Go Karting in West Midlands

The six tracks here split neatly by roof. Three are indoors: TeamSport Go Karting Stoke in Burslem, Capital Karts Star City in Nechells and Fast Lane Karting in Fenton. Three are outdoors: Midland Karting Ltd in Lichfield, Daytona in Tamworth and Rednal Karting in Oswestry. Rain matters less than you might think for the outdoor trio, since Rednal provides waterproof suits, and Daytona reviewers say wet sessions add sliding and drama rather than spoiling the day.

Age is the other divider. Midland Karting is the pick for the youngest, with reviewers pointing to Bambino sessions for four to six year olds and a race school for eight and up; Karting Nation lists it from age eight, on a 450m circuit built on a former airfield, with 160cc junior karts. Daytona takes drivers from six and asks for a balaclava under the helmet. Rednal starts at ten and is praised for coaching nervous first-timers, though reviewers warn mixed sessions can get crowded.

Among the indoor options, Capital Karts runs electric karts with a 125cm minimum height, free parking at Star City and family sessions on weekends and in school holidays. TeamSport suits competitive teens, but reviewers say the whole venue runs cold in winter and that gloves and head covers are charged separately at the desk. Fast Lane is the celebrations choice, with party packages that fill at weekends, parking that fills on busy evenings, and a viewing area reached only by stairs.