The Motorsport Heritage Trail
Walking in the wheeltracks of legends around the Goodwood circuit
The Goodwood Motor Circuit is accessible to visitors outside of event days, and walking the circuit provides a tangible connection to the motorsport history that has unfolded on this stretch of Sussex tarmac since 1948. The heritage trail follows the 2.4-mile perimeter road, passing each of the circuit's famous corners and offering views across the infield to the paddock, the pits and the grandstands.
Starting at the main entrance near the Goodwood Aerodrome, the trail leads along the start-finish straight, where the grid has formed for thousands of races over seven decades. The pit lane, on the left, is remarkably close to the racing line, a reminder of the era when driver safety was a secondary consideration to the spectacle of racing. The timing tower and the control buildings have been sympathetically restored, and they retain the period character that is so important to the circuit's identity.
Madgwick corner, the first turn on the circuit, is a right-hander taken at considerable speed in race conditions. Named after Flight Lieutenant Albert Madgwick, who was killed during the Battle of Britain flying from RAF Westhampnett, the corner sets the tone for a lap that demands constant attention. From Madgwick, the circuit flows through Fordwater, a fast left-hander that opens out towards the trees on the eastern boundary of the estate.
St Mary's is a double apex right-hander that is arguably the most demanding corner on the circuit. It was here that Stirling Moss suffered his career-ending crash in 1962, and the corner's reputation for punishing even the smallest error has made it one of the most respected turns in historic racing. The banking and the approach speed combine to create a corner where commitment must be balanced precisely against caution.
Lavant corner, a long left-hander, carries the driver through the northwestern section of the circuit and onto the Lavant straight, which leads back towards the start-finish line. The straight is one of the faster sections of the circuit, and the braking zone for the chicane at the end is one of the key overtaking points. The chicane itself, added in 1952 to slow cars approaching the pit area, has been the scene of countless dramatic moments, from brilliant last-corner passes to spectacular collisions.
Walking the circuit takes approximately forty-five minutes at a leisurely pace, and interpretive panels at key points along the route provide historical context and photographs from the circuit's archive. The views from the circuit are attractive, with the South Downs rising to the north and the open farmland of the coastal plain stretching south towards Chichester and the sea.
The heritage trail is free to walk on non-event days, though access may be restricted during track days, filming or private hire events. The circuit is also popular with runners and cyclists, who use the smooth, flat surface for training. The combination of physical exercise and historical immersion makes the Goodwood heritage trail one of the most rewarding walks in West Sussex for anyone with an interest in motorsport.
Information about opening times and access restrictions is available from the Goodwood estate. Visitors are advised to check in advance, particularly during the spring and autumn when the event calendar is busiest.