Kop Hill Climb

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The Kop Hill Festival is all about fun (and raising money for good causes). The Festival is a revival of a pre-first world war hill climb event for cars and motorcycles which attracted many famous drivers and riders of the day including Malcolm Campbell, Raymond Mays, Henry Seagrave and Archibald Frazer-Nash. The event was eventually banned by the RAC in 1925 after an unfortunate accident between a motorcycle and an over enthusiastic spectator.

Today’s revival was kicked off in 2009 and is run along non-competitive lines, to showcase cars and bikes dating back to the competitive era as well as more modern cars of interest and heritage. The event run by Buckinghamshire Community Foundation (Kop Hill Climb) Limited with unpaid volunteers managing the event to raise money exclusively for local charities. To date it has raised over £1,000,000! The main focus of the event is the hill climb itself, and there are three invited categories for cars. Veteran and Vintage from 1900 to the 1930’s, post-War era vehicles up to 1980 and more modern cars that are either crowd pleasing, rare or significant or, in many cases, all three. Since the hill climb was actually started by motorcyclists, this event is also very popular with lovers of two- and three-wheel machines both young and old, on an incredible variety of machines, chain, belt and shaft driven who take to the Hill with considerable enthusiasm.

Anyone can apply to “Run the Hill” for an additional entry fee.

But the fun doesn’t end there. Every year there is a Soapbox Challenge where teams of young motoring enthusiasts take to a grass track in their home-made buggies to compete for the ‘Beaumont Cup’. For the adults there are many traders at the Festival offering vintage clothing, antiques, motoring art and memorabilia of all sorts, as well as local car dealers showing off their latest offerings. There is a funfair complete with Ferris Wheel, Chair-O-Planes and dodgems, live music throughout both days of the Festival and more fabulous mobile food kitchens than you can shake a stick at. Did I mention the fully functional bar offering local ales?

To display your car on the Club Stand will cost you £30- for one day or £45- for both days. The ticket price includes Car, Driver and 1 passenger. You will need to buy a ticket for additional passengers, either in advance or on the door. The organisers do insist that cars on the Club Stands “must be at least 25 years old and that all display vehicles be of special interest”. I tend to interpret these conditions as liberally as possible, but it’s the organisers who police this ultimately. Bookings are through the event’s own website, please click on the tab below. If you haven’t attended before you will need to register an account with your and your car’s details. If you have any difficulties with this, the organisers very efficient email helpline will put you straight: entrants-support@kophillclimb.org.uk

If you do not wish to display your car, you can attend this event as a spectator only. If you follow the link below you can book your ticket in advance at a reduced price. Dogs are allowed but must be kept on a short leash. Children are also tolerated very welcome. There is usually a fly past by Vintage Aircraft during the weekend, but this cannot be guaranteed. Cars must be on the Club Stand by 9.00am and be prepared to stay until 4pm.

Please support this fantastic motoring event in the glorious Chiltern Hills. I guarantee you’ll have a great day out!