Some of the earliest cars still on the road will arrive on Brighton seafront on Sunday 1 November as the London to Brighton Veteran Car Run reaches Madeira Drive.
The first finishers are expected from around 10am, with arrivals continuing before the event closes at 4.30pm. Spectating is free, but visitors are asked to approach the seafront finish on foot.
At a glance
| When | Sunday 1 November 2026, arrivals from around 10am; closes 4.30pm |
|---|---|
| Where | Madeira Drive, Brighton |
| Cost | Free for spectators |
| Travel | Rail replacement buses between Brighton and Lewes |
Why the yellow Rolls-Royce is a highlight
The car pictured above is the restored 1904 Rolls-Royce, chassis 20154, announced for this year’s run. The Veteran Car Run Media Office’s September release describes it as the oldest known surviving Rolls-Royce and the only known pre-1905 example eligible for the event.
Owner Terry Bramall’s three-year restoration returned the car to its early body configuration, primrose-yellow colour and M 612 registration. It won its Antique class at the 2026 Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance before its planned return to Britain. Its first announced public appearance here is at the St James’s Motoring Spectacle in London on 31 October, followed by the Brighton run on 1 November.
That adds a specific reason to watch beyond the spectacle of unusual old cars: a machine from the first year of the Rolls-Royce partnership is expected back on the route. As with every entrant, its arrival time in Brighton is not guaranteed.
What will spectators see?
The Royal Automobile Club’s spectator information describes a field of early petrol, steam and electric vehicles, alongside veteran motorcycles and bicycles. Cars must have been manufactured before 1905 to enter.
The run commemorates the 1896 Emancipation Run. It is a test of reliability and endurance, rather than a race to Brighton, so there is no single arrival time for the whole field.
Where to watch in Brighton
The official route guide identifies Madeira Drive as the finish. Unauthorised cars and bicycles are not permitted onto the event area. Follow the stewards’ directions and leave the route clear as vehicles arrive.
Watching in Sussex before the finish
The official 2026 spectator route guide identifies roadside viewing points at Three Bridges, Handcross, Staplefield and Cuckfield. Its approximate windows include 8.25am–2.10pm near the Red Lion at Handcross, 8.30am–2.15pm around Staplefield’s Jolly Tanners and Victory Inn, and 8.50am–2.35pm on Cuckfield High Street. These broad windows describe a spread-out field, not a scheduled parade arriving together.
Madeira Drive is one of the two official paddocks where spectators can see vehicles at closer quarters from behind barriers. The run commemorates the 1896 Emancipation Run, which marked the easing of restrictions on early motoring. It is an endurance occasion, so some cars may stop or fail to finish. Choose a safe place off the carriageway, follow stewards and keep entrances and junctions clear.
Check trains before setting off
National Rail confirms engineering work on 1 November, with buses replacing trains between Brighton and Lewes. Victoria–Brighton trains are diverted via Hove, with longer journeys, and fewer trains run between Brighton and Hove.
Before you go
Allow more time for public transport
Check your outward and return journeys for Sunday 1 November. Do not rely on the normal Sunday rail timetable.
Find the venue
For more local planning information, see our Brighton and Hove family days out guide.
