The Goodwood Festival of Speed, held each July on the Goodwood Estate in West Sussex, England, is one of the world’s biggest motoring events. Founded in 1993 by the Earl of March — now the Duke of Richmond — it sends historic racing cars, supercars, motorcycles and Formula 1 cars up a narrow hillclimb of just over a mile past the house, while manufacturers unveil new models to crowds of enthusiasts. Its sister event, the Goodwood Revival, recreates the 1950s and 1960s with period costumes and historic racing.

At a glance
Founded 1993
Location Goodwood House, West Sussex, England
Timing July
Highlight The hillclimb, just over a mile long
Sister events Goodwood Revival, Members’ Meeting

The hillclimb

Cars run one at a time up a course lined with hay bales, stone walls and trees. Everyone from legendary drivers to current racers takes part, and the fastest runs take well under a minute.

Why manufacturers love it

Carmakers use Goodwood for dynamic debuts — new cars climbing the hill in front of crowds and cameras. It’s also neighbor to Rolls-Royce’s factory. Read how BMW rebuilt Rolls-Royce at Goodwood.

Goodwood Revival

At the Revival, held at the Goodwood Motor Circuit, visitors dress in period clothes and watch historic racing — a nostalgic celebration of British motorsport.

Goodwood has deep motoring roots: the estate hosted motor racing from 1948 at a circuit built on a wartime airfield, where many of Britain’s greatest drivers competed until 1966. The Festival revived that heritage in a new form. Today Goodwood is also home to Rolls-Royce Motor Cars, whose headquarters and factory sit on the estate — a fitting neighbor for a festival of the world’s finest cars.

Visiting from the U.S.

Many American enthusiasts plan a trip around the Festival, combining it with London and the Goodwood Revival later in the year. Tickets sell out, and there are no tickets on the gate for some days, so book well in advance. For events closer to home, read the Greenwich Concours and Lime Rock Park.