Most automotive events are held on purpose-built circuits or in convention centres. The Goodwood Festival of Speed is held in someone's garden. That someone is the Duke of Richmond, whose family has owned the Goodwood estate in West Sussex for over three hundred years, and the garden in question includes a 1.16-kilometre private road that has, since 1993, served as the hillclimb course for one of the most extraordinary gatherings in the world of sport and culture.
Every July, 200,000 people come to Chichester for four days to watch Formula 1 cars, Le Mans winners, pre-war Grand Prix machines, contemporary road supercars, and never-before-seen manufacturer concepts ascend the same narrow road within metres of spectators standing on an aristocrat's lawn. There is nothing else like it. Register your interest below.
The Estate: Goodwood House
Goodwood House is a Grade I listed Jacobean country house near Chichester, West Sussex — the private residence of the Duke of Richmond and Gordon. The estate encompasses the racecourse (Goodwood is one of Britain's finest flat racing venues), the motor circuit, the aerodrome, and the golf course, in addition to Goodwood House itself. The Festival of Speed hillclimb runs from the forecourt of the house through the formal grounds and into the parkland beyond — making the setting unlike anything in motorsport.
The first Festival of Speed was held in 1993 as a small private gathering of Lord March's friends and their historic racing cars. Within a few years it had become the world's preeminent automotive event — not because of its size, but because of its intimacy. An F1 car running at racing speed 20 feet from where you're standing, on a road through someone's garden, is an experience that no circuit, no matter how well-designed, can replicate.
The Hillclimb
The Goodwood hillclimb is the central spectacle of the Festival, and it is unlike any other competitive hillclimb in existence. The 1.16km course runs from immediately in front of Goodwood House, through the tree-lined park, and up to the finish banner at the crest of the hill. The track is narrow — barely wide enough for two cars to pass — and entirely flanked by spectators, straw bales, and the occasional mature oak.
Every car that attends the Festival runs the hillclimb. That means the same road carries a 1930 Bentley Blower, a 2024 Formula 1 car, a Group B rally car, a current-generation Porsche 911 GT3, and a concept vehicle being publicly unveiled for the first time — often on the same afternoon. The programme is arranged by category, with dedicated run groups for each era and type. The Speed Sprint competition on Sunday produces the fastest times of the weekend.
The 2026 Programme
| Date | Highlights |
|---|---|
| Thu, Jul 9 | Preview Day — Exclusive access, manufacturers unveil |
| Fri, Jul 10 | Opening Day — Hillclimb runs, live demos begin |
| Sat, Jul 11 | Full programme — Forest Rally Stage, manufacturer showcases |
| Sun, Jul 12 | Final Day — Speed Sprint competition, closing runs |
Preview Day
Thursday's Preview Day is, for those who know Goodwood, the day to be there. Attendance is a fraction of the weekend crowd; access to the cars, the teams, and the manufacturers is maximal. New models are unveiled. Drivers are accessible. The atmosphere is that of a private gathering at a country house, which is precisely what it is. LXV recommends Thursday as the core day for members who want depth of access over breadth of spectacle.
The Timing: British Grand Prix + Goodwood
The Goodwood Festival of Speed falls the week after the British Grand Prix at Silverstone — the F1 race weekend is typically the first weekend in July. The natural combination of Silverstone Saturday or Sunday and Goodwood the following Thursday-to-Sunday is a five-day UK motorsport trip that covers both ends of the spectrum: the scale and theatre of a modern F1 Grand Prix, followed by the intimacy and heritage of the hillclimb.
LXV can coordinate both events as a single itinerary, with accommodation in Northamptonshire for Silverstone and Sussex for Goodwood.
The Goodwood Festival of Speed is held on a private estate that has been in the Duke of Richmond's family for 300 years — making the setting as special as the cars. There is nothing quite like watching a 1,000hp Formula 1 car pass 20 feet from where you're standing on a private hillclimb.
Manufacturer Presence
Every major automotive manufacturer with any connection to performance or heritage uses the Festival of Speed as a platform. Ferrari, McLaren, Porsche, Bugatti, Aston Martin, and Lamborghini all maintain significant presences — unveiling new models, running historic race cars, and making their people available for conversations that simply don't happen at motor shows or circuit races. For members with serious automotive interests, the paddock access that LXV can arrange at Goodwood represents genuine value beyond the spectacle.
West Sussex and Beyond
The Goodwood estate sits in the South Downs, with the cathedral city of Chichester minutes away and the Sussex coast a short drive south. The adjacent West Sussex Golf Club and Goodwood Golf Club are both within the estate or immediately adjacent — rounds can be arranged for days either side of the Festival. The Sussex countryside offers exceptional country house hotels in the range of Amberley Castle, Ockenden Manor, and Gravetye Manor.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Goodwood Festival of Speed?
The world's largest and most celebrated automotive garden party, held on the private estate of the Duke of Richmond in West Sussex. Historic racing cars, F1 machines, supercars, and concept vehicles all compete on a 1.16km private hillclimb through the grounds of Goodwood House.
When is the 2026 Festival of Speed?
July 9–12, 2026. The event follows the British Grand Prix at Silverstone the prior weekend, making a combined UK motorsport trip natural.
What access is available beyond ground tickets?
Grandstand tickets, hospitality chalets, and paddock access are available at different tiers. Preview Day (Thursday) offers an exclusive low-crowd experience with manufacturer reveals and the most access to the cars and teams. LXV can arrange preferred hospitality packages.
Is this event accessible from London?
Yes — Goodwood is 1.5 hours from London by car, or easily combined with a stay at a nearby country house hotel in Sussex. LXV can arrange transport and accommodation close to the estate.
