Once you have selected and booked your preferred date, time, number of courses and bike hire choices, we will review and fully approve your Ride and Dine by email.

On the day, you will meet your Marmalade guide in the car park of the Goodwood hotel. There will be short introduction and briefing followed by the bike handover if you have rented.

You will then head out on off-road trails with your Marmalade guide for a three-hour guided ride customised to your experience level.

The circular route will return you back in time to change your clothes and freshen up, before we hand you over to the Goodwood restaurant team for your two or three course dining experience.

Please note: If you wish to order the Butcher’s Board option, you’ll need to pay a supplement for this option on the day.

After your meal, all you need to do is pay for your drinks and extra courses.

Exploring the Goodwood Estate and the South Downs

Elevate your Ride and Dine experience within the breathtaking embrace of the South Downs National Park, centered around the prestigious Goodwood Estate. Discover a hidden network of bridleways, intimately known by our Marmalade team, offering exhilarating cross-country (XC) and gravel riding.

Our carefully curated route unveils the diverse and dramatic landscapes of the estate, rewarding you with challenging ascents and thrilling descents, all while immersing you in the unparalleled beauty of the South Downs. This is more than a ride; it’s an exclusive journey through a truly special place, offering panoramic vistas and unforgettable scenery for cyclists of all abilities.

Core skills and bike hire

Get ready for an exciting introduction to off-road cycling! Our expert Marmalade guide will lead the way, offering support and guidance as you get to grips with the trails and learn how to maximize your bike’s capabilities. Newcomers will thrive, and experienced riders will appreciate the trail variety and local expertise. Bring your e-bike or manual mountain or gravel bike, or conveniently rent one by selecting ‘Extras‘ at booking.

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The estate’s flagship restaurant is a celebration of the beef, pork and lamb reared on Goodwood Home Farm. All produce is sourced from the estate or the local area, ensuring exceptional flavours and a focus on seasonality.

Aptly named, the farmer, butcher and chef sit down each week to discuss available cuts of meat, an innovative approach that ensures that nothing is wasted and you will have travelled further than your food.

Before your visit, take a look at their imaginative choice of dishes from their lunch menu.

Please note: If you wish to order the Butcher’s Board option, you’ll need to pay a supplement for this option on the day.

Location

This Ride and Dine experience is based from the Goodwood Hotel which is also home to their superb Farmer, Butcher, Chef restaurant, and this is where you’ll meet your local Marmalade guide and bikes if you’ve hired before heading out on the car-free bridleways to explore the estate.

How to get here

By train – The nearest station is Chichester which provides easy connections of just over a hour from London.

By road – From London and the south you’ll likely use the A29, A24, A27, M23 and M27.

• This ride is aimed at the novice off-road cyclist and the regular beginner mountain biker looking for a sociable and informative guided ride
• You are an active person who has the personal fitness to ride for at least 2-3 hours at a social and comfortable pace
• You will be confident in basic bike handling skills and proficient with operating your bicycle in the correct manner
• The trails will include features such as roots and loose rocks, along with small rollable drop-offs. All of which are rollable or can be ridden around
• All the trails will have options to ride around features that you do not feel comfortable riding
• You have your own suitable mountain bike (Hybrid and budget bicycles are not suitable for this ride)
  • Add electric or non-electric bike hire using the ‘Extras’ drop down menu when you book above
• The ride does contain a limited number of undulating and in places challenging climbs
• You are aged 18 and over unless accompanied by an adult also participating on this ride
• If this sounds a little beyond your current skill and fitness level, please contact us for other options

• Duration: 2-3 hours
• Distance: 10 – 25 mi | 16 – 40 km
• Ascent: 1,000 –  2,400 ft | 300 – 760 m
• Level: Advanced Beginner to Experienced
  (If you have any questions about your level, just contact us)
• Meet time: 30 minutes before your chosen booking time to allow for bike setup and ride briefing
• Meet point: Goodwood hotel car park

E-bikes or manual mountain bikes are all welcome, whether you bring your own or hire, which you can add to your reservation using the ‘Extra’s option during the booking process on this page.

If you would like to rent a mountain bike, then take a look at what’s available below.

This route is a traditional mountain bike ride. There will be fun bumpy descents, rooty forest trails and wide-open double tracks. So a hardtail or short travel full suspension mountain bike would be perfect. Big travel bikes are welcome – just be prepared for some extra effort.

This ride can be enjoyed on a conventional or electric mountain bike. If this ride is right for your level of experience and fitness, then bring your choice of machine. Marmalade rides have a friendly welcoming atmosphere, and e-bike riders who find themselves first up the hill are always patient and understanding of those relying on human-power alone.

Ensure your bike of choice is maintained and ready to ride, and please pack a spare mech hanger with your usual trail pack spares.

Mountain bikes available to hire

Electrically assisted full suspension mountain bike

Full suspension bikes have front and rear suspension.

Equipment, kit and clothing

Essentials:

• Suitable mountain bike in good working order (bikes can be hired using the ‘Extras’ drop down menu above)
• Helmet (in good condition, with no damage)
• Clothing and shoes appropriate for cycling and weather conditions on the day
• Personal choice of drink and ride snacks

Recommended:

• Gloves
• Glasses, sunglasses or eyeshields
• Backpack
• Spare inner tube (if not hiring)
• Puncture repair kit and bicycle pump (if not hiring)
• Padded cycling shorts for comfort

What’s not included

• Bike hire – this can be booked via the ‘Extras’ drop down menu above
• Personal clothing & equipment
• Overnight accommodation
• Pre, during or post activity refreshments
• Transfers to & from location
• Personal Travel and Accident Insurance

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This part of the South Downs National Park, home to the remarkable Goodwood Estate, is a destination in itself. Allowing more time to explore its beauty and embrace all it has to offer will undoubtedly elevate your visit, making your special occasion even more significant.

To compliment your Ride and Dine booking, why not extend your stay in Sussex with an overnight stay and full endulgence of the Goodwood experience.

Take a look at all the accommodation options across the estate:

• The Goodwood Hotel
• The Hound Lodge
• The Goodwood Cottages

Add extra Goodwood activities

• Track days
• Simulator sessions
• Flying lessons and helicopter flights
• Golf
• Spa treatments
• Land Rover experiences