This year’s Kop Hill Festival is being held over the weekend of the 20th-21st September. Unfortunately, due to prior commitments, there will only be a Club Stand on the Saturday this year. For those of you who do not know the history, today’s Kop Hill 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 for good causes! The main focus of the event is the hill climb itself, and cars are invited to “Run the Hill” in three different classes, 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 originally started by motorcyclists, this event is also very popular with lovers of two- and three-wheel machines both young and old, who take to the Hill on an incredible variety of machines.
The Festival is very much a family affair, with many entertainments for the young and the young at heart. 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 in the Paddock will cost you £30- for Saturday, if you wish to attend both days a weekend ticket will set you back £45-. 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 interpret these conditions as liberally as possible, but it’s the organisers who police this condition 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.
Dogs are allowed but must be kept on a short leash. Children are, of course, very welcome. As an additional bonus there is usually a fly past by Vintage (Second World War era) 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 heritage motoring event in the glorious Chiltern Hills.
It’s all for Charity, and I guarantee you’ll have a great day out!
Time of event
9:00am to 4:00pm
Date(s) of event
20 September 2025 to 20 September 2025
Location
Postcode: HP27 0LA
The event is held in an open field. To get the most out of this event a good level of mobility is recommended. Kop Hill attempts to facilitate wheelchair users and has provided a disabled viewing area right by the start line. Space is limited, so one carer can be permitted with each wheelchair or mobility scooter. The Grandstands and Viewing Carriers are unfortunately not accessible to wheel chair users. Disabled Spectators should make themselves known to the Parking Stewards, they will be directed to a reserved parking area. There are toilets for the disabled. One in the spectator field with the toilet block near the foot of Kop Hill, the other in the paddock adjacent to the stage and food area. Both have baby changing facilities.
Allowed on a lead
Current membership is a requirement for this event
Tickets are booked on a per vehicle basis
Want to come to this event? > Click here to login or join the club
