THE GOODWOOD REVIVAL 2016, WEST SUSSEX, ENGLAND, WITH VEUVE CLICQUOT
So now you have read how we arrived in style. Click here if you haven’t. The Goodwood Revival, ah that place of such happy memories. You can’t imagine such a scene unless you’ve experienced it. Caught somewhere in between a complete time warp and a movie set, if you don’t dress the part, you don’t get in.
Visitors take months to prepare their outfits, vintage shops across the UK are swarmed upon in the lead up to this weekend. With a little help in the hair and make-up salons by the paddocks you’ll feel movie-star ready. You’ll be backcombed, curled and lacquered within an inch of your life, and it’ll make you feel fabulous.
My third Goodwood, and my second anniversary with my love. It’s a special place and you can’t help but get swept up in the romanticism of the weekend. The Veuve Clicquot big topper tent is filled with jiving hipsters who dance to the ‘big band’ from 9am until dark, the paddocks are filled with the world’s most beautiful classic cars, and everyone just looks gorgeous.
The air is thick with exhaust fumes and you won’t be frowned upon if you need to wear ear plugs for most of the day. The place is just a giant whack to the senses, and you don’t need to be car crazy to have a wonderful time. Just pray the rain stays away for the sake of your up-do.
Just imagine stepping back in time, The Goodwood Revival celebrates the 40s, 50s and 60s, so take a walk and go and find the mods, or head to the motorcycles and immerse yourself in the theatre of it all.
Before you know it lunchtime has arrived. Another totally indulgent Veuve Clicquot champagne paired lunch with Sir Jackie Stewart as our guest speaker had us in fits of laughter listening to his racing stories.
Save some room for the classic English afternoon tea at 4pm.
During the afternoon it was time to watch some races and take a few turns around the paddock. My favourite race is the Settrington Cup on the Saturday. A 270 yard sprint, with a Le Mans style start in pedal power cars for the budding race car drivers.
Perhaps no older than 7 years old, these kids are just fuelled on the smarties their parents must give them pre-race. It’s an adorable sight to watch and pulls in thousands of spectators to the stands.
If you’ve never been to Goodwood before, try and go for two days if you can. There is so much to see, and every day you’ll discover another magical sight. The airfields are spectacular, and if you ask politely enough, you might even get to sit in one as Florence did.
With thanks to Maison Veuve Clicquot, Paris
September 2016