Goodwood House
WHERE
Chichester
What it’s like
A grassland motorsport festival at a stately home, with free parking and hillclimb action from the crack of dawn.
This isn't a quiet wander round a stately home. The Festival of Speed turns the grounds into a proper motorsport spectacle, with hillclimb action starting at 08:30 and the gates open from 07:00. It's loud, it's outdoors on grass, and if you've got a toddler who hates sudden noise, grab the complimentary foam ear plugs at the entrance before you find out the hard way.
Kids under 12 get in free but still need a wristband, and it's worth sorting that in advance rather than queuing for it on the day. There's a dedicated autograph area by the Drivers' Club and children get priority on the front rows of the standing steps, which is the sort of small thing that makes a four-hour day feel worth it when you're stood behind six-foot adults otherwise.
You can bring your own picnic, and there's a bit of alcohol allowance too, one bottle of wine or four beers between two adults, though not in the enclosures or paddocks. Catering stands are dotted around for burgers and street food if you don't fancy carrying a hamper, and there are gluten-free and veggie options going. If you fancy staying over, family camping at the Lennox enclosure has electric hook-up, showers and a play area, though pitches sell out well ahead so you'll want to book early rather than hope for the best.
Parking's free and the car parks open at 06:30, which tells you something about how early the keen ones turn up. It's all grassland though, so wellies over trainers if the forecast looks iffy, and there's no EV charging if that's how you get about.
Facilities
Need to know
- Best for
- Families with under 12s, who go in free but still need a wristband
- Parking
- Free parking, car parks open 06:30hrs, all on grassland
- Food
- Catering stands throughout site with sandwiches, burgers, pasties, street food
- Picnics
- Welcome throughout event with moderate alcohol allowed (up to one 750ml wine/champagne or four beers per two guests)
- Wheelchairs
- Electric and manual wheelchairs available to book in advance from Shopmobility at Gate 1 (0300 500 8085)
- Dogs
- Only pre-registered guide/assistance dogs allowed, at owner's risk
- Wheelchairs can be booked ahead through Shopmobility, and there are 47 reserved spaces in the Pheasantry Grandstand
- Only pre-registered guide or assistance dogs are allowed, no other pets
- The site is card only, so leave the cash at home
- There's no EV charging on site if that's how you're getting there
Plan your visit
What time does it open and finish?
Car parks open at 06:30, gates at 07:00, and the hillclimb starts at 08:30. Bars close at 18:30 and the event wraps up at 19:00.
Do children need a ticket?
Under 12s get a free child admission ticket but still need a wristband, either ordered ahead or sorted at entry. Anyone under 18 has to be with an adult who holds a valid ticket.
Do we need to book?
Booking is essential, especially for camping pitches, which sell out in advance.
Is there parking, and is it free?
Yes, parking is free and opens at 06:30, though it's all on grassland with no overnight camping in the car parks themselves. Blue Badge holders get a spot near the front.
Can we bring food?
Picnics are welcome, and you can bring a moderate amount of alcohol, one bottle of wine or four beers shared between two guests. There are also catering stands with sandwiches, burgers and street food, plus gluten-free and vegetarian options.
Is it noisy?
Very. Motorsport events here are loud, so free foam ear plugs are handed out at entrances and ear defenders for children are also sold on site.
Can we camp overnight?
Family camping is available at the Lennox enclosure with electric hook-up, showers and a play area, but pitches sell out well in advance so book early.
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