Found on the lawn at FOS is the finest concours d'elegance in the world, where the most beautiful cars are presented
Sir Stirling Moss was one of the founding patrons of the Festival of Speed, and a regular competitor at the Revival.
The first public race meeting took place in 1802 and, through the nineteenth century, ‘Glorious Goodwood,’ as the press named it, became a highlight of the summer season
Leading women of business, sport, fashion and media, take part in one of the most exciting horseracing events in the world.
Flying training began at Goodwood in 1940 when pilots were taught operational flying techniques in Hurricanes and Spitfires.
A 20m woodland rue, from Halnaker to Lavant, was planted by our forestry teams & volunteers, featuring native species like oak, beech, & hornbeam
According to Head Butler at Goodwood House David Edney "Class, sophistication and discretion".
Built in 1787 by celebrated architect James Wyatt to house the third Duke of Richmond’s prized fox hounds, The Kennels was known as one of the most luxurious dog houses in the world!
The dining room is host to an original painting from the Goodwood collection of the 6th Duke as a child.
Flying jetpacks doesn't have to just be a spectator sport at FOS, you can have a go at our very own Aerodrome!
Sir Stirling Moss was one of the founding patrons of the Festival of Speed, and a regular competitor at the Revival.
The Fiat S76 or "Beast of Turin" is a Goodwood favourite and can usually be heard before it is seen at #FOS
Our replica of the famous motor show showcases the "cars of the future" in true Revival style
The famous fighter ace, who flew his last sortie from Goodwood Aerodrome, formerly RAF Westhampnett has a statue in his honor within the airfield.
From 2005 to present there has been a demonstration area for the rally cars at the top of the hill
The Fiat S76 or "Beast of Turin" is a Goodwood favourite and can usually be heard before it is seen at #FOS
The red & yellow of the Racecourse can be traced back hundreds of years, even captured in our stunning Stubbs paintings in the Goodwood Collection
One Summer, King Edward VII turned his back on the traditional morning suit, and donned a linen suit and Panama hat. Thus the Glorious Goodwood trend was born.
The first public race meeting took place in 1802 and, through the nineteenth century, ‘Glorious Goodwood,’ as the press named it, became a highlight of the summer season
The first public race meeting took place in 1802 and, through the nineteenth century, ‘Glorious Goodwood,’ as the press named it, became a highlight of the summer season
The first public race meeting took place in 1802 and, through the nineteenth century, ‘Glorious Goodwood,’ as the press named it, became a highlight of the summer season
The first ever horsebox was used from Goodwood to Doncaster for the 1836 St. Leger. Elis arrived fresh and easily won his owner a £12k bet.
Goodwood Motor Circuit was officially opened in September 1948 when Freddie March, the 9th Duke and renowned amateur racer, tore around the track in a Bristol 400
Ray Hanna famously flew straight down Goodwood’s pit straight below the height of the grandstands at the first Revival in 1998
The first ever round of golf played at Goodwood was in 1914 when the 6th Duke of Richmond opened the course on the Downs above Goodwood House.
The iconic spitfire covered almost 43,000 kilometres and visited over 20 countries on its epic journey and currently resides at our Aerodrome.
Head Butler David Edney has worked at Buckingham Palace taking part in Dinner Parties for the then Duke of Richmond and the Queen.
Goodwood Motor Circuit was officially opened in September 1948 when Freddie March, the 9th Duke and renowned amateur racer, tore around the track in a Bristol 400
The first ever round of golf played at Goodwood was in 1914 when the 6th Duke of Richmond opened the course on the Downs above Goodwood House.
The first ever round of golf played at Goodwood was in 1914 when the 6th Duke of Richmond opened the course on the Downs above Goodwood House.
One of the greatest golfers of all time, James Braid designed Goodwood’s iconic Downland course, opened in 1914.
The first ever round of golf played at Goodwood was in 1914 when the 6th Duke of Richmond opened the course on the Downs above Goodwood House.
The famous fighter ace, who flew his last sortie from Goodwood Aerodrome, formerly RAF Westhampnett has a statue in his honor within the airfield.
The iconic spitfire covered almost 43,000 kilometres and visited over 20 countries on its epic journey and currently resides at our Aerodrome.
The Motor Circuit was known as RAF Westhampnett, active from 1940 to 1946 as a Battle of Britain station.
We have been host to many incredible film crews using Goodwood as a backdrop for shows like Downton Abbey, Hollywood Blockbusters like Venom: let there be Carnage and the Man from U.N.C.L.E.
After a fire in 1791 at Richmond House in Whitehall, London, James Wyatt added two great wings to showcase the saved collection at Goodwood. To give unity to the two new wings, Wyatt added copper-domed turrets framing each façade.
Ensure you take a little time out together to pause and take in the celebration of all the hard work you put in will be a treasured memory.
Ensure you take a little time out together to pause and take in the celebration of all the hard work you put in will be a treasured memory.
The red & yellow of the Racecourse can be traced back hundreds of years, even captured in our stunning Stubbs paintings in the Goodwood Collection
The famous fighter ace, who flew his last sortie from Goodwood Aerodrome, formerly RAF Westhampnett has a statue in his honor within the airfield.
Built in 1787 by celebrated architect James Wyatt to house the third Duke of Richmond’s prized fox hounds, The Kennels was known as one of the most luxurious dog houses in the world!
The oldest existing rules for the game were drawn up for a match between the 2nd Duke and a neighbour
Just beyond Goodwood House along the Hillclimb, the 2nd Dukes banqueting house was also known as "one of the finest rooms in England" (George Vertue 1747).
Goodwood’s pigs are a mix of two rare breeds (Gloucester Old Spots and Saddlebacks) plus the Large White Boar.
A 20m woodland rue, from Halnaker to Lavant, was planted by our forestry teams & volunteers, featuring native species like oak, beech, & hornbeam
The iconic spitfire covered almost 43,000 kilometres and visited over 20 countries on its epic journey and currently resides at our Aerodrome.
Built in 1787 by celebrated architect James Wyatt to house the third Duke of Richmond’s prized fox hounds, The Kennels was known as one of the most luxurious dog houses in the world!
The famous fighter ace, who flew his last sortie from Goodwood Aerodrome, formerly RAF Westhampnett has a statue in his honor within the airfield.
Whoa Simon! A horse so determined and headstrong, he not only won the 1883 Goodwood Cup by 20 lengths, but couldn't be stopped and carried on running over the top of Trundle hill
Goodwood’s pigs are a mix of two rare breeds (Gloucester Old Spots and Saddlebacks) plus the Large White Boar.
Described by Stirling Moss as “the worst car I ever drove”, the BRM V16 was supposed to show the world what British automotive design and engineering were capable of. Unfortunately, things didn’t go to plan...
Words by Andrew Frankel
goodwood newsletter
Motor Circuit
Motorsport
If a Martian fell to earth and asked the meaning of the phrase “better in theory than in practice”, you might never find a more appropriate illustration than the BRM V16. Conceived in the belief that Britain’s best minds could achieve anything, it was a car of not one or two but literally hundreds of parents, co-operating to produce what was intended to be the world’s fastest racing car. And it was doomed from the outset.
It was the idea of Raymond Mays, who had enjoyed considerable success building and racing ERAs (English Racing Automobiles) before the war. He imagined a project where suppliers would come together in the national interest to build a unique racing car for a charitable trust known as British Racing Motors. There were over 300 of them.
At its heart lay a 1.5-litre engine with no fewer than sixteen cylinders, boosted by a Rolls-Royce supercharger. Outlandishly powerful, ear-rentingly loud, to listen to one is to hear a sound you’ll never forget. In fact, you can even listen to its distinctive roar on vinyl, or via YouTube. But it came with two fundamental flaws. The first was that it was being asked to do things no racing engine had achieved before, like producing nearly 600bhp at no fewer than 12,000rpm. As a result, it was woefully unreliable.
Better in theory than in practice
Secondly, instead of power initially rising then ebbing away as the revs increased, the engine would produce more and more power until it exploded. So the moment the car got any wheelspin, the revs would soar, supplying even more power to the wheels, which would spin even more. For the driver, the only option was to lift off the accelerator – after which there was no power at all. Nor were these its only problems. The car’s driving position was terrible, its steering poor and its handling wayward. No wonder Stirling Moss described it as, “without doubt the worst car I ever drove”.
Conceived in 1945, its development took so long it wouldn’t make its public debut until the summer of 1950 at Silverstone, where it broke down before covering a yard. Scornful spectators threw pennies into the driver’s seat as it was pushed away. A month later, it appeared to redeem itself by winning twice at Goodwood, but that was against inadequate, largely prewar, machinery, not the state-of-the-art racers it was designed to beat.
Without doubt the worst car I ever drove
Sir Stirling Moss
The only time the car ran reliably in a World Championship was at the 1951 British Grand Prix when two cars came fifth and seventh, which sounds respectable until you learn that the quicker car was lapped five times by the winning Ferrari.
Then the rules of Formula 1 changed, consigning the BRMs to eke out the remainder of their existence competing in more minor races, which they did until 1955, when the obsolescence of a design that had been started fully 10 years earlier forced them into retirement.
Today, seeing a BRM V16 run is the rarest of treats and, being kind, perhaps we can see now that its biggest problem was being too far ahead of its time. But it also stands as stark proof that without the ability to turn such theory into practice, even the best ideas will never deliver on their promise.
goodwood newsletter
Motor Circuit
Motorsport
Book tickets
For our big events, to the small ones too
Book event hospitality
Enjoy with loved ones, colleagues or clients
Buy an experience
For yourself, a loved one, or both!
Book a table
Choose from three of our restaurants
Book your stay
Stay at our hotel, cottages or Hound Lodge
Become a member
Join the family and get exclusive rewards
Book tickets Change
Choose event
Flying jetpacks doesn't have to just be a spectator sport at FOS, you can have a go at our very own Aerodrome!
From elite motorsport to historic horse racing, you’ll have an unforgettable experience.
Book event hospitality Change
Choose event
Leading women of business, sport, fashion and media, take part in one of the most exciting horseracing events in the world.
Experience ultimate access to our exceptional events with our all inclusive hospitality packages.
Buy an experience Change
Choose experience
Flying jetpacks doesn't have to just be a spectator sport at FOS, you can have a go at our very own Aerodrome!
From driving and flying to golf and dining, experiences at Goodwood are simply unforgettable.
Book a table Change
Choose restaurant
Choose from three of our restaurants, all serving our award-winning organic produce.
Book your stay Change
Find availability
Henry Cavill, Hugh Grant, Armie Hammer and Guy Ritchie filmed scenes at our very own Motor Circuit
We’re already looking forward to seeing you.
Become a member Change
Choose a membership
Whatever your passion, there is a Goodwood membership to make you feel at home.
Sign in below to access your account and benefits
Don't have an account?Create your account by entering your details below...
Already have an account