Goodwood FoS

Anyone on the forum going to FoS this year? I'm going only on the Sunday, spending a weekend in the UK and planning Saturday as a sightseeing day in London.

Also, I'm looking for tips on transport from London to Goodwood and back in order to be able to see as much as possible during the day. I'm open to finding a ride to FoS and back to London too.

Well, public transport early on Sunday mornings is not good!

Nearest rail station (and coach stop) is Chichester. There is a bus service from Chichester station to the FoS, which runs from 07.00. Unusually for Britain, the bus and rail stations are adjacent!

First train out of London is the 05.47 from London Victoria to Portsmouth. Change at Havant, arrive Chichester 07.57. Then 07.05, arrive 08.56; 08.02, arrive 09.55. Always changing at Havant. And subject to the dreaded 'weekend engineering works'!

https://www.thetrain...tation/goodwood

http://ojp.nationalr...0717/1215/first

National Express Coaches' journey planner doesn't yet go up to July 2nd, but on the previous Sunday it shows a service from Victoria Coach Station to Chichester at 03.30, changing at Gatwick Airport with enough time for breakfast and arriving 07.05. Then 06.00, arriving 09.30. Same route.

http://coach.nationa...journey-search?

For trains you can buy 'walk-up' tickets on the day, although online pre-booking is usually cheaper - and the range of fares would baffle Einstein! Coach seats have to be bought in advance, either online or through an agent. You can buy them on site at Victoria, but the ticket office is only open 07.00-22.00.

Oh, and London Victoria rail station and Victoria Coach Station are not the same! Although close to each other!

And depending on where you're staying in London there might be more convenient interim stops.

I'm staying at a hotel in Chiswick. Also exploring the alternative of renting a car, but I've never driven on the left side of the road before...

Well, Chiswick isn't really convenient for either the coach or rail routes!

Driving out of London early on a Sunday won't be too bad. To make the most of your day you really need to be on site by 08.30 latest, which means leaving London at six or shortly after! Traffic will be light at that time of day. Best route from Chiswick would probably be to cut down the A306 and pick up the A3 near Putney Vale Cemetery (last resting place of Dick Seaman). From there (IIRC) it's dual carriageway all the way to the Goodwood turn-off from the A27, so more a question of watching your mirrors than worrying about what's coming towards you. Although if you feel more confident by then you could come off the A3 at Haslemere and go through Midhurst.

Alternative first part of the route would be M4/M25/A3, but that probably wouldn't be the most relaxing start to a day as it would take you past Heathrow ...

Guess there will be others from this community driving from London to FoS on the Sunday, right?

I'm staying at a hotel in Chiswick. Also exploring the alternative of renting a car, but I've never driven on the left side of the road before...

First two days I did it I had to concentrate hard, since then it's almost automatic. Entering a roundabout to the left is still a bit creepy though! Driving in traffic is easy because you just follow, driving on an empty road or exiting a petrol station are more difficult, there you really have to keep in mind to drive on the wrong side. And you will bang your hand into the door a few times trying to change gears! 

I would very much recommend hiring a car for Goodwood, it's in the middle of nowhere so that's by far the most convenient option. 

Victor,

As a FoS rookie/ newbie (2015-2016), I strongly suggest you alter your traveling plans. There is so much to see and do, that one day is simply not enough. If You can, try arriving on Saturday and leave on Sunday (I'll be glad to help you with accommodation as much as I can).

I've been completely hooked by the event since my first visit, 2 years ago.

I'm not a UK citizen and I always travel by train from London (Victoria) to Chichester (No change needed)- It is much simpler than it sound and almost always trouble free.

Last year, After visiting the 24h of Le Mans (You are doing the same this year?), I've landed in Getwick Airport, only to find out that there is an ongoing train workers strike.

We were taken on a bus for a 3 hours late evening journey to Chichester; Unless I'm very much mistaken, the train ride shouldn't take more than an hour or so (from Getwick).

There are buses from anywhere in Chichester to Goodwood (and back) and the traffic is not as bad as I've expected.

That being said, I often prefer to walk from my accommodation to the Festival grounds (about 40 minute walk).

This year, as always, I'll be landing in London on Wednesday and leaving on Monday. 

Can't wait,

Yigal.

Saturday and full weekend tickets were sold out by the time I decided to go, so Sunday-only was my only option.