Inside Heavenly Heveningham: Britain’s Most Exclusive Car Show

Every June, Jon Hunt transforms his Grade I Listed Heveningham Hall into the backdrop for one of Britain’s finest automotive events. A stunning blend of supercar concours, aviation displays and traditional country fair, this Suffolk spectacular celebrates a decade of motoring excellence. Jeremy Taylor and Jessica Talbot-Ponsonby discover why this three-hour drive from London is worth every mile.

Here’s What It Was Like At Heveningham Concours 2026

Jeremy: Where else can you enjoy a stirring air display, sheep dog trial and exclusive car show all on the same weekend? Grade I Listed Heveningham Hall is the home of Jon Hunt, a billionaire property entrepreneur who has spent more than 30 years restoring the 18th century manor to its former glory.

Founder of estate agency Foxtons, Hunt is also passionate about cars. One of the great Ferrari collectors, his outsize man-shed is packed with automotive exotica that also includes Bugattis, Mercedes and a few Lamborghinis too.

Every June, his home and tiered, rear lawn are the backdrop for one of the highlights of the British motoring calendar. Around 50 of the world’s finest cars and motorbikes are put on display for a Concours d’Elegance, alongside vintage aircraft competing for the coveted Hanna Aviation Trophy.

Nearby Horsepower Hill is a mini Goodwood Festival of Speed, with an eclectic collection of cars racing a 1/8th of a mile on the estate’s main drive. Fastest times are clocked with a hand-held speed gun.

And while all this is going on, Heveningham’s glorious front lawn stages a traditional country fair. With a vintage Dakota aeroplane parked in front of the Palladian mansion, visitors are treated to displays of monster trucks, falconry and tractors. The annual dog show attracts all-comers.

It’s all terribly British – an American guest I spoke to was completely dumbfounded. However, this really isn’t a billionaire’s vanity project: all proceeds from the Country Fair go directly to charity. It’s staffed by a small army of volunteers and before last weekend’s event, the total raised topped £1.3 million.

A concours at a stately home isn’t a new concept but there’s something rather special about Heveningham. For a start, it’s well off the beaten track and is a good three hours’ drive from London. And unlike Goodwood, it’s not quite so overwhelmed with visitors.

Suffolk was the hottest place in the country last Saturday, which had guests seeking shade under Heveningham oak trees, many of which would have been planted under the eye of 18th century parkland designer, Capability Brown.

Concours judges spent much of the afternoon pondering over some exceptionally rare vehicles. Among them, a 1962 Ferrari 250 GTO owned by Pink Floyd drummer, Nick Mason. Bought with proceeds from the 1977 album Dark Side of the Moon, the coupe is regarded by some as the most valuable car in the world.

A 1988 McLaren F1 car raced by Ayrton Senna and a Bugatti Veyron that clocked 253.81mph in 2005, breaking the World’s Fastest Production Car record, were highly praised but Best in Show went to a vehicle with a truly exceptional vintage.

The 1929 Bentley Blower on display was driven by Tim Birkin, a legendary racer and one of the original Bentley Boys. A World War I fighter ace and fearless driver, the Blower also broke the lap record at Brooklands Circuit in 1931.

Jessica: There’s no car event like Heveningham. Set in blissful Suffolk countryside, it seamlessly blends a high-octane supercar and aviation show with a traditional country fair. Set across a sprawling, 5,000-acre estate, alongside the property is Hunt’s incredible Wilderness Reserve, with exclusive rental cottages and major rewilding projects.

Guests can enjoy open water swimming, endless trails and biodiversity on a grand scale. More than 1.2 million trees have been planted, with 2,000 artificial nest boxes installed; expect to see barn owls and more than 150 species of birds. A car show with a difference, Heveningham should be on everyone’s bucket list.

Discover more about Heveningham Concours at heveninghamconcours.com

Jessica Talbot-Ponsonby is Director of Programmes at London College of Fashion, studying for a PhD in sustainable e-textile design.