Goodwood Festival of Speed: a car spotter's guide

The Goodwood Festival of Speed is the UK's biggest car event, and one of the best days out in the world for a car spotter. Over four days in July, hundreds of cars, from pre-war racers to hypercars that haven't gone on sale yet, are driven up a hill in front of Goodwood House in West Sussex. Here's how to make the most of it.

What is the Festival of Speed?

The Duke of Richmond, then Lord March, started the festival in 1993 to bring motor racing back to the Goodwood estate. Its centrepiece is a 1.16-mile hill climb through the grounds, past the house, round the tricky Molecomb corner and alongside the famous flint wall to the finish near the top of the hill. The record is 39.08 seconds, set in 2022 by the McMurtry Spéirling, a tiny electric fan car that sucks itself to the road. On Sunday, the fastest drivers of the weekend go head to head in the Timed Shoot-Out final.

In 2027, the Festival of Speed runs from 15 to 18 July. Tickets are sold in advance only, with none on the gate, and the most popular days can sell out, so book early.

Where to go

• The hill. Grandstands and spectator areas line the course. The area around the house is the busiest, and there's usually more space further up the hill.
• The paddocks. Unlike most race meetings, you can walk through the paddocks and see the cars up close between runs. The Cathedral Paddock is home to some of the most valuable race cars at the event.
• The Supercar Paddock. The newest supercars and hypercars gather here before taking their turn up the hill, so it's the best place to spot cars you won't see anywhere else.
• The Forest Rally Stage. At the top of the hill, rally cars tackle a gravel stage through the woods. It's a walk, but worth it.
• Future Lab. A look at the technology of tomorrow, from electric and self-driving vehicles to robotics and space.
• The central sculpture. Each year a giant sculpture in front of Goodwood House celebrates a car maker or a moment in motorsport history. It's one of the most photographed sights of the weekend.

What you might see

The line-up changes every year, but you can expect everything from Edwardian racers to Formula 1 cars, rally legends and the latest hypercars. Car makers often use the festival to show new models in public for the first time, so the Supercar Paddock is where you're most likely to spot something brand new.

Tips for the day

• Arrive early. The first hours of the day are the quietest time to walk the paddocks.
• Check the timetable. Runs up the hill are grouped into batches through the day, so find out when the cars you want to see are running.
• Wear comfortable shoes. The site is big and hilly, and you'll walk miles.
• Be ready for any weather. Bring sun cream and a waterproof: an English July can deliver both in one day.
• Charge up. Bring a power bank, because you'll take hundreds of photos.
• Bring ear defenders for children. Race cars are loud, especially near the start line.
• Check the car parks. Visitors' cars and club displays are full of interesting cars too.

More events to plan

Goodwood also hosts the Members' Meeting in spring and the Goodwood Revival in September, a historic race meeting where visitors are encouraged to dress in period clothes. For the rest of the year, see our UK car events calendar, and if you can't wait until July, try our guide to spotting supercars in London. New to spotting? Start with our car spotting guide for beginners.