London to Brighton Veteran Car Run

The London to Brighton Veteran Car Run is the world’s longest-running motoring event, celebrating the history and heritage of the automobile. This annual event, typically held on the first Sunday of November, commemorates the Emancipation Run of 1896, which marked the passing of the Locomotives on the Highway Act. This legislation raised the speed limit for “light locomotives” from 4 mph to 14 mph and abolished the need for these vehicles to be preceded by a man on foot waving a red flag.
The event is open exclusively to automobiles built before 1905, offering a unique spectacle of vintage and veteran cars making the 60-mile journey from Hyde Park in London to the seafront in Brighton. The run is not a race but a celebration and demonstration of the pioneering spirit of early motoring. It attracts entrants from all over the globe, showcasing an incredible array of pre-1905 manufactured vehicles, all of which are meticulously maintained by their owners.
Participation in the London to Brighton Veteran Car Run is a badge of honor for vintage car enthusiasts, with the event drawing hundreds of participants each year. The cars set off at dawn, passing through the beautiful British countryside and picturesque villages, before reaching the finish line on Brighton’s Madeira Drive. The journey is lined with spectators who gather to cheer on the drivers and their venerable machines, creating a festive atmosphere that celebrates the early days of automotive innovation.
The event is supported by a number of activities and displays in both London and Brighton, including a Concours d’Elegance, which takes place before the run, allowing the public to view these extraordinary vehicles up close. The Veteran Car Run is part of the Royal Automobile Club’s London Motor Week, which includes a series of motoring events, awards, and lectures, culminating in the run to Brighton.
The London to Brighton Veteran Car Run embodies the adventure, camaraderie, and challenges of early motoring. It serves not only as a moving museum of automotive history but also as an homage to the engineers, designers, and visionaries who paved the way for the modern automobile. For participants and spectators alike, the event offers a direct link to the dawn of the motor age, celebrating the enduring fascination with the automobile and its impact on society.