Join

Thousands Expected as Ushaw’s Classic Car & Bike Show Returns with More Than 600 Vehicles

News from our houses Things to see and do

One of the North East’s biggest celebrations of classic motoring returns this summer as Ushaw Historic House, Chapels & Gardens hosts its much-loved Classic Car & Bike Show on Sunday 30 August 2026.

 

Following another successful year, the annual event is expected to attract thousands of visitors from across the region for a spectacular day featuring more than 600 classic vehicles displayed throughout Ushaw’s historic grounds.

Now firmly established as a highlight of the North East’s summer events calendar, the Ushaw Classic Car & Bike Show brings together automotive enthusiasts, families and history lovers for a unique day out where heritage meets horsepower.

Adding to the atmosphere, visitors can enjoy classic Northern Soul anthems throughout the day from Northern Soul DJs, creating the perfect soundtrack to a celebration of timeless vehicles and vintage style. With a range of food vendors and an onsite bar will also be serving a variety of food and refreshments.

Mark Nixon, Ushaw’s Visitor Experience & Event Manager, said: “I’m incredibly proud of how the Ushaw Classic Car Show has grown over the past five years. Its success is down to the passion and dedication of the car owners, whose enthusiasm for preserving and sharing these incredible vehicles is what makes the event so special. We’ve always wanted Ushaw to be a destination that attracts visitors from across the region, and it’s wonderful to see the Classic Car Show doing exactly that. “

Admission also includes access to Ushaw’s historic chapels, beautiful gardens and variety of exhibitions , giving visitors the opportunity to explore the former Catholic seminary’s remarkable architecture and rich history while enjoying one of the region’s most popular family events.

This year’s event is proudly sponsored by Workwear Express, one of the UK’s leading suppliers of personalised workwear and corporate clothing. As headline sponsor, Workwear Express will have a prominent presence throughout the event, reflecting the company’s ongoing commitment to supporting heritage, tourism and community events across the North East.

Simon Maw, Operations Director at Workwear Express, said:

“We’re thrilled to be headline sponsor of such a fantastic event right here in Durham. Ushaw is an incredible venue and the Classic Car &  Bike Show is exactly the kind of community event we love to get behind. We’re looking forward to being part of what promises to be a brilliant day out for families and motoring enthusiasts alike”.

We would also like to thank 121 Business Links for sponsoring this event. 121 Business Links deliver cost-saving services designed to enhance any business’s bottom line. Focussing on optimising expenses across utilities, card payment systems, and many other essential business bills.

Ushaw Classic Car & Bike Show is included with admission. Day tickets are available to book online (£12 adult and £7 child) or on the day (£14 adult, £8 child). There are also great-value memberships available, which include unlimited access to Ushaw for one year including a variety of events and exhibitions.

You can find out more at ushaw.org

Sign up for our newsletter

Read more of our stories, receive exclusive content, and find out what’s on.

You can unsubscribe at any time by clicking the link in the footer of our emails. For information about our privacy practices, please visit our privacy policy.

"*" indicates required fields

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Become a Historic Houses member

Explore the nation’s heritage from just £71 per year.

Hundreds of the most beautiful historic houses, castles, and gardens across Britain offer our members free entry.

Also: receive a quarterly magazine, enjoy monthly online lectures, get exclusive invitations to buy tickets for behind-the-scenes tours, and take up a range of special offers on holidays, books, and other products you might like.

Join now
Forde Abbey in Somerset