Like many UK circuits, Castle Combe circuit began life as an RAF airfield. Whilst never having concrete runways, the perimeter roads, which now form the track, were laid out in 1943.

RAF Castle Combe became operational in 1941, but closed seven years later in 1948, at which point the land was returned to owners, the Gorst family.

Together with the Bristol Motorcycle and Light Car Club, the first race meeting was organised in 1950, and the layout remained unchanged for over four decades, although little racing happened in the 1950s until 1962, when essential earth spectator banks were constructed.

After a lap record average speed of 130.93 mph was recorded by Nigel Greensall in 1997, an accident involving the death of a spectator during a TVR Tuscan race the following year saw chicanes added in order to reduce laps speeds.

Over the winter of 1998 – 1999 these chicanes were added, taking the total lap length to 1.85 miles.

Further challenges came in 2005 when the circuit received a noise nuisance order, limiting its calendar and preventing British Formula Three and British GT from returning, after they had both visited the circuit annually from 2001 to 2005.

Today, the circuit features predominantly club racing. TCR UK visited in its inaugural season in 2018, and made subsequent visits in 2021 and 2022.