Parking at Goodwood Events

What to know about parking at the Festival of Speed, Revival and races

Parking at Goodwood's major events is a subject that every visitor needs to consider. With the Festival of Speed attracting over 200,000 people across a weekend and Glorious Goodwood drawing tens of thousands of racegoers each day, the estate's car parking operation is one of the largest temporary parking exercises in southern England.

For the Festival of Speed and Revival, car parking is included in the ticket price. The car parks are located in fields surrounding the estate, and the allocation of a specific car park depends on the ticket type, the direction of approach and the traffic management plan for the day. Colour-coded signs on the approach roads direct drivers to their designated parking area, and it is important to follow these signs rather than attempting to find a closer or more convenient location.

The walk from the car parks to the event entrances varies from a few minutes to twenty minutes or more, depending on the car park allocation. The paths are across grass fields, which can be muddy in wet weather, and comfortable, waterproof footwear is advisable. The estate provides shuttle services for visitors with mobility difficulties, and disabled parking is available in closer proximity to the entrances.

Arrival time makes a significant difference to the parking experience. Those who arrive before 8am typically find the approach roads clear, the car parks accessible and the walk to the entrance straightforward. By mid-morning, queues can build on the approach roads, and the later you arrive, the further from the entrance your parking allocation is likely to be. Returning to the car at the end of the day follows a similar pattern: those who leave before the main rush find the exit smooth, while those who leave at peak time should expect a wait.

For Glorious Goodwood, the racecourse car parks are on the Downs, close to the course. Parking is included in most ticket prices, but premium parking near the entrance is available at an additional charge. The approach roads to the racecourse are steep and narrow, and the estate operates a one-way traffic system during racing days to manage the flow. The views from the car parks, looking across the coastal plain to Chichester and the sea, are some compensation for the queue.

Coach parking is available at all major events, and group bookings can reserve coach spaces in advance. Motorcycle parking is provided at designated areas, and cyclists can use dedicated cycle parking near the entrances.

The estate's traffic management is professionally run and has been refined over decades of experience. Marshals, road signs, barriers and communication systems are deployed to keep traffic moving, and the operation is overseen by a team that coordinates with the police and local highways authority. Despite these efforts, some congestion is inevitable at events of this scale, and patience, early arrival and a philosophical attitude to sitting in a field for a few minutes while the car parks fill or empty are the keys to a stress-free experience.

Pre-event information, including maps, approach routes and specific parking instructions, is sent to ticket holders and published on the Goodwood website. Reading this information before your visit saves time and reduces confusion on the day.