If you’re a regular on the UK’s seasonal social scene you’ll know there are certain summer events that no discerning social butterfly would miss. To name a few: Royal Ascot, Glyndebourne, the Serpentine Summer Party and, of course, Goodwood’s Festival of Speed.

Held every July at the gorgeous Goodwood Estate in West Sussex, this four-day celebration of all things fast and thrilling, is about far more than just the cars on the track (although they’re pretty special too). The 2024 event will see appearances from Formula 1 stars, such as Alex Albon and Logan Sargeant, as well as Formula 1 teams including Red Bull Racing, Ferrari, Mercedes, McLaren, Alpine and Williams – each of which will take on the legendary hillclimb. There will also be a paddock dedicated to the latest supercars, air displays from the Red Arrows, the Cartier Style et Luxe concours d’elegance, and Future Lab, where you can get up close and personal with the latest cutting-edge developments in automotive tech.

Don’t have your tickets yet? We have good news and bad news. The bad news: general admission tickets are now only available for Thursday 11 July, with Friday, Saturday and Sunday tickets now sold out. The good news: entry can still be granted via hospitality packages, including the brand new Surtees Pavilion – Goodwood Festival of Speed’s stunning VIP offering.

Named for one of Britain’s most successful drivers, John Surtees, the Pavilion promises to offer the most elevated experience of any social event of the summer. Firstly, there’s the location. The Surtees Pavilion is at the heart of the Festival of Speed, promising unrivalled trackside views of the Goodwood hillclimb. Then there’s the VIP experiences. A Surtees Pavilion ticket unlocks exclusive access to driver talks, private paddock tours, interactive experiences and much more, all specially curated to your unique interests by Goodwood’s expert experiences team.

Most importantly, however, is the food. For 2024, Goodwood Festival of Speed has enlisted Ollie Dabbous, chef-patron of the Michelin-starred Hide restaurant, to create an exquisite all-day menu spanning breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea and bar snacks. Using seasonal produce, much of which has been sourced from the Goodwood Estate itself, Dabbous’ menu is a celebration of fine British flavours with something to tempt every palate.

Start your day in style with a breakfast feast featuring crab crumpets with spiced butter, avocado on toast with poached Cotswolds egg, and crispy bacon with black pudding, fried duck egg and mango chutney. Lunch, served buffet style so you can taste every delicious morsel, features highlights including monkfish and mussel potage with lemon verbena and new potatoes, spiced grilled quail with crispy grains, black truffle pasta in a warm cheese broth, and a made-to-order Sharpham Farm spelt bowl. Have a sweet tooth? A raspberry trifle with honey custard promises an upscale twist on the classic while a ripe melon sorbet with sparkling English wine offers a refreshing alternative.

Throughout the afternoon graze on bar snacks of crispy chicken with smoke paprika and oregano, focaccia with roast carrot hummus, and open sandwiches topped with Goodwood Estate organic beef and Molecomb blue cheese. Feeling really peckish? Sit down to a decadent afternoon tea complete with black truffle croque monsieur, Goodwood estate pork, apple and sage sausage rolls, scones with all the trimmings, and a selection of delicate pastries.

“Since I was a child, I have always loved cars and so by coming to cook for guests at Goodwood’s Festival of Speed, I am delighted to be combining my first passion, cooking, with what I’d like to be doing otherwise, watching (and sometimes driving!) incredible cars,” says Dabbous.

To wash everything down, mixologist Brandon Ambrose will be shaking up a range of delicious cocktails designed specifically to pair with Dabbous’ menu. Those with a taste for fruity flavours will find much to love in the Lychee Caviar: a lychee martini twist created using gin infused with botanicals from the Goodwood Estate and garnished with a fruit caviar created using a high-tech molecular mixology method. More of a whisky sour fan? The Tree Bark Smoke takes its inspiration from vintage cars and will be served from beneath a Goodwood tree bark-smoked cloche that promises both drama and a delicate balance of complex flavours.

Surtees Pavilion guests will also have access to a full bar of fine wines, beers, spirits and soft drinks while the entire day will be soundtracked by a live DJ. Want to stay tuned in to all the Festival of Speed action without leaving your chic private enclosure? An event programme and earpiece radio will also be provided so you never miss a moment.

With the launch of Surtees Pavilion, Goodwood Festival of Speed has officially cemented its place as one of the most exciting social events of the summer. So what are you waiting for? Anyone who’s anyone is going to be there.

Surtees Pavilion tickets start from £2,750 per person, visit goodwood.com to book.