Rye House Kart Raceway

Unclaimed listing Hoddesdon, Hertfordshire · Operated by Rye House Kart Raceway Checked 11 Aug 2026

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

Cost per minute on track
£0.95

Best rate, on the bambino or cadet, 60 minutes. Shorter sessions cost more per minute.

Type
Outdoor
Circuits
2
Access
Hire karts & owner-driver
Min age
3 years

About the track

Rye House at Hoddesdon is one of the best known circuits in British karting, and the operator leans on that history, describing it as the track where champions began their careers. It runs a main GP circuit and a separate bespoke junior circuit.

The age ladder here is the most complete we have recorded anywhere. Electric karts take children from three. Bambino starts at five and 106cm, which is the lowest height threshold in this directory. Cadet is six and 128cm, Junior eight and 133cm, and the adult karts are sixteen and 152cm.

That sixteen is worth noting. The main circuit is genuinely adults only, so a fourteen-year-old who can drive an adult kart elsewhere cannot here. Everyone under sixteen races on the junior circuit instead.

Adult racing is built around Open Grand Prix events with no minimum group size, so an individual can turn up and race a full grid of up to 26 karts. Endurance events are priced per team rather than per driver, and the operator states there are no hidden extras: suits, gloves, balaclavas, timing sheets and trophies are all included.

Which circuit can they drive?

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

Main GP circuit Twin engine 160cc EVO kart Up to 26 karts on track. Used for Open Grand Prix and endurance racing.
16+152cm
Junior circuit Electric Formula K, ages 3 to 5, maximum two on track · Bambino, 5 and over at 106cm, maximum four on track · Cadet, 6 and over at 128cm, maximum five on track · Junior, 8 and over at 133cm A bespoke circuit for younger drivers, separate from the main track. The electric karts for under-fives have no stated height minimum.
3+no height limit given

Racing your own kart

Affiliated toNational Karting Association

The karts

  • Twin engine 160cc EVO kart, adult
  • Junior kart
  • Single engine Cadet kart
  • Single engine Bambino kart
  • Electric Formula K, ages 3 to 5
One thing we're checking: All karts are described as highly adjustable, so the operator accommodates a wide range of builds.

Sessions and prices

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

Electric karting, ages 3 to 5 — 15 minutes Electric Formula K karts on the junior circuit. Maximum two on track.
£15per driver
Bambino or Cadet, 30 minutes — 30 minutes Junior circuit. Bambino from 5 at 106cm, Cadet from 6 at 128cm.
£37per driver
Bambino or Cadet, 60 minutes — 60 minutes Junior circuit. Works out considerably cheaper per minute than the 30-minute session.
£57per driver
Grand Prix 30 — 30 minutes 10 minute qualifying then racing to the end of the half hour. No minimum group size. Trophy presentation subject to numbers.
£65per driver
Grand Prix 60 — 60 minutes 15 minute qualifying then racing to the end of the hour. £51 per head if sharing a kart.
£95per driver
Super 90 endurance Per team of two. 15 minute qualifying and 90 minutes of racing, with trophies for podium finishers.
£155per driver
Two hour endurance Per team of two to five drivers. 15 minute qualifying and 120 minutes of racing. Split five ways that is £41 each.
£205per driver
Real cost for two drivers: £30. No compulsory extras — what you see is what you pay.

Good for

Arrive & driveBirthday partiesStag & henTeam buildingGrand PrixTeam endurance

Opening hours

Every day
Junior sessions available seven days a week, subject to booking

Planning your visit

Up to 26 karts on track Junior circuit limits are two electric karts, four Bambinos or five Cadets on track at once. No minimum group size for Open Grand Prix racing.
In the rainOutdoor, running in most conditions apart from ice and snow. Race directors assess the weather through the day and contact drivers to reschedule if the track becomes unsafe. A change of clothes is recommended whatever the forecast.
Bringing your own helmetOwn full face helmets accepted if they meet recognised safety standards. Tinted visors are daylight only and must be clear under floodlights.

Accessibility

  • Spectators and guests are welcome free of charge.
  • Karts are highly adjustable, and the operator will arrange a fitting before booking for anyone unsure about size.
  • Drivers under 18 need a parent or guardian present throughout.

Questions people ask

How young can children drive at Rye House?

Three, in electric Formula K karts on the junior circuit, at £15 for fifteen minutes with a maximum of two karts on track. Bambino karts start at five and 106cm.

What are the height minimums?

Bambino from 106cm, Cadet from 128cm, Junior from 133cm and adult karts from 152cm. The operator notes that a child who has reached 128cm has usually outgrown a Bambino kart.

Can a fourteen-year-old drive the main circuit?

No. Adult karting is 16 and over. Under-sixteens race on the junior circuit, which is a genuine difference from tracks that put fourteen-year-olds into adult karts.

Is there a minimum group size?

Not for Open Grand Prix racing. An individual can book and race against a full grid of up to 26 karts.

How does endurance pricing work?

Per team, not per driver. Super 90 is £155 for two drivers over 90 minutes, and the two hour event is £205 for a team of two to five. Split five ways that comes to £41 each for two hours of racing.

What happens if it rains?

Sessions run in most conditions, stopping only for extremes like ice and snow. Race directors check conditions through the day and contact drivers to reschedule if the track becomes unsafe. Bring a change of clothes whatever the forecast.

What should I wear?

Casual, comfortable clothes suited to the weather, plus a change of clothes. Footwear must be solid with closed toes and heels, and no large heel on boots. Sandals, Crocs and sliders are not permitted.

Can I bring my own helmet?

Yes, if it is full face and meets recognised safety standards. Tinted visors are daylight only and must be clear under floodlights. Suits must be one piece and in good condition.

Are there height or weight limits for adults?

The karts are highly adjustable. Adult karts take drivers up to roughly 6ft 8in, though comfort drops near that. Build matters more than weight, and the operator will arrange a fitting before you book.

Do spectators pay?

No. Family, guests and spectators are welcome free of charge, and there is a hospitality suite.

Do I need a driving licence?

No, but adult drivers must be at least 16, and anyone under 18 needs a parent or guardian present to countersign the indemnity form.

Getting there

Hoddesdon, Hertfordshire, EN11 0EH
01992 460895

Where this came from

  • adult karting, eligibility, policies — https://www.rye-house.co.uk/pages/adult-karting (Operator's own site)
  • junior karting, pricing — https://www.rye-house.co.uk/pages/junior-karting-3-8yrs (Operator's own site)