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Each July, the parkland surrounding Goodwood House becomes one of the world’s great gathering places for automotive culture. Formula One champions, manufacturers, collectors and enthusiasts descend on the Sussex estate for four days celebrating engineering, performance and innovation in an atmosphere unlike any other event on the motoring calendar.
Returning from 9 to 12 July 2026, this year’s Festival of Speed is centred on ‘The Rivals: Epic Racing Duels’, celebrating some of motorsport’s greatest head-to-head battles across Formula One, endurance racing, rallying and motorcycle competition. Alongside the famous Hillclimb, the programme will feature world premieres, celebrated drivers, rare competition cars and exceptional hospitality, reinforcing Goodwood’s place among Britain’s defining summer events.
Whether you’re visiting for the first time or returning for another edition, planning will help you make the most of the weekend.
Four Days That Transform An English Estate
The Festival of Speed takes place within the grounds of Goodwood House, the West Sussex estate of the Duke of Richmond. Founded in 1993 by Charles Gordon-Lennox, now the 11th Duke of Richmond, it was created to bring competitive motorsport back to Goodwood after modern racing ended at the nearby Goodwood Motor Circuit.
More than three decades later, the Festival of Speed has become one of the automotive world’s most influential events, bringing together manufacturer debuts, historic racing cars, Formula One machinery, electric hypercars and motorcycles from every era.
At its heart is the 1.16-mile Hillclimb, where everything from pre-war racers to today’s fastest road cars tackles the narrow course through the estate. Around it, manufacturer displays, open paddocks, innovation showcases and hospitality spaces encourage exploration at your own pace, whether you’re a lifelong enthusiast or discovering Goodwood for the first time.
Unlike a conventional race weekend, Goodwood offers remarkably close access to both the machinery and the people behind it. Engineers, designers, racing legends and current drivers all form part of the experience, giving the festival an atmosphere that feels both relaxed and unusually personal.
The Experiences That Define The Festival
The Hillclimb
The 1.16-mile Hillclimb remains the heart of the Festival of Speed, bringing together everything from historic Grand Prix cars and Le Mans prototypes to modern hypercars and motorcycles. Molecomb Corner is one of the most popular viewing points, while the upper sections of the course offer sweeping views across the estate and the South Downs.
Formula One, Motorsport Legends and Racing Heritage
Formula One remains one of the festival’s biggest draws, with championship-winning cars often returning alongside the drivers who made them famous. The 2026 theme, ‘The Rivals: Epic Racing Duels’, shapes many of this year’s displays, revisiting some of the sport’s defining contests through iconic machinery and the personalities behind it.
Beyond Formula One, the paddocks feature legendary cars from Le Mans, touring cars, rallying and motorcycle racing, while offering unusually close access to the engineers and mechanics preparing them for the Hillclimb.
Supercars, Hypercars and Manufacturer Debuts
The Supercar Paddock brings together limited-production models from Ferrari, Lamborghini, McLaren, Pagani, Koenigsegg, Rimac and Bugatti, many of which later tackle the Hillclimb.
Manufacturer displays from Ferrari, Porsche, Aston Martin, Bentley, McLaren, Rolls-Royce Motor Cars, Mercedes-AMG, BMW, Lotus and Hyundai N showcase new models alongside future design concepts, while Future Lab explores advances in robotics, aerospace and next-generation mobility. Additional world premieres and manufacturer announcements are expected in the lead-up to the 2026 festival.
Forest Rally Stage
The Forest Rally Stage swaps tarmac for gravel, with historic World Rally Championship machinery and modern rally cars weaving through the woodland in one of the festival’s most atmospheric demonstrations.
Lifestyle Exhibitions, Shopping and Brand Activations
The annual Central Feature sculpture remains one of Goodwood’s defining landmarks, while the surrounding exhibition spaces bring together luxury watchmakers, automotive artists, coachbuilders, specialist publishers and premium driving brands. Interviews, presentations and curated retail displays provide plenty to explore between Hillclimb runs.
Experiencing Goodwood in Style
The Festival of Speed is easy to enjoy with a general admission ticket, but the hospitality experiences elevate the occasion considerably. The official collection includes the Clark Pavilion, Moss Pavilion, Salvadori Pavilions and Surtees Pavilion, each pairing excellent views of the Hillclimb with private lounges, premium dining and dedicated service. For larger groups, private entertaining spaces offer an even more exclusive setting.
A little planning also goes a long way. Arriving early leaves time to explore the paddocks before they become busier later in the morning, while Thursday and Friday typically offer a more relaxed atmosphere than the weekend.
Comfortable footwear is advisable given the size of the estate, while lightweight tailoring and smart summer attire feel entirely appropriate for the setting. Visitors arriving by helicopter can make use of Goodwood’s dedicated landing facilities, and premium parking provides quicker access to the main event areas.
Staying Beyond the Festival Gates
Extending your stay allows time to experience more than the festival itself. The Goodwood Hotel remains the most convenient base, with direct access to the estate, a spa, health club and two golf courses.
Nearby, South Lodge combines contemporary luxury with an acclaimed spa and dining at The Pass, while Amberley Castle offers an altogether different stay within a medieval castle overlooking the South Downs. For a more relaxed countryside retreat, The Pig in the South Downs pairs individually designed rooms with its kitchen garden-led restaurant.
Evenings are best spent at a gentler pace. Dinner at Farmer, Butcher, Chef on the Goodwood Estate is a natural choice after a day at the festival, while Chichester’s historic centre offers a growing collection of independent restaurants, wine bars and cafés before another morning at Goodwood.
A Weekend Framed By Sussex
Although the Festival of Speed is the main attraction, West Sussex rewards a little extra time. The Goodwood Motor Circuit hosts driving experiences throughout the year, while the nearby Goodwood Aerodrome offers flying lessons and vintage aircraft experiences.
Beyond the estate, Arundel combines an impressive castle with independent antiques shops and riverside walks, while West Wittering Beach provides one of southern England’s finest stretches of coastline. Wine enthusiasts can also visit Tinwood Estate or Nyetimber, both within easy reach for tastings that complement a summer weekend in the South Downs.
Goodwood At Its Finest
The Festival of Speed continues to evolve while remaining unmistakably Goodwood. Historic racing cars, celebrated drivers, future technologies and world premieres share the same estate, creating an event that values craftsmanship and innovation as much as outright performance.
For many visitors, the Hillclimb may be the headline attraction, but the combination of remarkable access, thoughtful hospitality and the atmosphere of the estate is what leaves the strongest impression.
Whether you’re drawn by Formula One, collector cars or the opportunity to experience one of Britain’s most distinctive summer events, the Festival of Speed continues to justify its place on the international luxury calendar.
