Goodwood: Where Britain Celebrates the Motor Car
The Goodwood Estate in West Sussex, seat of the Dukes of Richmond, hosts the two most glamorous motoring events on earth. The Festival of Speed each July turns the grounds of Goodwood House into the world’s greatest garden party for car lovers, while the Goodwood Revival in September rewinds the clock entirely, racing historic machinery at a perfectly preserved 1950s circuit with the whole crowd in period dress. Add Glorious Goodwood’s horse racing in between and it is fair to call this corner of Sussex the summer capital of British sporting style.
Both motoring events draw huge international crowds, and for American visitors they combine beautifully with the South of England: Chichester’s Georgian streets, the South Downs, Brighton and even country-house opera are all on the doorstep.
The Festival of Speed (July)
The Festival of Speed, held over four days in early-to-mid July (9 to 12 July in 2026), is built around the famous hillclimb: 1.16 miles of the Duke’s driveway, taken flat out by everything from pre-war Grand Prix cars to current Formula 1 machinery, hypercars and record-breakers. What makes it unique is access. There are no distant grandstands and garages here; cars sit in open paddocks, drivers and champions wander the lawns, and the sculpture towering over Goodwood House changes with each year’s celebrated marque.
Highlights to plan around:
- The hillclimb runs all day, with timed shootout runs deciding the weekend’s fastest on Sunday.
- The Forest Rally Stage in the woods above the house, where rally cars slide between the trees.
- Future Lab and manufacturer stands, where brands debut new models to the public.
- The paddocks, arguably the world’s best temporary motor museum, and entirely open to wander.
The Goodwood Revival (September)
The Revival, over three days each September, is the world’s most atmospheric historic race meeting and the only sporting event of its scale staged entirely in period costume. The Goodwood Motor Circuit, which held Grand Prix-era racing between 1948 and 1966, was reopened in 1998 exactly as it was, and the Revival races pre-1966 cars and motorcycles, hard, with famous drivers sharing grids with gentleman racers. Off track, the whole site becomes a living film set: vintage dress on every visitor, period shops and funfair, Spitfires overhead. Many people come with no interest in racing at all and leave calling it the best day out in Britain.
Tickets, Travel and Where to Stay
- Book early, and only through official channels. Both events sell out in advance every year, and no tickets are sold on the gate. Revival Saturdays and Festival Sundays go first; young children generally enter free with a ticketed adult.
- Getting there: Goodwood sits just north of Chichester, West Sussex, around 90 minutes from London by car; trains from London Victoria reach Chichester in a similar time, with event shuttle buses covering the last few miles. Traffic builds early on event days, so an unhurried start pays.
- Where to stay: Chichester is the natural base, with the harbour villages of Bosham and Itchenor, Arundel and Midhurst all within easy reach; rooms across the district sell out around event weekends, so accommodation should be secured the moment dates are confirmed.
- Make it a week: pair Goodwood with the South Downs, Brighton’s Regency seafront, or a black-tie evening at our Glyndebourne Festival opera package, forty minutes east, for the full English summer season. For 2027 planning, we arrange tickets, hotels and touring in one itinerary; the earlier the better.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Goodwood Festival of Speed?
An annual four-day celebration of motorsport held each July at Goodwood House in West Sussex, centred on a 1.16-mile hillclimb run by historic racing cars, modern Formula 1 machinery and hypercars, with open paddocks that let visitors get close to the cars and drivers.
What is the difference between the Festival of Speed and the Goodwood Revival?
The Festival of Speed (July) covers all eras of motoring, including brand-new cars, on the hillclimb at Goodwood House. The Revival (September) is a historic race meeting at the Goodwood Motor Circuit for pre-1966 cars, with the entire event, visitors included, dressed in period style.
Do you need to dress up for the Goodwood Revival?
Period dress (broadly 1940s to 1960s) is not compulsory, but the overwhelming majority of visitors take part, and it is half the joy of the event. Vintage outfitters and hire services do a busy trade around each Revival.
How do I get tickets for Goodwood?
Through the official Goodwood website, ideally the moment sales open. Both events sell out in advance and no tickets are available on the day. Hospitality and grandstand options also book early.
Where should I stay for Goodwood?
Chichester is the most convenient base, with Arundel, Midhurst and the Sussex coast villages close behind. Accommodation around event weekends books out months ahead, which is why we bundle rooms and tickets together in our itineraries.