I detest Silverstone, mind you I've not been for about ten years, is it still as souless?
Yep. Not only soulless but soul destroying if the weather is poor, which for some reason it invariably is in that part of Northants. But the atmosphere is always improved by the people you are with or meet.
Last year's round of the LMES was pretty good, despite the small(ish) crowd.
Go with some like minded mates and meet some other CA'ers is my recommendation.