A vintage universe, classic car racing and a trip back in time.
Goodwood Motor Circuit is a car race, but it’s also a full-on performance straight out of the ’50s and ’60s: Goodwood Revival. An incredible immersive experience!! and I’m here to tell you all about it after experiencing it for the first time yesterday.
Goodwood Revival takes place every year in Chichester, West Sussex, about a 1.5-hour drive from London, and it’s one of those experiences that are almost impossible to explain because, literally, you feel like you walked through a door and landed in another era.
Three days. One entire universe
There’s a Revival Style Village, a Revival Style Stage, the Best Dressed Competition, fashion talks, vintage shopping, DJs, workshops… and yes, there are cars. Lots of them. Some of the world’s most iconic classics racing on a historic track.
But this isn’t just another car show. It’s fashion, music, food and such a perfectly staged spectacle that, once you’re here, you completely forget it’s 2026. A giant performative dream and a masterclass in experiential marketing.
The history & the why
The Goodwood Motor Circuit opened in 1948 and became one of the great stages of British motorsport until racing was suspended in the 60’s and eventually brought back decades later.
The idea behind Revival was precisely to bring that original spirit back, a journey int the ’50s and ’60s, a revival of what Goodwood was originally all about.
And it’s that vintage essence that makes the whole thing so special. The buildings, the pits, the signage, the cars, the shops… everything feels frozen in time. And, obviously, the dress code takes its inspiration from the ’40s, ’50s and ’60s.
My total look was Claudie Pierlot.
Fashion is a main character at Revival
Vintage dresses, scarves, hats, tailoring, accessories, jewelry, prints… and people who genuinely commit to the character. It’s not simply about “dressing the part.” It’s about actually stepping into the era, almost like a challenge to live the time, not just recreate the look.
Ancestry is one of the key partners behind the event and created the Best Dressed Competition, as well as a Best Dressed Photography Studio inside a ’50s-inspired lounge, with celebrity activations. I loved one of the sets they created with disco music and full-on pin-up girl energy.
There’s also an old-school pharmacy, a barber shop and Betty’s Salon, where you can get your hair done in vintage style. I also loved the Fortnum & Mason setup, offering a four-course picnic with major Bridgerton vibes.
The heart of Revival
Obviously, the heart of it all is the cars and the circuit. Cars arrive and park up almost like an exhibition, with their owners fully dressed for the occasion. There were models dating all the way back to the 1920s, including some worth more than £50 million.
Honestly, some of the most incredible vintage cars I’ve ever seen.
And then there are the cars that actually race and race for real. This year there were 15 races. One that I found particularly charming was the Settrington Cup, presented by Ralph Lauren, where children race tiny Austin J40 pedal cars.
Motorcyclists have their own space too, with a setup called “The Cave” that felt very Camden.
The “La Dolce Vita” theme
This year also brought an Italian twist, with La Dolce Vita as the theme, celebrating 100 years of Maserati and 80 years of Vespa. So British glamour met Italian glamour and honestly, the combination was perfect. I couldn’t stop looking around and taking photos.
It’s such a different, unexpected concept that goes way beyond cars. There’s vintage shopping, collectible pieces, food stalls, old-school fairground games, music, shows and even a drive-in cinema.
And yes, I absolutely had to go on the carousel!!
This year, the Duke of Richmond was also there presenting awards at the Sunday Closing Party. But just to be clear: this is an open-to-the-public event. It’s not an exclusive royal event.
Revive & Thrive
Goodwood is all about connecting our love for objects, clothing, cars and design with the idea of giving things with history a new life. It’s an invitation to play, dress up and perform for a few hours stepping into another era in the most stylish way possible. And even the hospitality spaces are completely designed around the theme.
We went to The Officers’ Club, which was styled like a post-war setting, with beds, tanks and staff staying in character the entire time. Honestly, you genuinely don’t know who is acting and who is actually working at the event.
They take the whole thing very,very seriously.
Good to know
If you’re planning to go, remember that tickets need to be purchased in advance (you can’t simply turn up and buy one at the gate). There are one-day and three-day passes, starting from £84 per person.
And if you’re already thinking about 2027… tickets are already on sale.
