Goodwood Revival in Southern England and Highclere

Too ambitious especially if you never driven in the UK before.

Have you checked the Highclere website to see if they are open on your dates?
https://www.highclerecastle.co.uk/public-opening-times-and-prices

Yes, have done much of what you're asking about. I also have friends who went to Goodwood a few years ago and raved about the experience.

For lodging I can recommend the Hare and Hounds in Speen by Newbury, which is in the same town as Highclere Castle but not very near it. It's a former coaching hotel, probably dating from late 18th-early 19th century, renovated but nothing fancy. Located on the road to Bath (A4). It's conveniently near the interchange of the A34. They have a very good restaurant and the staff are very helpful.

As previous comment, you'll need to see whether Highclere is open to the public on the date when you want to tour, and if so book ASAP because it fills up quickly. Driving from Heathrow to Newbury shouldn't be too difficult; just recognize that jetlag impairs you a bit so take it slow. What I usually find most challenging is getting out of airports onto the desired highway going the desired direction, because airports tend to have multiple roundabouts with signage that is not really self-explanatory. I've learned to ask the rental car agent which signs to follow. Basically I think you'll want to get onto the M4 headed toward Reading and Bristol. If headed to the Hare and Hounds, from M4 take A34 south (opposite direction from Oxford) and exit at A4, go east toward Newbury and presto, you're there.

With 19 days, I think you can visit the destinations you have mapped out, but you will be inside the car a lot of the time. Any chance you could fly open jaw, arriving Heathrow and departing from either Glasgow or Edinburgh? If so you would save having to drive back south after the Scotland leg of your itinerary.

Hope this helps!

I'm concerned about driving out of Heathrow feeling a bit jetlagged while trying to adjust to driving.

So am I, don't do it.

Newbury isn't far from Heathrow, I'd recommend the National Express coach.

Whilst I haven't been to the Goodwood Revival it's just down the road from me. Be aware that as it's such a hugely popular event the traffic is horrendous getting to and from the event so allow plenty of time.

I also wouldn't want to drive your itinerary (and I love driving and used to driving in the UK), trains are a much more preferable option.

I have been to the Goodwood Festival of Speed, but not the Revival. It’s a great day out if it’s not raining! Many people wear period costumes for the Revival.

Please don’t drive on your first day - take the train to say Windsor then hire a car on day 2.

Highclere closes 8 September, so it looks as though you won’t be able to combine this with Goodwood, which starts 11 September, unless you want to hang around for a few days.

Return the car after the Cotswolds then take the train to York for 3 nights then take the train to Scotland. Hire a second car in Scotland and try to fly open jaw to avoid a day back tracking to London.

Goodwood House has a wonderful Afternoon Tea if you’re interested. Need to reserve. The house tour is also very enjoyable.

Thanks so much to everyone for their helpful ideas! Now that I have heard from several readers and listening to their advice, I believe that we will now fly directly to Edinburgh late August (maybe attend the Tattoo?) and then rent a car to tour Scotland. Return the car in Edinburgh, then take the train down to York for 2 - 3 nights, then on to London area. Hire a car there, go to Highclere, and then spend our last weekend at Goodwood. We will just have to plan a trip back to see more sights another time!

August in Edinburgh is Fringe Festival time, so you need to book your accommodation without delay, as people book a year ahead.

Any of the events at Goodwood are great. We went to the Revival last year (2019) and going to the Members Meeting this year. For the Revival we stayed in Portsmouth (Marriott) and took the train to Chichester. For the Members Meeting we are staying in an apartment in Chichester. There is a shuttle to Goodwood from the train station. The weather for the Revival was glorious and there were crowds, but we were in the members enclosure and grandstand. We did dress in period costume, making the weekend all the more fun. There are shops in Chichester that sell period stuff (Red Cross, etc). After Goodwood we took the train to Penzance. Cornwall is another great area of the UK. We no longer rent cars in the UK (or Europe) because the train systems are so convenient and not that expensive, especially if you reserve online, ahead of time. To the UK we always take the morning flight from Boston, no jet lag and we get in ready to go.

Thanks for the input on Goodwood! It's very helpful to hear from people who have been there as to what to expect. We have rented an Airbnb for the time we are there that is located in Chicester, and our place is about 15 minutes away by car on a normal day, so I imagine it will be twice that for the days of the Revival. We were thinking about getting the Barracks package for Sunday, and the Roving Grandstand for Saturday. I think Friday we will just get an admission ticket (trying to budget a bit here!).
Is Uber and Lyft as common in GB as it is here in the States? Thanks again for everyone's ideas. They have been very helpful!

Uber is, don’t know about Lyft.

Yes, Uber is available in Chichester but not Lyft. I wouldn't rely on Uber around the Revival period as I suspect the price surging will be through the roof, better to book via a local company such as https://chichester-taxis.co.uk/en/.

I don't know where your Airbnb is located but if you can get to Goodwood via the back roads and avoiding the A27 you might find your journey a bit easier.

Lyft doesn't operate in the UK (AFAIK).