K1 Speed Canary Wharf

What it’s like

Indoor electric go-karting for kids seven and up, with junior karts hitting 20mph and races timed to the minute.

This is proper racing, not the slow amble round a track you might picture. Junior karts get up to 20mph, adult karts up to 45mph, and there's a bank of full-motion simulators if you want a go without the balaclava. Each race is 15 minutes, and you can't book them back to back, so a race, a wander, then another race is the rhythm rather than a marathon session.

Seven is the minimum age, and there's a strict dress code worth knowing before you leave the house: closed-toe shoes, no dresses or skirts, no loose clothing, hair tied back. You'll also need a balaclava and gloves, which is £6 for the pack if you turn up without your own. One race is £29, which stings a bit for a quarter of an hour, but the multi-race deals bring the per-race cost down, and Mega Monday at £35 for two races is the one to look out for if your dates are flexible.

They want you there 45 minutes before your race time, which catches people out, so factor that into the school-run logistics rather than turning up five minutes early expecting to jump straight in. Under-18s need a parent or guardian on site throughout. Food-wise you can't bring your own beyond a birthday cake, but the Paddock Lounge does food and drink including beer and wine if the grown-ups fancy a proper sit-down while the kids queue for their next go.

Birthday parties run from £65 a child for the Junior Mini Grand Prix, with a minimum of ten racers, so it's one for bigger groups rather than a small gathering. It's a five minute walk from Canary Wharf's Jubilee line and Crossrail stations, and there's ample parking across the estate if you're driving in.

Facilities

Need to know

Best for

7 and up; junior karts and sims give younger racers a real go

Booking

Reservation advised due to limited spaces

Parking

Ample parking across Canary Wharf estate, well signposted from A13

Food

Paddock Lounge serves food and drinks, including beer, wine, and mixed cocktails

Getting there by bus or train

1 min walk from Canary Wharf DLR, 5 min walk from Canary Wharf Jubilee line (6 min from London Bridge)

Parties

Kids birthday parties from £65 per child (Junior Mini Grand Prix, min 10 racers)

• Junior races have to be done by 5pm daily, so plan an afternoon slot rather than an evening one for younger racers
• There's a minimum 30 minute gap between races, so budget more time than the race length suggests
• Height and weight limits apply, so tall or heavy drivers might find the kart a squeeze
• Group events for kids need a minimum of 16 racers if you want exclusive use of the circuit

Plan your visit

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