TeamSport Watford sits on the Greatham Road Industrial Estate in Bushey, Hertfordshire, about five minutes by car from Watford town centre and just outside the M25. Despite the North London branding it is a Hertfordshire venue, which makes it a straightforward trip for anyone in Watford, Bushey, Borehamwood or the north-western edge of London, and a longer one from the centre. It is a single-activity karting site, with a separately operated cricket venue sharing the building.

The circuit runs 500 metres across two levels and packs in seventeen corners, along with a ramp linking the levels that is the layout’s signature feature. Karts reach up to 45mph. The corner count is worth noting against TeamSport’s other 500-metre London track at Acton, which has four — the same distance here is far busier and more technical, with less time on full throttle and more direction changes to work through.

Adult and junior karts run separately, both with belt drive and adjustable flip-over pedals so the driving position can be set for different heights. Junior karts are limited to 25mph and adult karts reach up to 45mph. The venue’s published specification for its adult karts is inconsistent with the description used elsewhere on the same pages, so anyone with a specific interest in the kart type — or a reason to care about engine noise or fumes — is better asking the venue directly before booking.

Karting starts at age 8, with a minimum inside leg measurement of 25 inches, taken from crotch to heel with shoes on. There is no maximum height for the junior karts, but drivers must be under 5ft 4in to be held safely in them. Adult karts require a minimum age of 13 and an inside leg of at least 29 inches. Anyone booking for a child near one of those measurements should check before travelling rather than at reception.

The Ultimate Race Experience is open from age 8 and runs two sessions on the main track, starting from the pit lane with the fastest lap taking the win. The Grand Prix is a full motorsport format for ages 16 and over with a minimum of six drivers, running qualifying followed by a grid start and a podium presentation. Kart and Bat combines two karting sessions with a Sixes cricket experience across a two to three hour visit. Corporate days, stag and hen groups, birthday parties and large group bookings are all handled by the events team, and podium presentations can be upgraded with medals, trophies or branded caps.

A Sixes Social Cricket venue shares the building, offering interactive nets where players face virtual bowlers and compete for a score, open from age 5. It is run by a separate company rather than by TeamSport, so booking it on its own goes through Sixes directly. TeamSport does sell a combined Kart and Bat package that covers both, which is the simplest route for a group wanting to do the two together.

Drivers should arrive 40 minutes before their drive time. Race suits, gloves and helmets are provided along with a safety briefing. A balaclava is required and can be bought at the venue for £3.99 if you do not have your own. Shoes must cover the whole foot, so heels, sandals and open-toed footwear are not permitted. Long hair needs tying up and tucking into the race suit, and scarves, sashes and jewellery must be removed. Sessions can sometimes be extended on the day for a small charge. Booking ahead is recommended, particularly at weekends when the venue reaches capacity quickly.

There is on-site parking, including designated accessible bays. By train, Watford High Street has direct services from Euston and is around a twenty-five minute walk from the venue. By car, the venue is reached from junction 5 of the M1 via the A41 and A4008, then through Stephenson Way, Radley Road, Link Road and Park Avenue onto Greatham Road; the venue publishes directions only for drivers approaching northbound from London, so anyone coming from the north or west should check a route in advance. Spectating is free and requires no booking, with a ground-floor spectator area giving a clear view of the track. Children under 16 must be accompanied by an adult aged 18 or over.