

The Hill Start Line is marked by bricks taken from the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.


Spectate from the chicane at the Revival to see plenty of classic cars going sideways as they exit this infamous point of our Motor Circuit.


The early Members' Meetings were held for BARC Members, there were 71 between 1949 and 1966.


After the first public race meeting in 1902, 'Glorious Goodwood' became a highlight of the summer season.




King Edward VII (who came almost every year) famously dubbed Glorious Goodwood “a garden party with racing tacked on”.




...plan strategy in an ancient woodland, enjoy award-winning dining then drive around a racetrack?


The iconic spitfire covered almost 43,000 kilometres and visited over 20 countries on its epic journey and currently resides at our Aerodrome.


Goodwood’s pigs are a mix of two rare breeds (Gloucester Old Spots and Saddlebacks) plus the Large White Boar.



A temple-folly guarded by two sphinxes, the beautiful shell house was built in 1748 with collected shells and the floor made from horse teeth.









As the private clubhouse for all of the Estate’s sporting and social members, it offers personal service and a relaxed atmosphere


FOS Favourite Mad Mike Whiddett can be caught melting tyres in his incredible collection of cars (and trucks) up the hillclimb






A bell under each place at the table to signal if butlers can come back in to the dining room, a guests privacy is always paramount.


Whoa Simon! A horse so determined and headstrong, he not only won the 1883 Goodwood Cup by 20 lengths, but couldn't be stopped and carried on running over the top of Trundle hill






Sir Stirling Moss was one of the founding patrons of the Festival of Speed, and a regular competitor at the Revival.


The inaugural BARC Members' Meeting took place at Goodwood on 13th Augurst 1949.






Over the years, the Revival has honoured legends like Jim Clark, Jack Brabham, Dan Gurney and more.




King Edward VII (who came almost every year) famously dubbed Glorious Goodwood “a garden party with racing tacked on”.


The first ever horsebox was used from Goodwood to Doncaster for the 1836 St. Leger. Elis arrived fresh and easily won his owner a £12k bet.


The first ever horsebox was used from Goodwood to Doncaster for the 1836 St. Leger. Elis arrived fresh and easily won his owner a £12k bet.










After the first public race meeting in 1902, 'Glorious Goodwood' became a highlight of the summer season.



King Edward VII turned his back on the traditional morning suit and donned a linen suit and Panama hat. Thus the Glorious Goodwood trend was born.


King Edward VII (who came almost every year) famously dubbed Glorious Goodwood “a garden party with racing tacked on”.


Leading women of business, sport, fashion and media, take part in one of the most exciting horseracing events in the world.


The Fiat S76 or "Beast of Turin" is a Goodwood favourite and can usually be heard before it is seen at #FOS


The iconic spitfire covered almost 43,000 kilometres and visited over 20 countries on its epic journey and currently resides at our Aerodrome.


The first ever round of golf played at Goodwood was in 1914 when the 6th Duke of Richmond opened the course on the Downs above Goodwood House.


The Motor Circuit was known as RAF Westhampnett, active from 1940 to 1946 as a Battle of Britain station.


A 20m woodland rue, from Halnaker to Lavant, was planted by our forestry teams & volunteers, featuring native species like oak, beech, & hornbeam






...plan strategy in an ancient woodland, enjoy award-winning dining then drive around a racetrack?


The first ever round of golf played at Goodwood was in 1914 when the 6th Duke of Richmond opened the course on the Downs above Goodwood House.


The first ever round of golf played at Goodwood was in 1914 when the 6th Duke of Richmond opened the course on the Downs above Goodwood House.


The first ever round of golf played at Goodwood was in 1914 when the 6th Duke of Richmond opened the course on the Downs above Goodwood House.


One of the greatest golfers of all time, James Braid designed Goodwood’s iconic Downland course, opened in 1914.







The Motor Circuit was known as RAF Westhampnett, active from 1940 to 1946 as a Battle of Britain station.


...plan strategy in an ancient woodland, enjoy award-winning dining then drive around a racetrack?


...plan strategy in an ancient woodland, enjoy award-winning dining then drive around a racetrack?



...plan strategy in an ancient woodland, enjoy award-winning dining then drive around a racetrack?



We have been host to many incredible film crews using Goodwood as a backdrop for shows like Downton Abbey, Hollywood Blockbusters like Venom: let there be Carnage and the Man from U.N.C.L.E.


David Edney, head Butler dons a morning suit "and a smile" every day and has been woking at Goodwood for over 25 years!


Built in 1787 by celebrated architect James Wyatt to house the third Duke of Richmond’s prized fox hounds, The Kennels was known as one of the most luxurious dog houses in the world!







King Edward VII (who came almost every year) famously dubbed Glorious Goodwood “a garden party with racing tacked on”.




The iconic spitfire covered almost 43,000 kilometres and visited over 20 countries on its epic journey and currently resides at our Aerodrome.









Flying training began at Goodwood in 1940 when pilots were taught operational flying techniques in Hurricanes and Spitfires.


The oldest existing rules for the game were drawn up for a match between the 2nd Duke and a neighbour


Flying training began at Goodwood in 1940 when pilots were taught operational flying techniques in Hurricanes and Spitfires.


The oldest existing rules for the game were drawn up for a match between the 2nd Duke and a neighbour






The Motor Circuit was known as RAF Westhampnett, active from 1940 to 1946 as a Battle of Britain station.


Just beyond Goodwood House along the Hillclimb, the 2nd Dukes banqueting house was also known as "one of the finest rooms in England" (George Vertue 1747).

Name:
David Edney
Position:
Head Butler
When did you start:
2nd June 1997
Where did you work before:
QE2, Wind Spirit, Renaissance Cruises
Why you love your job:
It’s a joy to work in such a beautiful house, seeing the guests faces when they enter the house for a wedding or any other event. This makes my job all worthwhile. I work alongside an amazing team of people striving to maintain the highest standards possible. I’m always looking to push the boundaries and go the extra mile to deliver an unforgettable customer experience.
Key Achievement or something you are proud of:
All the Revivals and Festival of Speed weekends are amazing weekends serving up 1600 guests on the Saturday, and training all the staff. It’s always an amazing feeling at the height of dinner seeing all the plates coming from the kitchen, seeing the guests being served a bit like at a ballet.
I organised a skills exchange which included Stanstead House, Petworth House, Blenheim, Highclere, Royal Yacht Squadron, The International Butler Academy in Holland, Buckingham Palace, The British Pullman. When it all comes together, the Goodwood Values all come through to our guests from our staff.
It’s a joy to work in such a beautiful house, seeing the guests faces when they enter the house.
David Edney
Day to day life at Goodwood
Every day is like a first day for me, each event is unique. The weddings are extra special as it brings everyone together for the most important day in their lives and it’s a privilege to a part of it. I still get goosebumps when the Bride and Groom come up the drive.
I had never announced anyone one before to speak after dinner, the first 3 people I announced were Sir Rannulf Fiennes, Sir Alan Wicker and Sir Seb Coe. Growing up I remember seeing these faces on the Telly.
A funny story was when the Bride and Groom walked back down the aisle, the shoes the Groom weas wearing, the sole had come completely off so there and then I gave him my shoes, luckily he was size 9.
Seeing the guests faces when they walk in the Ballroom for dinner is overwhelming and it’s a job to ask them to sit down sometimes, everyone is taking photos of the room set up.
A lot of our casual staff are students and start at 16, it’s great to see them go through college and university building some great life skills and character building for the future.
Sum up your role in paragraph
While at Buckingham Palace I worked with each area and learnt a lot, they had an event each day, one was afternoon tea for 9000 people in the garden, the Royal tent was for a hundred people and we washed the teapots up behind the tent afterwards ! Some of our team visited them and experienced how they worked and they came to us.
There is also an amazing team that make the magic happen, they are the planners and chefs. My colleagues Enda, Butler, David Smith, Junior Butler and our fantastic cleaner Michal all led by our amazing House Manager Shelley Hoath. Nearly 28 years and still it’s the Best Company in the world to work for, and it’s a privilege to have job here as Head Butler at Goodwood House.
Careers