GoodwoodA place to stay near Goodwood: 11 miles from the Motor Circuit

What is at Goodwood

Goodwood is the estate of the Dukes of Richmond, on the Downs above Chichester. It is several places, not one, and they are a mile or two apart, so it helps to know which you are going to.

• Goodwood Motor Circuit: about 11 miles, about 20 minutes. It opened in September 1948 on what had been RAF Westhampnett, a Battle of Britain station. The lap is about 2.4 miles. The Members’ Meeting and the Revival are here, and track days and driving experiences run all year by booking.
• Goodwood House: about 12 miles, about 30 minutes. The Festival of Speed is held in its park, not at the circuit. Guided tours of the State Apartments, with the Canalettos and the Stubbs, run most Sundays and Mondays from March to October and must be booked.
• Goodwood Racecourse: about 12.5 miles, about 25 minutes. The first public meeting was in 1802. There are 19 racedays a year between the end of April and October, and no winter racing.
• Golf: the Park Course is open to anyone paying a green fee. The Downs Course, laid out by James Braid in 1914, is generally for members and their guests.
• Aerodrome: a grass airfield beside the circuit. The flying school has given lessons since 1973, and Spitfire passenger flights are from £3,250 a person. Book ahead. Flying depends on the weather.
• Goodwood Art Foundation: about 11 miles. Contemporary art in galleries and about 70 acres of woodland, opened in 2025 on the site of the old Cass Sculpture Foundation. Open Thursday to Monday, with timed sessions. Check the winter hours before you go.

Goodwood dates for 2027

These are the dates published by Goodwood and the British Horseracing Authority. Motorsport tickets are sold in advance only, and the popular days sell out months ahead.

• Members’ Meeting: Saturday 10 and Sunday 11 April, at the Motor Circuit. Tickets are for Goodwood Road Racing Club members and Fellowship only.
• Festival of Speed: Thursday 15 to Sunday 18 July, in the park at Goodwood House.
• Qatar Goodwood Festival, still called Glorious Goodwood by most people: Tuesday 27 to Saturday 31 July, at the Racecourse.
• Goodwood Revival: Friday 17 to Sunday 19 September, at the Motor Circuit.
• The rest of the racing: 19 racedays in all, from Friday 30 April to Sunday 10 October.
• Chichester 10K: Sunday 7 February, starting and finishing at the Motor Circuit.

What you can and cannot walk into

The Kennels, built in 1787 by James Wyatt for the 3rd Duke’s foxhounds, is the clubhouse for Goodwood members and their guests. You cannot book a table there as a visitor, and the Downs golf course is the same. We mention it so you do not plan a lunch around it.

The Racecourse does not admit dogs, apart from assistance dogs arranged in advance, and it is cashless with digital tickets. At the circuit, dogs on a lead are welcome on driving-experience days, but event days have their own rules, so read Goodwood’s dog policy for your event. The Art Foundation welcomes dogs in the galleries, gardens and restaurant.

In winter there is no racing and the House is closed apart from bookable events such as a Christmas afternoon tea and tour. The circuit, the Park Course and the aerodrome carry on.

Why stay 11 miles out

The Revival alone brings more than 150,000 people to Goodwood over three days. West Marden is a farm valley in the next stretch of downland, with one pub and no main road. You spend the day in the crowd and come back to a quiet courtyard, your own kitchen and the Victoria Inn a very short walk away.

On a normal day the drive is about 20 minutes. On event days the last two miles are far slower, so leave early. Parking at the farm is free, and you set off from your own front door when it suits you.

You cannot walk to Goodwood from here. You need a car.

From the farm

Keepers suits two couples coming together: two super-king bedrooms, each with its own bathroom, and a wood burner for April and September evenings. The Old Stables is on one level, also with two en-suite bedrooms and a wood burner. Barley Cottage has a king and a twin, and takes one dog for £50 a stay. A party of up to 12 can take the whole farm.

There is a three-night minimum over Goodwood events. A week is from £896 in Barley and £1,204 in Keepers or The Old Stables, with no booking fees when you book direct. The heated pool is open from mid-June to early September, Monday to Saturday, which covers the Festival of Speed and the Qatar Goodwood Festival.