The Goodwood Festival of Speed returns from Thursday 15 to Sunday 18 July 2027, as announced on the official Festival of Speed site. From Gerrards Cross it is a trip of 75 to 80 miles to the Goodwood Estate near Chichester, which makes it a full day rather than an afternoon out. The hillclimb starts early, the lanes around the estate fill quickly, and the event has its own rules for cars, taxis and trains. Here is how they fit together for anyone setting off from South Bucks.
- Public car parks open at 6.30am, gates at 7am, and the hillclimb runs from 8.30am until the event ends at 7pm.
- Taxis and private hire cars use Gate 1, Goodwood's designated drop-off and pick-up area.
- Off-peak, the drive from Gerrards Cross takes around 1 hour 45 minutes to 2 hours, before Festival traffic on the final approach.
What does a Festival of Speed day look like?
Goodwood publishes the same timetable for every day of the Festival. Public car parks open at 6.30am and are free. The gates open at 7am, which gives early arrivals time to walk the paddocks before anything runs. Action on the hillclimb begins at 8.30am, the bars close at 6.30pm and the event ends at 7pm.
That early start is the reason the journey needs thought. To be on site for the first runs, a car from the Chilterns needs to leave around 6am. Some visitors choose a later arrival and stay into the evening instead, which spreads the load but still means a two-hour trip home after a long day on your feet.
How do you get from Gerrards Cross to Goodwood?
By road, the usual line is the M40 and M25, then the A3 south towards Chichester. Off-peak, that takes around 1 hour 45 minutes to 2 hours. During the Festival, Goodwood asks drivers not to follow their sat nav for the last part of the journey. Instead, cars are directed along a planned road network to the right car park, using a colour on the parking label or the public parking signs. The route maps are in Goodwood's getting here guide, and it is worth looking at them the week before rather than on the morning.
Where do taxis drop off at the Festival of Speed?
Goodwood asks all taxis to follow event signage to Gate 1, its designated drop-off and pick-up area. That is where our Goodwood Festival of Speed chauffeur service sets passengers down in the morning and meets them again at the agreed time. Gate 1 is also where Shopmobility is based, so it suits anyone who has pre-booked a wheelchair or scooter for the day.
Agree the collection time with your driver before you walk in, and allow for the fact that most of the crowd leaves as the event winds down towards 7pm.
How does the train and shuttle option work?
The nearest station is Chichester. Goodwood says the quickest way from London is from Waterloo, changing at Havant, and puts the journey at about 1 hour 30 minutes, with direct services from London Victoria as well. A paid shuttle bus runs between Chichester station and the event from 7am to 8pm, and anyone arriving by public bus should end their journey at Chichester bus station next to the railway station.
For someone in Gerrards Cross or Beaconsfield, the rail route first means getting into central London and across to Waterloo or Victoria, so the total journey is considerably longer than the train time alone; National Rail will show the connections for your date. It is a good option for a solo visitor who wants a drink; for a family or a group it adds up quickly.
| Option | Where you arrive | Worth knowing |
|---|---|---|
| Drive and park | Free public car parks on grassland, open from 6.30am | No overnight parking or camping in car parks; no parking on approach roads; no EV charging in event car parks |
| Train and shuttle | Chichester station, then the event shuttle (7am to 8pm) | Change at Havant from Waterloo, or take a direct train from Victoria |
| Coach | Big Green Coach services from regional hubs to the gates | Book through the coach operator |
| Taxi or chauffeur | Gate 1, the designated drop-off and pick-up area | Set a collection time before you go in |
| Fly in | Goodwood Aerodrome on the estate | Pilots must read the aerodrome's safety information first |
Why use a driver for a day at Goodwood?
Because of the hours involved. Four hours of driving wrapped around a twelve-hour day outdoors is a lot to ask of whoever holds the keys, and the grass car parks can be a long walk from the hillclimb. Being set down at Gate 1 removes the parking and gives everyone the same freedom to enjoy the Festival.
It also works well for groups of enthusiasts. A Mercedes-Benz V-Class takes up to seven people, and the Ford Tourneo up to eight, so a club outing or a family with teenagers can travel together. For trips of this distance, our long-distance taxi service quotes a fixed return fare before you book.
Do children need tickets for the Festival of Speed?
Yes. Goodwood says children aged 12 and under need an admission ticket, ordered in advance, and all under-18s must be with a ticket-holding adult. On arrival, children collect a wristband at the entry gates, which parents can write a phone number on. A reduced Young Person ticket covers 13 to 21 year olds. Tickets are digital and appear in the Goodwood Tickets app, so check they have loaded before you leave home.
What should you take for the day?
Comfortable shoes come first, since the estate is large and much of the day is spent walking between the paddocks, the hillclimb and the Forest Rally Stage. July weather in West Sussex can be hot or wet, so sun cream and a light waterproof are both worth packing. Ear protection helps younger children near the startline. If you are being collected, keep a charged phone for the pick-up message at the end of the day.
More motorsport and summer days out
The British Grand Prix at Silverstone falls a couple of weeks before the Festival in 2027, and it has very different travel rules, including no drop-off at the circuit itself. Our Silverstone travel guide explains them. For a summer of racing instead, see our guide to Royal Ascot.