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The London to Brighton Veteran Car Run commemorates the Emancipation Run of 1896, which was held to celebrate the speed limit rising from 4 to 14 mph -- abolishing the need for every car to have a man with a flag.
Strictly speaking it's not a race (100-year-old cars don't race!) but seeing as the majority of drivers are men you can bet your life that there will be plenty who try and arrive first.
Photo: veterancarrun.comFour hundred pre-1905 vehicles
There's always a wide variety of cars on show, from steam and petrol-powered machines to early electric models. You'll even see a few early motorbikes and bicycles - including the famous old Penny Farthings.
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Route through London from Hyde Park
Around 400 vehicles are expected to take part in the 60-mile drive from London to Brighton, but you'll have to get up early if you want to see them assemble in Hyde Park.
They'll start arriving from 6 AM and the first tranche will set off at sunrise (usually around 7 AM). The final runners will leave around 8.30 AM.
Photo: veterancarrun.comUnfortunately they don't allow the public into the actual paddocks where the cars are kept, but you'll be able to watch them exit from the Serpentine Road on Hyde Park Corner and drive past Wellington Arch before continuing down Constitution Hill. They will then pass Buckingham Palace and head up the Mall before crossing over Westminster Bridge by Big Ben.
Arrival time on the Brighton seafront
After passing through Surrey and Sussex the first cars arrive on Brighton's Madeira Drive around 10 AM, and will continue arriving right up to 4.30 PM (which will be in darkness by that time).
We also recommend… If you enjoy Hyde Park then you might like to visit Kensington Gardens (walk it in 16 mins or catch a tube from Marble Arch to Queensway), Regent’s Park (Marble Arch to Regents Park) and St. James’s Park (walk it in 28 mins or Marble Arch to St Jamess Park)
How to get to Hyde Park
| Fare zone | Cash | Oyster & Contactless | Travelcard | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Single fare | Single fare | Daily cap | One day | ||||
| Peak | Off-peak | Peak | Off-peak | Anytime | Off-peak | ||
| Bus (all zones) | n/a | £1.75 | £5.25 | £6 | |||
| Train (zone 1) | £7 | £2.90 | £2.80 | £8.90 | £8.90 | £16.60(zone 1-4) | £16.60(zone 1-6) |
| Train (zone 1-2) | £7 | £3.50 | £2.90 | £8.90 | £8.90 | ||
| Train (zone 1-3) | £7 | £3.80 | £3.10 | £10.50 | £10.50 | ||
| Train (zone 1-4) | £7 | £4.60 | £3.40 | £12.80 | £12.80 | ||
| Train (zone 1-5) | £7 | £5.20 | £3.60 | £15.30 | £15.30 | £23.60(zone 1-6) | |
| Train (zone 1-6) | £7 | £5.80* | £3.80* | £16.30 | £16.30 | ||
| * Journeys between zone 1 and Heathrow are always charged at the peak rate. Prices are correct as of | |||||||