How bad is the traffic into FoS these days?

[antspants]

I was originally thinking about 6.30 but sounds like that will be a bit late if the traffic gets very bad.

Mind you I don't want to ruin our 1st day by being knackered by the time we arrive.

Is it possible to just leave my car at Goodwood overnight and how easy is it to get cabs to and from Chichester?

[ecsrobin]

antspants said:

I was originally thinking about 6.30 but sounds like that will be a bit late if the traffic gets very bad.

Mind you I don't want to ruin our 1st day by being knackered by the time we arrive.

Is it possible to just leave my car at Goodwood overnight and how easy is it to get cabs to and from Chichester?

You’re looking at a 3 hour drive to get to FOS really anything later than 8 and you’re stuck in traffic prior to lunch.

I would not be leaving my car at Goodwood overnight, it’s frowned upon and some do it but a large event like this does attract petty crime in the car parks from the local Transit owners club.

You can get buses from the station to Goodwood on a regular basis so if you’re wanting a drink then I’d head to the hotel and leave it there. Obviously soft rinks are available is another option.

[rep1krr]

generationx said:

I always approach from the North on the A285, anticipate arriving around 7.30/8.0, then park in the carpark half way up the hill. It worked again perfectly last year and I didn't queue at all. The trick really is to arrive early and leave late, but with such a great day out why would one do otherwise?

Ian Wegg said:

The Petersfield / Harting route would normally be best (it's a great drive) but on FoS and Revival weekends the approach roads to Goodwood from Lavant are closed.
Instead, take the A272 from Petersfield to Midhurst and come down on the A286.

Thank you for the advice!

[P5BNij]

Just won a pair of tickets for Friday c/o PH, my other half entered me without telling me! Really looking forward to this as it's my first visit - is there just the one massive car park or are they dotted all over the place?

Sounds like a very early start is a good idea, which is fine by me.

[Lynchie999]

P5BNij said:

Just won a pair of tickets for Friday c/o PH, my other half entered me without telling me! Really looking forward to this as it's my first visit - is there just the one massive car park or are they dotted all over the place?

Sounds like a very early start is a good idea, which is fine by me.

Just go to the nearest one from where you approach...

[MattWMX5]

I found getting into the carpark was fine with only small delays. The biggest hold up I had last year was actually getting through the gate. There were mandatory bag searches but only one person doing the searching for everyone coming in through that gate. From parking up to getting in took almost 2 hours.

[ecsrobin]

MattWMX5 said:

I found getting into the carpark was fine with only small delays. The biggest hold up I had last year was actually getting through the gate. There were mandatory bag searches but only one person doing the searching for everyone coming in through that gate. From parking up to getting in took almost 2 hours.

The guards had been told all to be searched but it was meant to be randomised. Once they sorted that it was fine.

[court]

So basically arriving from the North go via Cocking?

[SydneyBridge]

court said:

So basically arriving from the North go via Cocking?

Thats the way i go and over the top past the horse racing course

[WJNB]

ecsrobin said:

I would not be leaving my car at Goodwood overnight, it’s frowned upon and some do it but a large event like this does attract petty crime in the car parks from the local Transit owners club.

Same goes for the breakfast meetings, rusty scruffy Transit vans & pick-ups spotted in the outside car parks whose occupants children & dogs rarely seen at the event itself. If you knew some of the areas south of Chichester you will be understand this.
Very poor security coverage especially overnight & mostly imported from our inner cities.
I suspect Goodwood couldn't care a toss.

[laup99]

Hi All,

Im going down on the Thursday. Is the traffic just as bad for the Thursday or is it a little be easier due being first day/mid week?

Thanks

[ukaskew]

The event itself is quieter but obviously being a weekday you've got non event traffic to contend with. Rush hours are pretty darn busy around Chichester.

[Luke89]

Alright chaps,

First FoS this year, bought a ticket for Sunday on a whim this morning.

I'm about an hour away in Basingstoke, best to get there before 8 do we reckon? I'm fine with an early start, my wife on the other hand...

[SydneyBridge]

Luke89 said:

Alright chaps,

First FoS this year, bought a ticket for Sunday on a whim this morning.

I'm about an hour away in Basingstoke, best to get there before 8 do we reckon? I'm fine with an early start, my wife on the other hand...

I lived in Basingstoke and always went via Alton, Petersfield, Midhurst and then over the top past singleton open air museum- this route is more fun

M3 and M27 is longer and potentially quicker but generally get stuck around Chichester

[aazer89]

Luke89 said:

Alright chaps,

First FoS this year, bought a ticket for Sunday on a whim this morning.

I'm about an hour away in Basingstoke, best to get there before 8 do we reckon? I'm fine with an early start, my wife on the other hand...

The earlier you can get there the better, I would say definitely before 8

[Luke89]

Thanks guys, helpful.

I used to work in Alton so look forward to waking the missus up on the A339!

[BricktopST205]

Always go in from the North as you get in the better car park.

[ukaskew]

Left at 5.30 this evening so pretty much peak considering commuter traffic around Chichester. Small queue to get out of car park (the one you access from the road just opposite the circuit entrance) but well organised. Went through Chichester town rather than the nightmarish A27 and was at my hotel in Fareham 35 minutes later. Never had it so easy.

[Ultrafunkula]

I left Reading this morning at 08:00 and was through the festival gate by 10:15, 10 mins queuing. Last time I went was 2009 and it was a different story, but that was on a Saturday.

[SiKkBaSs]

Leaving Gillingham Kent at 7am which should get us in there for about 10 latest with a pit stop in between for coffee.

What’s the best time to leave do you think? We’ve got a hotel nearby so just don’t want to get caught in the traffic leaving...