11 circuits in Greater London run birthday parties events. The single thing that decides whether this works is age and height, and it catches people out constantly.
Stratford, Greater 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
Wandsworth, Greater 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
Canary Wharf, London, Greater 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.
Mile End, London, Greater 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
Worcester Park, Greater 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
Acton, Greater 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
Brent Cross, Greater 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
Greenwich, Greater 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
Edmonton, Greater 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
Mitcham, Greater 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
Croydon, Greater 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.
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.
The thing that catches groups out. Below the minimum you either pay for absent drivers or book an open session instead.
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.
Purpose-built junior karts fit smaller drivers properly. Some tracks also fit remote speed limiters so staff can build a nervous child up gradually.
Children mixed in with adults have a worse time. Ask whether junior sessions run separately.
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.