The London to Brighton Veteran Car Run takes place on Sunday 1 November 2026 — and believe us, it is quite the sight! Here’s what you need to know about spectating at this historic event.
What is the London to Brighton Veteran Car Run?
The world’s-longest running motoring event — which, as its name suggests, wends its way from central London down to Brighton — started out life in 1896, as the ‘Emancipation Run’. This celebrated the Locomotives on Highways Act of that year, which scrapped the need for a person to walk in front of the car with a red flag, and raised the speed limit from 4mph to a G-force-inducing 14mph.
The car run stopped after 1903, but was revived in 1927, and has taken place most years since. Vehicles must have been built pre-1905 in order to take part, so are primitive by today’s standards — though quite beautiful to behold.
What kind of vehicles will I see?
All sorts! An incredible array of over 400 vehicles takes part including open-topped Daimlers, Benzs, Darracqs, Peugeots, Napiers… basically anything that looks vaguely like the car Mr Toad drives in The Wind in the Willows. You might also see the odd fire truck, Harrods van … even a penny farthing or two! Feast your eyes on the entry list.
What time does it start?
Vehicles gather in the paddock in Hyde Park from 6am, on Sunday 1 November 2026, and start to set off from 7am. It takes almost two hours for all of them to get going. (And invariably, some of them don’t get going at all.)
From here, the cars head southward, via either the A3 or A23. Among the London locations they pass through are Brixton, Balham, Streatham, Tooting, Mitcham, Croydon, Purley and Coulsdon. A route guide is featured in this online programme.
The participants begin to arrive in Brighton from around 10am, with the paddock closing at 4.30pm.
Should I wave as the cars go past?
That’s what it’s all about! Bear in mind, it’s early in the morning on an (often wet, windy and cold) November morning, so the people driving/riding in these open-topped vehicles — with little more than a blanket to keep them warm — need all the encouragement they can get!
With luck, you’ll get hundreds of smiles, waves and a good number of beeps too. If you’ve got kids, they’ll be in their element.
Anything else like this?
Try the London to Brighton Classic Car Run, which sets off from Brooklands Museum (which is, in fact, just outside London) early each summer, and features cars that are still pretty old but not old enough to not have roofs.
Anything else I need to know?
🚗 In 1971, Queen Elizabeth II took part in the run (she wasn’t driving, however).
🚗 If you’re looking for a fun family-friendly film to watch, try Genevieve, a lighthearted comedy from 1953, which features a lot of competitors laughing at other competitors who’ve broken down at the side of the road (We’re sure this doesn’t happen IRL.)
London to Brighton Veteran Car Run, Sunday 1 November 2026 from 6am.
