Goodwood sits in the countryside three miles north of Chichester, and hotel rooms near the estate are limited. We compare every base by how you get from bed to gate, using Goodwood's own travel and camping rules.
**The Immediate Answer:** If you want to sleep next to the event, book **official camping** on the Goodwood estate. It's sold for the whole weekend only and Goodwood says it sells out. If you want a hotel, stay in **Chichester**, three miles south: it has the nearest train station and the official shuttle bus to the event. Coastal towns on the same rail line work as overflow. Driving works too: parking is free, but expect slow traffic in and out.
The **2027 Goodwood Festival of Speed runs 15 to 18 July 2027**, Thursday to Sunday. General ticket sales open on **9 November 2026**, and entry is by advance ticket only, with no sales at the gate. It's less than two weeks after the [2027 British Grand Prix](/f1/british-grand-prix) at Silverstone, and in 2026 seven current F1 race drivers took part, from Lando Norris to Kimi Antonelli. Goodwood hasn't announced the 2027 line-up yet.
1. Camp on the Goodwood Estate
Camping is the simplest way to skip the morning traffic. Goodwood runs its own campsites next to the event. Everything below comes from Goodwood's official camping guide and FAQ.
| Campsite | Where | Pitches | Getting to the event |
|---|---|---|---|
| Campsite H | Close to the Goodwood Hotel | Every pitch has electric hook-up, pitches allocated when you book, accessible pitches available | Campsite shuttle (walking distance not published) |
| Campsite E | Next to the Goodwood Motor Circuit | Electric or non-electric, RVs accepted | Free shuttle (tractors and buses) from the campsite bus stops, 07:00 to 19:30 on event days |
| Campsite F (family) | Racecourse | Family-only site | Not bookable for 2027 (redevelopment work) |
- **Pitches are 9 x 7 meters, for up to four people.** Children 12 and under camp free.
- **Weekend only.** Goodwood sells pitches for the whole Festival, not by the night. You can arrive from 09:00 on Wednesday and must leave by noon on Monday.
- **No cars move inside the campsites from 22:00 to 07:00.** Arrive late and you'll be parked up and taken to your pitch in the morning.
- **Facilities:** showers, toilets, drinking-water standpipes, a food truck morning and evening, and an evening bus to the Goodwood Hotel bar and grill (last bus 22:45). No campfires; barbecues are allowed.
- **Pitch prices for 2027 aren't published yet.** Check the Goodwood ticket shop when you buy your Festival tickets.
**Our take:** for a group of four staying the full weekend, camping is the most practical base by far. You're on site, parking is inside your pitch, and you avoid the traffic queues fans complain about most. Pack for rain: the campsites are on farmland, and Goodwood itself says to come prepared for wet and cold.
2. Stay on the Estate: The Goodwood Hotel and Cottages
**The Goodwood Hotel** is on New Barn Hill, on the estate itself, close to Campsite H. It's Goodwood's own hotel, so you're a short trip from the Festival. Its standard rates start from £150 per room per night, but that's not a Festival-week price, and the hotel doesn't publish one. Goodwood also rents out self-catering cottages and Hound Lodge on the estate. All of these are booked directly with Goodwood, and for Festival week you should ask as soon as you have tickets.
3. Chichester: The Best Hotel Base
Chichester is a small cathedral city three miles south of Goodwood. It has the **nearest train station**, and on event days the official **shuttle bus runs from Chichester station to the event from 07:00 to 20:00**. It's a paid service, and Goodwood hasn't published the 2027 fare yet. If you arrive by local bus, get off at Chichester bus station, right next to the train station. Taxis drop off and pick up at **Gate 1**.
For most visitors who want a proper room, a restaurant in the evening and no car, this is the base. Book early: it's the nearest town with a station, so expect it to fill first.
4. The Coast by Train: Bognor Regis, Havant, Emsworth, Portsmouth and Worthing
When Chichester is full or overpriced, look along the coastal rail line between Portsmouth and Brighton. Timetables put Emsworth about 11 minutes from Chichester by train, Havant about 15, Worthing about 32 and Portsmouth Harbour about 35. From Chichester station you take the same event shuttle. Bognor Regis is on a short branch line, so check whether your train needs a change at Barnham. Whichever town you pick, check the first trains of the morning before you book.
- **Bognor Regis:** seaside town just south-east of Chichester. [Agoda: Bognor Regis](https://www.agoda.com/partners/partnersearch.aspx?cid=1961797&city=68619)
- **Emsworth and Havant:** quiet towns west of Chichester, on the line to Portsmouth. [Agoda: Emsworth](https://www.agoda.com/partners/partnersearch.aspx?cid=1961797&city=69157) · [Agoda: Havant](https://www.agoda.com/partners/partnersearch.aspx?cid=1961797&city=130233)
- **Portsmouth:** the biggest city nearby, so the most hotels to choose from, but further out. [Agoda: Portsmouth](https://www.agoda.com/partners/partnersearch.aspx?cid=1961797&city=13413)
- **Worthing:** larger seaside town to the east. [Agoda: Worthing](https://www.agoda.com/partners/partnersearch.aspx?cid=1961797&city=15513)
5. Countryside Towns: Arundel, Midhurst and Petworth
These are small market towns around the South Downs. Midhurst and Petworth have had no railway station since 1955, so they only work if you drive in each morning. Parking at the Festival is free. Arundel is the exception: it has a station, about 20 minutes from Chichester by train.
- [Agoda: Arundel](https://www.agoda.com/partners/partnersearch.aspx?cid=1961797&city=1007)
- [Agoda: Midhurst](https://www.agoda.com/partners/partnersearch.aspx?cid=1961797&city=12214)
- [Agoda: Petworth](https://www.agoda.com/partners/partnersearch.aspx?cid=1961797&city=70882)
6. London: Fine for One Day
There are direct trains from **London Victoria** to Chichester, and from **London Waterloo** you change at Havant. Goodwood puts the journey at **about 1 hour 30 minutes**, then you add the shuttle. Goodwood's official rail partner, Train Hugger, looks for cheaper split tickets. That's a manageable day trip. For two or more days, staying locally saves you hours.
7. Which Base Is Right for You?
| Base | How you get in | Car needed? | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Campsite H or E | Free campsite shuttle | Arrive by car or RV, then leave it on your pitch | Groups of up to four, full-weekend fans |
| Goodwood Hotel or estate cottages | On the estate | No | Comfort, bigger budget |
| Chichester | Official shuttle from the station, 07:00 to 20:00 (paid) | No | Most hotel guests, train travelers |
| Emsworth, Havant, Worthing | Train to Chichester (about 11 to 32 min), then the shuttle | No | Late bookers |
| Bognor Regis | Train to Chichester (check for a change at Barnham), then the shuttle | No | Late bookers who want the seaside |
| Portsmouth | Train to Chichester (about 35 min from Portsmouth Harbour), then the shuttle | No | Widest hotel choice, city evenings |
| Midhurst, Petworth | Drive in, free parking | Yes | Drivers who want a quiet village stay |
| Arundel | Train to Chichester (about 20 min), then the shuttle | No | A small-town stay without a car |
| London | Train (about 1h30 to Chichester), then the shuttle | No | Single-day visits |
8. Driving In: Free Parking, Slow Exits
Parking at the Festival is **free** and opens at **06:30**, half an hour before the gates. All parking is on grass, and you can't stay overnight in the parking areas. Goodwood asks drivers to follow the event road signs rather than GPS. There's no EV charging on site. Fans who have been report that the queues leaving at the end of the day are the worst part, and that arriving as the gates open avoids the morning jam. Big Green Coach also runs coaches to the gates from regional hubs.
9. Booking Timeline
- **From 9 November 2026:** Festival tickets on general sale. Book camping at the same time if you want it: Goodwood says every pitch sells out before the event.
- **Straight after:** the Goodwood Hotel and Chichester hotels, then the coast towns.
- **Closer to July 2027:** check Goodwood's Getting Here page for the 2027 shuttle fare and any travel changes.
10. What You Can Bring
Picnics are allowed. Each pair of guests can bring one 750ml bottle of wine or champagne or up to four beers, but no spirits, and no alcohol in the Enclosures or Paddocks. Goodwood recommends a hat, sun cream and a refillable water bottle (there are free refill points), plus light rain gear. Free foam earplugs are handed out at the entrances. No dogs except assistance dogs, and no drones. For a full gear list, see our [race weekend packing list](/collectors-gear/f1-race-weekend-packing-list-2026).
Doing Silverstone and Goodwood in one July trip? Our [Silverstone where-to-stay guide](/guides/silverstone-where-to-stay) covers the British Grand Prix, and our [US to Europe F1 trip guide](/guides/us-to-europe-f1-trip) helps with planning from North America.
Where is the best place to stay for Goodwood Festival of Speed?
Official camping on the Goodwood estate if you want to walk in. For a hotel, Chichester: it's three miles away and has the official shuttle bus from the station to the event.
When is Goodwood Festival of Speed 2027?
Thursday 15 to Sunday 18 July 2027. General ticket sales open on 9 November 2026.
Is there a shuttle bus from Chichester station to Goodwood?
Yes. A shuttle runs between Chichester train station and the event from 07:00 to 20:00 on event days. It's paid; Goodwood hasn't published the 2027 fare yet.
Can you camp at Goodwood Festival of Speed?
Yes. Campsite H is close to the Goodwood Hotel and every pitch has electric hook-up. Campsite E is next to the Motor Circuit and takes RVs. Pitches are for up to four people and sold for the whole weekend only. The family campsite isn't available in 2027.
Is parking free at Goodwood Festival of Speed?
Yes. Parking is free, on grass, and opens at 06:30. No overnight parking.
Can I do Goodwood as a day trip from London?
Yes. Trains from London Victoria (direct) or Waterloo (change at Havant) take about 1 hour 30 minutes to Chichester, then you take the shuttle.
Is there a hotel at Goodwood?
Yes, the Goodwood Hotel is on the estate, close to Campsite H. Goodwood also rents out cottages. Book them directly with Goodwood.
Can you buy Goodwood Festival of Speed tickets at the gate?
No. Entry is by advance ticket only.
Do F1 drivers go to Goodwood Festival of Speed?
Usually, yes. In 2026, current F1 drivers including Lando Norris, Kimi Antonelli, Pierre Gasly and Isack Hadjar took part. The 2027 line-up hasn't been announced.
How We Researched This Guide
Dates, ticket sale dates, camping rules, travel options and opening times come from Goodwood's official pages: [2027 dates](https://www.goodwood.com/grr/event-coverage/festival-of-speed/2027-fos-dates-revealed/), [Getting Here](https://www.goodwood.com/motorsport/festival-of-speed/getting-here), the [FAQ](https://www.goodwood.com/motorsport/festival-of-speed/plan-your-day/faqs/) and the 2026 camping guide. F1 drivers at the 2026 event are from [formula1.com](https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/article/all-the-f1-teams-and-drivers-who-will-be-in-action-at-the-2026-goodwood-festival-of-speed.5AIArrigIyP8Ys55qTJm0r). Fan tips come from motorsport forums and are presented as experience, not fact. Everything was checked on 7 November 2026. Some of Goodwood's travel pages still show 2026 details, so confirm with Goodwood before you book.