book direct — we don't add a fee.

Electric karting, ages 3 to 7 From. On the purpose-built junior circuit.
£15per driver
Holiday Karting Funday, ages 8 to 16 From, per child. At least six races, a 10-lap final for the top drivers, lap-time printouts, medals for the podium and certificates for everyone.
£45per driver
Children's karting party, ages 3 and up From, for up to 15 children. Exclusive use of the junior karting track and the bouncy castle.
£275per driver
Timed practice session Family Fun sessions are restricted to indoor-track speeds, Family Race sessions are unrestricted. Includes racewear hire, online video briefing and a lap-time printout.
Ask the track
One-to-one tuition 30 minutes of theory plus two 15-minute driving sessions with former British Kart Champion Scott Law.
Ask the track
Open race event Often sells out, so adding drivers on the day is unlikely.
Ask the track
Exclusive race event Deposit to secure, full payment 14 days before.
Ask the track
Whole circuit hire, weekday Per day.
£10000per driver
Whole circuit hire, weekend day Per day. Bespoke packages on request.
£15000per driver
Annual membership Benefits change, but the main one is skipping the video briefing on repeat visits.
£20per driver

Good for

Arrive & driveBirthday partiesStag & henTeam buildingGrand PrixTeam enduranceTuition & race school

Planning your visit

Arrive 60 minutes earlyYour booked slot is your on-track start time, not your arrival time
Race eventsAllow around arrive 1 hour before track time on site
Practice sessionsAllow around arrive 45 minutes before on site
In the rainOutdoor and fully floodlit, so evening and winter sessions run normally. Check seasonal opening hours before travelling.
Bringing your own helmetOwn helmets accepted. If you use your own, a balaclava is optional rather than required.
Action camerasOnboard cameras are not permitted. Lakeside follow National Karting Association guidance, which followed a Motor Sport Association ban on safety grounds.

Accessibility

  • Colour blind drivers can take practice sessions, with written boards and hand signals used instead of coloured flags if staff are told in advance.
  • For any driver whose needs fall outside the norm, the operator carries out a risk assessment rather than refusing outright, and asks that you speak to a manager.
  • Anyone unsure whether they will fit is invited to come and try a kart for size before booking.
  • C2C rail from Fenchurch Street or Liverpool Street, and roughly 30 minutes from central London by car.
  • Plenty of free parking. No crèche, so young children cannot be left unsupervised while you drive.

Questions people ask

How young can children drive at Lakeside?

Three, on the separate junior circuit in F1 Electric karts, from £15. The main International circuit starts at 8 in the 200cc junior karts.

What does children's karting cost?

Electric karting for 3 to 7 year olds starts at £15. A Holiday Karting Funday for 8 to 16 year olds is from £45 and includes at least six races. A children's party is from £275 for up to 15 children with exclusive use of the junior track and a bouncy castle.

What is the difference between a Fun session and a Race session?

The karts. Family Fun sessions run them restricted to roughly indoor-track speeds, which suits beginners and mixed groups. Family Race sessions run them unrestricted.

Do I have to buy a balaclava?

Yes, if you use one of their helmets. You buy a reusable cotton balaclava and gloves on arrival. If you bring your own helmet, a balaclava is optional.

Can I use a GoPro or helmet camera?

No. Onboard cameras are not permitted, following National Karting Association guidance which followed a Motor Sport Association ban on safety grounds.

How early should I arrive?

An hour before track time for race events, 45 minutes for practice. Arriving even five minutes late may cut your track time, and more than ten to fifteen minutes late may cost you the slot with no refund.

Will I fit in the karts?

The operator has had drivers at 20 stone and 6ft 7in, but says everyone is a different shape and cannot guarantee it. You are welcome to come down and try a kart for size before booking.

I am colour blind. Can I drive?

Yes, for practice sessions. Tell the circuit operators in advance and they will use written boards and hand signals rather than coloured flags.

Do you offer tuition?

Yes, one-to-one coaching with former British Kart Champion Scott Law, covering 30 minutes of theory and two 15-minute driving sessions.

How do I get there without a car?

C2C rail from Fenchurch Street or Liverpool Street. By car it is roughly 30 minutes from central London, with plenty of free parking.

Is membership worth it?

It is £20 a year, and the benefit most people mention is not having to sit through the video safety briefing on every visit.

Can I hire the whole circuit?

Yes. A weekday is £10,000 and a weekend day £15,000, with bespoke packages on request.

Getting there

Purfleet, Thurrock, RM19 1EA
01708 863070
[email protected]

Where this came from

  • policies, accessibility, address, facilities — https://www.lakeside-karting.co.uk/faqs/ (Operator's own site)
  • circuits, karts, junior pricing — https://www.lakeside-karting.co.uk/go_karting_prices_for_children_juniors/ (Operator's own site)