Racing Green: Hotels for Goodwood Festival of Speed

“In probably the world’s most high-octane garden party, Goodwood Park’s tranquil English landscape is ripped up by some serious horsepower cars every July. Goodwood Festival of Speed is a crucial date in the UK’s motor sport calendar, and fans have been flocking to West Sussex ever since that first famous festival hill climb in 1993. Stay at one of these five hotels for the ultimate weekend of motor sport.

Goodwood Hotel
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Get in early and book the obvious choice: the Goodwood Hotel itself. Bang in the middle of the estate, you can’t get closer to the action. And location certainly doesn’nt mean compromising on quality – the hotel epitomises English country charm. Delicious food, stylish décor and excellent hospitality ensure a perfect festival experience. Heaven forbid you attend with someone who’s not interested in cars; but if you do, there’s a spa, horse riding and plenty of other activities to keep them amused.

The Royal Oak, East Lavant
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Just 10 minutes from the estate, in a traditional Sussex village, you’ll find this charming country inn. The Royal Oak is gorgeous, and gives you a real sense of place in the thoroughly lovely Sussex countryside. It’s comfortable, cosy, and modern, and serves locally sourced and beautifully prepared food. On top of all that, it’s dead handy for the Festival of Speed, and, naturally, is geared up for festival-goers. You can choose to stay B&B or self-catering, so it’s an excellent option for a family or a group of friends.

The Dean Ale & Cider House, West Dean
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The Dean Ale & Cider House is a 10-minute drive away from Goodwood. Every festival weekend, it gets into gear with special events and a large order of champagne, as well as its guest local ales and ciders. Aside from the bar, the restaurant here makes it a bit of a foodie’s haven. Head chef Michael di Bella creates traditional fare and more unique dishes using locally sourced ingredients. Along with stylish, comfortable rooms, this makes the Dean the perfect place to spend a fun evening after a day of roaring engines.

The Old School Bed & Breakfast, Chichester
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With good transport connections from the town centre to the Goodwood motor circuit, Chichester is a good option as a base during the festival. Indeed, from the Old School Bed & Breakfast you can even walk, as the motor circuit is less than a mile away, making it one of the closest places to stay. The bed and breakfast offers en-suite rooms, full English breakfast and free WiFi throughout, while the lounge and garden are the perfect place to take a breather between bouts of high-octane fun.

East Walls Hotel, Chichester
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Right in the heart of Chichester, the East Walls Hotel is a boutique hotel close to the shops, bars and restaurants in the city centre, and a great choice if you are thinking of extending your stay either side of the festival, with regular bus connections from Chichester railway station to the motor circuit. All the boutique hotel rooms are en suite, with body contour beds, and a choice of continental or cooked breakfast served each morning in the East Room or on the terrace.

Have a look at our hotels in Chichester page for more options.”