What’s that coming over the hill? It’s the 2024 Goodwood Festival of Speed! Attending this illustrious summer festival of motor racing’s past, present and future is a bucket-list experience for any motoring enthusiast.
Last year’s festival – which celebrated 75 years of the Goodwood Motor Circuit – was soaked in nostalgia, and this year’s instalment is set to be just as reflective and rousing. Join us as we explore what’s in store for the Goodwood Festival of Speed 2024 in our essential insider’s guide.
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When is the 2024 Goodwood Festival of Speed?
While the exact schedule is still under wraps, the Goodwood dates for 2024 have been confirmed. The Festival of Speed (FoS) will take place from Thursday, 11 July to Sunday, 14 July.
Based on previous years, Thursday and Friday are the best days to explore the various exhibitions and events, while Saturday is all about the Library Lawn Garden Party. Then on the Sunday, the focus shifts to the iconic Goodwood hill climb and the famous Sunday Shootout.
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Discover the theme of the 2024 Festival of Speed
The Goodwood Festival of Speed 2024 theme is ‘Horseless to Hybrid – Revolutions in Power’.
This spirited celebration marks 130 years since the world’s first motor race (the 1894 Paris-Rouen Trial). The focus will be on the technological advances that have brought us to where we are today, with a look at where we may go in the future.
This theme will permeate all areas of this festival, whether that’s the immersive experiences in Future Lab or the classic Goodwood hill climb. Notably, every race over the weekend will take place using sustainable fuel, reinforcing Goodwood’s commitment to the future of motorsport.
In addition to its core theme, the 2024 festival will celebrate several other anniversaries, including 100 years of the iconic British marque MG, as well as the 75th birthday of the late Niki Lauda and 50 years since his first Grand Prix victory.
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The iconic hillclimb is worth the trip alone
The iconic Goodwood hill climb is a challenging 1.16-mile stretch of narrow, bumpy road that defines the Festival of Speed. Drivers and manufacturers relish the opportunity to showcase their skills and cars as they attempt to log a record climb and seal a place in the famous Sunday Shootout.
As the name suggests, this event takes place on the Sunday, with the best from the weekend pitting it out on the final day for a chance to be crowned champion of the hill. It’s the event everyone wants to see, so ensure you have a good view and settle in for a day of pure adrenaline.
In 2023, Marvin Kirchhöfer recorded the fastest run (0:45:34) in the sensational McLaren Solus GT. Yet the all-time hill climb record was set by Max Chilton the previous year, when he guided his McMurtry Spéirling to the top in a staggering 0:39:08.
The hill climb is your chance to watch the oldest, newest, fastest, most legendary and most intriguing vehicles in action. In recent years, we have seen cars from F1 and Le Mans, innovative concept cars and high-powered electric vehicles. For the first time in 2024, we will see a driverless single-seater car guided up the hill by AI technology.
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What to wear to Goodwood Festival of Speed
If you’re wondering what to wear to the Goodwood Festival of Speed then take note. The dress code for the event is smart casual, which is open to interpretation. Here’s our take, based on many years of attendance.
Goodwood style tips for men
Although the days of full-piece suits at Goodwood are largely over, we recommend smart casual with a modern twist. Typically, the dress code for men entails trousers, a collared shirt and a jacket. Anticipate the weather showing its best with your shirt choice – try a bold look and really make a statement.
Goodwood style tips for women
You can’t go wrong with a stylish summer dress and fancy hat. Linen trousers are also very in and a nice alternative if you’re not in the mood for a dress or skirt. We also recommend opting for comfort and wearing flat shoes. There’s so much to see at Goodwood, and walking a fair distance – often over grass and gravel – is the best way to do it.
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Goodwood Festival of Speed FAQ
From how to get to Goodwood to the best day to visit, here’s a rundown of the most common questions we encounter about the Festival of Speed.
What is the Goodwood Festival of Speed?
Goodwood is a grand estate located in the verdant English countryside, hosting an assortment of exciting annual motoring events, including The Goodwood Revival and the Members’ Meeting.
Yet the jewel in the crown is undoubtedly the Festival of Speed, which takes place each summer. Widely regarded as one of the world’s greatest motorsport festivals, the FoS is a weekend of non-stop horsepower, automotive masterpieces, glamour and socialising.
In addition to being a celebration of motoring, it’s a place to rub shoulders with some of the biggest names, from motoring legends such as Nigel Mansell, Sebastian Vettel and Lewis Hamilton to Hollywood A-listers like Tom Cruise, who all come to indulge in this motoring dreamland. At the 2024 Goodwood Festival of Speed, current F1 drivers Alex Albon and Logan Sargeant will be in attendance on Thursday and Friday.
Yet the stars take a backseat to the show-stopping cars that grace Goodwood each year, allowing you to get up close and personal to your favourite supercars and bikes. Even more remarkable is that many of these will take to the track to measure up against the world-famous Goodwood hill climb that has come to define this legendary motoring event.
Where is the Goodwood Festival of Speed?
The Festival of Speed is situated in the heart of rural West Sussex, at the Goodwood Estate in Chichester. This 12,000-acre country retreat is home to Goodwood House – the family residence of the 11th Duke of Richmond.
Additionally, the multipurpose estate houses two 18-hole golf courses, four restaurants, a country hotel, a health club, an organic farm, and an aerodrome.
The estate is synonymous with sport, particularly its horse racing, golf, shooting, cricket and, of course, motor racing. Each year, the estate plays host to signature events including the Festival of Speed, the Goodwood Revival, and the Goodwood Festival.
Image: Goodwood Festival of Speed
Who owns Goodwood?
Having been in the family since 1697, the Goodwood Estate currently belongs to the 11th Duke of Richmond, Charles Gordon-Lennox. After a highly successful career as a photographer in London, the Duke took over from his father and predecessor in 1994, and is considered the founder of Goodwood’s Festival of Speed.
What’s the best day to go to the Goodwood Festival of Speed?
As always, the 2024 Goodwood Festival of Speed takes place over four days. While Thursday and Friday are full of excitement and anticipation, Saturday and Sunday are considered the best days to visit the FoS.
On Saturday the exhibitions and hill climb are in full swing, while you can also enjoy the festivities of the lively Library Lawn Garden Party – an exclusive soirée in the Duke and Duchess’s private garden.
Then Sunday is when we get to see the legendary Sunday Shootout, where one true champion is crowned at the end of a thrilling day on the Goodwood hill climb. Of course, you can join us to watch the action unfold from the Clark Pavilion, situated on the most dramatic corner of the course, complete with full hospitality and a premium open bar.
Additionally, the weekend is when most celebrities and motoring stars make their appearances, which just adds to the excitement.
Is there a dress code at the Goodwood Festival of Speed?
Goodwood is a relatively relaxed event, although if you are planning to spectate from any of the hospitality suites, smart casual attire is required. While the event will be held in summer, English weather is notoriously unpredictable – as you will know if you joined us for last year’s festival – so pack a rain jacket, just in case the heavens open.
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How to get to Goodwood
Goodwood House is found in Chichester, West Sussex, which is just under two hours from London. If you take the train, the Southern service from London Victoria to Chichester Train Station takes just one hour and 30 minutes. Shuttle bus services run between the station and the event all day.
If you are driving from London, then follow the A3 to Chichester. With around a quarter of a million guests attending over the four days, the roads around Goodwood understandably become very busy and it’s advised that you do not follow a sat nav system. Instead, follow the estate’s parking guide to make things flow more smoothly.
Of course, if sitting in traffic isn’t your cup of tea, you can always join us on a chartered helicopter flight to and from the festival, enjoying bird’s-eye views of the lush English countryside at the same time.
When was the first Festival of Speed?
The seeds of the Festival of Speed were planted back in 1936 when the 9th Duke of Richmond hosted a hill climb for Lancia Car Club on the grounds of Goodwood House.
Fast forward to June 1993 and, building on motoring events held at the estate over the previous half century, the current Duke launched the first official Goodwood Festival of Speed.
This inaugural festival attracted 25,000 people and was declared a resounding success. Since then, the festival has become bigger, better and more prestigious with each passing year.
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Why not join us at Goodwood for the 2025 Festival of Speed?
With such an eventful lineup, we can’t wait to visit Goodwood again this year. If you want to experience this hot-ticket event in 2025, join us for our special Goodwood Festival of Speed Hospitality package, where you can enjoy VIP access, unrivalled views of the action, and superb company.
You can also enhance your experience by joining our immersive and luxurious Swiss Supercar Tour, on which you can opt to enjoy the festivities at Goodwood as part of your tour.
Places are limited, so be sure to enquire early to avoid disappointment. You can learn more about this experience or any of our bucket-list adventures by speaking to our friendly travel concierge team today.
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