On the first Sunday of November, Hyde Park in London fills with the sputter and clatter of some of the oldest cars still on the road. By sunrise they're rolling out of the capital, bound for the south coast. The London to Brighton Veteran Car Run is one of the world's longest-running motoring events, and it's free to watch from almost anywhere along the route.

The event traces its roots back to 1896, when a law raising Britain's speed limit from 4 to 14 mph prompted a celebratory drive from London to Brighton — the so-called Emancipation Run. The modern version, running since the late 1920s, recreates that trip with vehicles that must be genuinely historic: only cars built before 1905 are eligible. Around 400 of them take part each year, arriving from across the UK, Europe and further afield.

The route covers roughly 60 miles, following the old A23 corridor out through south London, past Croydon and Crawley, over the hills of Sussex and down to the seafront at Brighton Madeira Drive. There's a scheduled halt at Crawley for lunch, which is where many spectators get their closest look at the machines. There's no race to the finish — the real challenge is simply completing the course before the official cutoff in the late afternoon. Breakdowns are part of the fun; half the charm is watching a 120-year-old car steam by the roadside while its crew works a wrench.

For spectators, the practical appeal is obvious. You can catch the ceremonial start in Hyde Park in the morning, pick a village green or high street along the route, or wait at the Brighton finish for the survivors to limp in. Crowds gather at classic vantage points such as Reigate, Crawley high street and the steep climbs in the Sussex countryside, where the veteran cars grind uphill at walking pace and spectators cheer them on. Everything is viewable from public roads at no cost.

Why it matters for travellers: if you're in London or the south of England in early November, this is a one-day spectacle you won't see anywhere else — a rolling museum passing through ordinary streets. It pairs neatly with a day trip to Brighton, where you can warm up on the pier or in the Lanes once the cars have arrived. Dress warm, arrive early for good roadside spots, and check the event's official route timings before setting out, since the cars pass any given point only briefly.

Story sourced from Secret London.