RM Sotheby's London to Brighton Veteran Car Run 2026

The RM Sotheby's London to Brighton Veteran Car Run takes place on Sunday 1 November 2026. The first cars leave Serpentine Road in Hyde Park at sunrise (06:56) and head for the finish on Madeira Drive in Brighton. Organised by the Royal Automobile Club, it is described as the world's longest-running motoring event. It is the finale of the club's London Motor Week.

The Run commemorates the Emancipation Run of 14 November 1896, which celebrated new laws that freed motorists from the 4mph limit and the need for a man walking ahead with a red flag. According to Autocar and Motor accounts cited by Wikipedia, 33 motorists set off from London that wet Saturday and 17 reached Brighton. Today's Run follows almost the same route each year, mostly along the old A23. 2026 marks 130 years since the original Emancipation Run.

Entry is strictly for cars built before 1 January 1905, and each needs a Veteran Car Club dating certificate or passport. Magneto reported that 384 veteran cars started the 2025 Run on 2 November and 340 reached Brighton before the 16:30 cut-off. A limited number of veteran motorcycles, tricycles and bicycles also take part. Because the cars are so slow, the event is easy to follow: tens of thousands of people line the route. Cars start arriving on Madeira Drive from around 10:00, and the slowest arrive as late as 16:30.

The surrounding week is worth planning around. The St James's Motoring Spectacle, a free display on Pall Mall, returns on Saturday 31 October. Bonhams' Golden Age of Motoring Sale, the traditional curtain-raiser, is on Friday 30 October at New Bond Street. RAC chairman Duncan Wiltshire calls the Run "one of the most cherished celebrations of motoring heritage anywhere in the world".

Spectating is free along the whole route. Public transport is the best option at both ends, as roads near the start and finish are restricted.