Brighton Karting
BEST FOR
Ages 8-15
WHERE
Hassocks
What it’s like
Kids from 8 get behind the wheel of proper race karts on an 800m outdoor track, with family sessions that mix ages and karts.
This is proper karting, not the bumper-car version. From 8 years old (132cm and up), kids drive 120cc cadet karts, and there's a clear ladder up through 200cc and regulated 270cc karts as they get taller and older. The 800m outdoor track is the main event, and the kids and family sessions let mixed-ability groups share the circuit, with 120cc and 270cc karts running together under close supervision so nobody's outmatched.
Worth knowing before you get excited: racing proper (as opposed to open practice) needs drivers to be 14, so younger kids are on practice and family sessions rather than competitive races. That's not a bad thing, it just means you should book the right session for your child's age rather than assuming they'll be lining up on a grid. No licence needed and all the safety kit's provided, so it's really just turning up in the right footwear and following the briefing.
Booking ahead is the only way in, there's no walking up on the day, and you can't arrive late either, since every session starts with a safety briefing and practice laps that you'd miss. The track runs outdoors in pretty much all weather, so don't expect a rained-off day, though they may reschedule if things get genuinely extreme. There are no evening sessions for kids, even though the track's floodlit for adult racing after dark.
Parking's free and there's a restaurant and licensed bar on site, plus a separate coffee house, though its hours don't always line up with the karting schedule. Trophies aren't automatically part of a booking but you can add them on if your child wants something to wave about on the way home.
Facilities
Need to know
- Best for
- 8 to 15, with the step up to bigger karts as they grow
- Parking
- Free parking on site
- Food
- Restaurant and licensed bar on site
- No driving licence needed, all safety kit's provided and there's a full briefing first
- Sessions run Tuesday to Sunday, closed Mondays, and Sunday hours are shorter (10am to 2pm)
- No evening sessions for kids, even though the track's floodlit for adult night racing
- Trophies cost extra if you want to add them to a booking
Plan your visit
How old does my child need to be to drive?
The minimum is 8 years old and 132cm for the 120cc cadet karts. Taller, older kids can move up to 200cc karts at 13 and the regulated 270cc karts at 15.
Can my child race competitively?
Competitive racing needs drivers to be 14 or over. Under-14s take part in open practice and the kids and family sessions instead.
Do we need to book in advance?
Yes, and it's the only way in, walk-ups aren't accepted. Turning up without a booking risks the track being full anyway.
Can adults and kids drive together?
There are kids and family sessions where 120cc and 270cc karts share the track at the same time. These are closely monitored so the less experienced drivers aren't overwhelmed.
What if we're running late?
Get there for the briefing, because arriving after it means you can't race and there's no refund for late arrivals. Every session starts with a safety talk and practice laps.
What's the food and parking situation?
Parking's free on site. There's a restaurant and licensed bar plus a separate coffee house, though the coffee house hours don't always match up with karting sessions.
Does it run in bad weather?
The track's outdoors and operates in almost all conditions, so a bit of rain won't stop play. They'll only reschedule in genuinely freak weather.
MAKE A DAY OF IT
