Goodwood Estate · Chichester · West Sussex PO18 0PS · Qatar Goodwood Festival, late July
Glorious Goodwood Transfers – Fixed Price Quote, Book Online 24/7
Goodwood Racecourse sits on the crest of the South Downs, six hundred feet up, with a view that runs to the Isle of Wight on a clear day. Race week in late July is the prettiest fixture in British flat racing and the only one where the dress code is linen rather than morning coat.
Above sea level, on the crest of the Downs. It is the reason for the view, the reason it is called glorious, and the reason the wind can be brisk on the hill even in late July. Bring a layer for the evening.
How Goodwood differs from Ascot
Both are showpiece flat meetings and they feel nothing alike.
The Goodwood look
Lighter and less formal than Royal Ascot. Morning dress is not the convention here.
Six hundred feet up
The best natural viewing of any British racecourse, and open to the weather.
The only access
Which is the single constraint on the day, in both directions.
Rules vary
Dress requirements differ between enclosures. The racecourse publishes them.
Kent to the Sussex Downs
Across Sussex rather than through London, and up onto the Downs at the end.
| Pick-up area | Distance | Race week journey |
|---|---|---|
| Tunbridge Wells & Southborough | 62 miles | 1h 45m – 2h 20m |
| Sevenoaks & Tonbridge | 68 miles | 1h 55m – 2h 30m |
| Bromley & Orpington | 70 miles | 2h – 2h 35m |
| Maidstone & Aylesford | 75 miles | 2h 5m – 2h 45m |
| Dartford & Bluewater | 80 miles | 2h 10m – 2h 50m |
| Gravesend & Northfleet | 84 miles | 2h 20m – 3h |
| Ashford & Tenterden | 86 miles | 2h 20m – 3h |
| Canterbury & Whitstable | 104 miles | 2h 45m – 3h 30m |
Which day of race week
Five days, and they are not equivalent. Worth choosing deliberately.
| Day | Character |
|---|---|
| Tuesday | Opening day, and the Goodwood Cup. Busy and serious |
| Wednesday | The Sussex Stakes. Arguably the best racing of the week |
| Thursday | Ladies' Day. The dressiest and one of the busiest |
| Friday | Strong card, slightly less crowded |
| Saturday | The most crowded and the most social. A big day out |
Race week on the hill
It is not the same estate event as the motor circuit
Goodwood the racecourse, Goodwood the Motor Circuit and Goodwood House all sit on the same estate and all get called Goodwood. Glorious Goodwood is the racing, up on the hill. The Festival of Speed and the Revival are motoring events at different sites entirely, with their own page on this site. Say which you mean and the confusion disappears.
The dress code is lighter than Ascot's
Linen suits and panama hats rather than morning dress, which is one of the reasons a great many people prefer race week here. Requirements do vary by enclosure and the racecourse publishes them, so check against the enclosure on your ticket rather than assuming the relaxed version applies everywhere.
Bring something for the wind
Six hundred feet up on an exposed ridge is glorious in the sunshine and brisk when the weather turns, and late July in England does not guarantee the sunshine. A light layer that lives in the vehicle costs nothing and has saved a good many afternoons on that hill.
The lanes are the whole traffic story
Everything up to the racecourse arrives on narrow Sussex roads climbing the Downs, and there is no clever alternative. We plan an early arrival and hold well back for the exit, agreeing the collection point in advance. The fixed fare means the time spent waiting is ours rather than yours.
Glorious Goodwood questions
Race week on the Downs.
Is this the same as the Festival of Speed?
No. Glorious Goodwood is horse racing at Goodwood Racecourse. The Festival of Speed and the Revival are motoring events at different sites on the same estate, covered on a separate page here.
What is the dress code?
Lighter than Royal Ascot. Linen suits and panama hats are the convention rather than morning dress, though requirements vary by enclosure and the racecourse publishes them.
Which day should we pick?
Wednesday has arguably the best racing, Thursday is Ladies' Day and the dressiest, and Saturday is the most crowded and social. Tuesday opens the week with the Goodwood Cup.
How far is it from Kent?
Around sixty to a hundred and five miles, roughly an hour and three quarters to three and a half hours across Sussex rather than through London.
Why does everyone mention the view?
Because the course sits six hundred feet up on the crest of the South Downs, with a view running to the Isle of Wight on a clear day. It is the best natural viewing in British racing.
What should we bring?
A light layer. An exposed ridge is glorious in sunshine and brisk when the weather turns, and late July in England guarantees nothing.
How is the traffic?
Narrow Sussex lanes climbing the Downs, with no alternative route. We arrive early, hold back for the exit and the fixed fare means the waiting costs you nothing.
Can you take a full coach?
Yes, up to forty-nine seats. Coach access during race week is managed, so give us notice of the day.
Racecourses and Sussex
The summer meetings.