Goodwood Festival of Speed - tips, tricks and things to avoid?

Been a while since I went, so don't know if it's improved, but the longest queue I've ever passed on a bike was when leaving Goodwood FoS. So park elsewhere & cycle in?

Been a while since I went, so don't know if it's improved, but the longest queue I've ever passed on a bike was when leaving Goodwood FoS. So park elsewhere & cycle in?

Watch out for the drunk chavs later in the day especially in the heat

There are free water taps in a few places

There is little shade so wear a hat and suncream

Don't try to avoid the traffic queues by using the local roads as some of them are singletrack and the traffic management system is there for a reason

Food and drink is expensive 

The last few years the Land Rover stand has worked pretty well for watching the Red Arrows if you are interested and they are performing 

Getting across the track is hard work so try to do everything on each side in one go that you want to see

It's huge

get there sooner than you'd think you should, like way before breakfast.

wear decent shoes, did i say it's huge?

i'd highly recommend having roaming grandstand access, you'll appreciate the seating, the shade, and the views.

it's an epic day, don't forget the rally stuff at the top, the offroading bit in the middle, you can literally spend the whole day at the bottom

If you can, use the train to Chichester and get the free bus from the station

Id agree with the above. Get there very early leave a bit early to avoid the worst of the queues. These can be huge when leaving (although we parked in a “special  car” park and got out easily).

There is so much to see from rally stage up on the hill and numerous grandstands, pits, car displays, shops etc

suncream, hat, water bottles and good comfy shoes

Thanks all. I'm considering using the shuttle bus from Chichester, presumably that has a dedicated route rather than having to sit in all the traffic trying to leave?

Or actually walking out of the circuit to parking in Chichester as it doesn't look that far.

Go early ideally by train and use the bus or if you've got the legs I think it's just about walkable from Chichester (never tried it). Aiming to get there for mid morning will see you arrive on the following Wednesday.  

Exception with the train is if it's hotter than hell when the entire surrounding rail network will likely disintegrate.  

You WILL queue for the bus at the end of the day unless you're very lucky.  

There is NO quick parking / driving option.  Tough it out, follow the signage and have a pee (or three) before you leave 😂

I go most years (a regular business development thing we host with work).  

Water points are available at regular intervals.  

Don't forget it's app ticket access only.  

You cannot realistically do it all.  Work out what you are interested in and see that.  It's a long walk up to the rally stage but I think it's no worse than the tractor taxi thing.  There's stuff to look at on the way up.  The rally bit finishes earlier on the Sunday so don't leave until last if that's your thing. 

If you leave later you can sometimes get discounted food and drink as you leave.  We had a very reasonable fish and chips and some cakes going back to the car at about 6pm once as it was into the sell it or bin it period before some of the caterers closed for the night.  

The Bus has partially dedicated routes but it'll feel like a eternity getting through Chichester itself.  This is because (1)  Chichester is miserable to drive through at the best of times and (2) people will be trying to avoid the main A27 for (mainly) non Goodwood journeys so it's even more clogged than usual. 

With regard to walking there are no pavements until the edge of Chichester and given the volume of traffic, it would not be sensible. If you have normal bikes, then you could ride and they have bike parking at the entrance from the main car park

I would try to avoid Chichester, as there are road closures for gas main replacement works. 
My suggestion would be to get a bus/taxi from Petworth/Midhurst/Fontwell to avoid trying to negotiate Chichester.

CHICHESTERCITY.GOV.UK "https://chichestercity.gov.uk/road-closures-affecting-market-avenue-and-basin-road-chichester-for-urgent-gas-main-replacement/"

Road closures affecting Market Avenue and Basin Road, Chichester for urgent gas main replacement – Chichester City Council

I would avoid coming from Midhurst as the queue for the junction in Singleton can stretch back over 2 miles due to the amount coming the other way from Petersfield. I think access from the A27 is best as it is dual carriageway until very close to the site.