Loton Park Guide
Loton Park Hillclimb

Address: Shrewsbury SY5 9AH
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Photographing Loton Park Hillclimb


Set in part of a deer park 20 minutes west of Shrewsbury on the B4393, the Loton Park hillclimb has been in operation since the mid-1950s. At 1,475 yards long it is the third longest course used by the British Hillclimb Championship.


I first visited Loton Park in 1984 when it was a stage of the RAC Rally and I have found this photograph of Roger Clark and Ian Grindrod in the Prodrive Porsche 911 SC RS in my archives.

34 years, three grown up children and impending retirement had happened before I returned last year when Loton Park hosted the final – and deciding – round of the 2018 British Hillclimb Championship.

It’s fair to say that whilst Loton Park is less developed than Prescott or Shelsley Walsh (the subject of other PistonClick guides) it is no less demanding for competitors or attractive for spectator snappers.

This handy map is on a notice board at the top of the Paddock for the use of visitors. I have added various points which I will cover below.
On arrival, spectators are directed to park up the hill to the left of the Paddock (K). Food, drink and other facilities are all close to the Paddock (J) which is open and informal as is usually the case at hillclimb venues. 

Just be careful of cars returning to the paddock that have free-wheeled down the hill in virtual silence !
As a spectator there is limited access in only one area – from the Start (A) to Triangle (D) – which includes an unusual downhill section. 
However, you can stand around the start area and watch competitors briefly warm their tyres and then charge off the line up to Hall Corner (B).
The Start is a great spot for those close up shots of the drivers as they wait for their run. You will probably be using your short zoom or fixed lens here – I was using either a 24-120mm zoom or the short end of the 70-200mm zoom.
Still from the start, there’s a glimpse of the cars across the lake as they head from Fletchers Dellow / Loggerheads ( C ) to Triangle (D).

The main action for spectator snappers starts at Triangle – often the scene of locked wheels, smoking tyres and sometimes, misjudged braking distances and sometimes the end of the run … it was a mistake here that cost Will Hall his challenge for the 2018 Championship.
There’s a shot of the downhill run from Fletchers Dellow, mid corner or a longer shot from further along the course.

There is much less greenery around in April than September, so there was a “through the trees” angle available on our visit on Easter Sunday.
The run from Triangle to Keepers Corner ( E ) allows for a nice panning shot. It is possible to walk alongside the course all the way up to Fallow although it is narrow, undulating and, when it is raining, muddy.
At Keepers, spectators look down on the cars; there are marker posts to ensure corners are not cut excessively – there is a penalty for removing a post.
After the unnamed bend at (F), Cedar Straight heads all the way up the hill to Fallow Corner (G). On a wet day, there’s a good photo with spray coming off the back of the cars.
Fallow is a tight left hand bend and can be the scene of locked up wheels, bouncing over kerbs, running wide or, perhaps, all three !
The short run up to Museum (H) first kinks left uphill; and then right back on itself into the final straight.
The finish line (I) is over the brow so drivers need to keep their right foot planted until they are over the line. Cars then park up above Fallow before returning to the top of the Paddock via the gate at Triangle (D).
A couple of “helpful to knows” – on both occasions I have been there, there has been a church break – St Michael’s and All Angels Church is immediately over the road – and we had a brief stop last September as pheasants crossed the track at Keepers …
For photography away from the Paddock, a lens with a range of 70-200mm is absolutely fine. There’s no need for that big zoom lens here.

It is worth noting that there is very little shelter if it is a wet day (as it was in 2018) – make sure you have packed that brolly !

Loton Park again hosts the final round of the British Championship in September, but there are nine other events there before then.

Useful resources –


Thanks to David and Madeline Harbey Photography for this photographic guide to Loton Park hillclimb. Check out Davids Web page, Twitter and Flicker accounts to see more of of his work.
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