Classic Cars at Hesslewood 2026 has come and gone. Our 6th event of it’s kind, and by every measure we can count so far, it was the biggest one yet. Record numbers of vehicles and visitors, and a day that raised more money than any single Hesslewood Charitable Causes Fund event before it. All in support of two different, equally vital local causes: Humber Wellbeing Hub and Humber Rescue.
It also very nearly didn’t go to plan. But more on that in a moment.
A Nervous Start
After a summer of heatwaves and drought-worthy sunshine, Sunday 16th August decided to do its own thing. The sky over Hesslewood Office Park turned grey, as our vendors and attractions were setting up. Just before the first exhibitors began rolling in, it started to rain. Not heavily, but enough to make everyone behind the scenes feel a little less sure about what the knock-on effect might be.
Six months of planning goes into this event every year. There’s always a point where you realise how much of it is simply out of your hands. The weather. What else might be happening locally that weekend. Whether people are staying local or heading away that weekend. None of it can be controlled, however much marketing and word-of-mouth you put behind an event. So, when the clouds rolled in looking nothing like the summer everyone had grown used to, the nerves crept in properly.
We needn’t have worried. The rain eased. The gates opened. The people came. And they came in greater numbers than we’ve ever seen. A steady stream of visitors flowed through all day, and the atmosphere never dipped. If anything, Classic Cars at Hesslewood 2026 felt like the best-attended event of it’s kind to date, and that’s not just our impression, it’s what stallholders, volunteers and regular visitors told us too – and the numbers seem to be backing it up.
More Display Vehicles Than Ever Rolled Through the Gates
We had our highest number of pre-booked vehicles ever this year. Once you add the exhibitors who turned up and paid on the day, the final count is coming in at around 200 cars, bikes, campers and more spread across the site.
New for Classic Cars at Hesslewood 2026, we were joined by members of the East Yorkshire Group of the National Vintage Tractor and Engine Club. They brought along vintage tractors and stationary engines – a lovely addition that gave the whole day a different flavour and gave visitors something new to wander around and admire.
This brilliant footage was captured and shared with us by RM Photogaphy, who visited with his sons. Follow their walkthrough footage, as they visit some of display areas and parkland.
We also welcomed more trade stalls than in previous years, including 5-Ways Motorcycles, who brought some genuinely special machines that had people stopping in their tracks. Alongside familiar faces returning for Classic Cars at Hesslewood 2026 and supporting the event, we had brilliant new stallholders too – among them DD3D Prints and Sublimation, who summed the day up perfectly afterwards:
“Thank you so much for having us, it was such an amazing day. Great community. Would love to be back next year.”
The 2026 Exhibitor Awards
Judging the Classic Cars at Hesslewood 2026 Exhibitor Awards is no small job. Every single car, van, and bike on display is somebody’s pride and joy, with its own story behind it, which makes picking winners genuinely difficult.
We’re enormously grateful to Steven Waite, from one of our event sponsors, who took on judging duties this year, accompanied throughout by his four-legged assistant, George. Between the two of them, they had a real task on their hands given the quality and sheer variety on display.
Here’s who took home a rosette in 2026:
- Spirit of Hesslewood – 1962 Morris Cooper, Blue
- Most Surprising Sight – 1991 Ford Fiesta 1.1 Popular Plus, White
- Best on Two Wheels – 1982 Suzuki RG 500 Mk7 Grand Prix Race Bike
- Still Got It! – Lotus Esprit, Orange
- Most Likely to Cause a Double-Take – 1963 Trojan Bubble Car, Blue
- Shiny Side Up (and the Best Bits Polished!) – 1959 Buick Invicta Convertible, White
- If These Wheels Could Talk – 1970 Ford Escort Mexico Original Rally Car, Red
Some winners were stood right by their vehicles when rosettes where being placed, and the delight on their faces said it all. Others had headed off exploring the rest of the day, finding out when Humber Wave Radio read the results out over the Tannoy. This made for a few very pleasant surprises awaited them back at their cars later.
Congratulations to all seven winners, and a huge thank you to every Classic Cars at Hesslewood 2026 exhibitor who brought their pride and joy along, whether they went home with an award or not. Their stories are what make this event what it is.
Something for Everyone
The Purple Pig Company mobile farm was welcomed back again this year. Among all the lovely animals to meet, there were some very bouncy baby goats stealing the hearts of all went across to meet them.
Owl Adventures returned for another year of birds of prey handling and displays. Anyone who saw last year’s mischievous owl in action will be glad to know it’s lost none of its cheek.
Elsewhere, what struck us most about Classic Cars at Hesslewood 2026 – as it does every year – was just how generous the vehicle owners are with their time. Visitors of every age got the chance to sit on a motorbike, peer inside a camper van, or settle into the driver’s seat of something they’d only ever seen in photos. That was all because a display vehicle owner was happy to share their passion for a moment. That openness, that willingness to chat and swap stories, is really what gives the day its atmosphere.
Humber Wave Radio joined us for the second year running, and once again made did a brilliant job playing music, interviewing stallholders and visitors throughout the day, and handling the announcements, including the Classic Cars at Hesslewood 2026 Exhibitor Awards. It’s worth remembering that Humber Wave Radio is itself a not-for-profit, entirely volunteer-run organisation, which makes their continued support of community events like ours all the more appreciated.
Spire Healthcare, one of the Classic Cars at Hesslewood 2026 event sponsors, was there offering skin checks and health advice to visitors throughout the day. As longstanding supporters of this event and it was a lovely example of a sponsor going beyond simply putting their name to the event.
Meeting the Charities We’re Supporting
Classic Cars at Hesslewood 2026 supported two causes that, on the surface are quite different, but both quietly hold communities together when it matters most.
Humber Rescue brought one of their lifeboats along, giving visitors the chance to see up close the kind of equipment their volunteer crews rely on when responding to emergencies across the Humber Estuary.
Humber Wellbeing Hub had a stall of their own. By all accounts had some genuinely meaningful conversations over the course of the day. Afterwards, they got in touch to say:
“It was a great event. Thank you to everyone for their support, especially all of those who took time out of their day to volunteer for the event. Everyone was so kind, we met some great people and had some much needed chats with people who are struggling! Thank you from all at Humber Wellbeing Hub.”
That, more than any figure we could quote, is exactly why this event exists.
A Day Built on Community
None of this happens without the people who turn up. The families sprawled on the grass. The car enthusiasts deep in conversation. The volunteers keeping everything running. The sponsors who back us year after year.
The feedback that’s come in since has been wonderful to read. Here are just a few of the many messages and comments that we have received:
“A superb day out, very well organised. Thank you.” ~ emtousey
“Great event, thank you to all involved in the pre-organisation of this event (takes some doing!) and all the lovely ‘meeters and greeters’ today, they were very friendly and professional, lovely car show and local stalls. Thank you again, see you next year.” ~ A Clark
“Best day ever. Well done everyone – see you next year.” ~ P Jones
What’s Next
We’re still counting. What we do know already is that Classic Cars at Hesslewood 2026 raised more money than any single event in the fund’s history – we just don’t have the final figure until after our event de-brief.
Keep an eye on our Facebook and Instagram for that update.
Our thanks go to all of this year’s sponsors – Spire Healthcare, UK Fisheries, Rainbird Hanton Accountants, Cranswick Plc, The Garage Grimsby, Seagold, PPH Commercial, Konsileo, The One Point, and Handelsbanken Hull Hesslewood – and to every volunteer, exhibitor, attraction, stallholder and visitor who made the day what it was.
Classic Cars at Hesslewood 2026 – it has been a blast. Grey skies or not. See you next time.