Start your engines…
It’s always good to have things to look forward to and plan for, so if you a car lover, or just curious about the automotive world, it is time to start your engines… Now that we are over the halfway mark of the year, and well on our way towards Autumn, here at Swansway Motor Group we are looking ahead to the best motoring events in the UK for the rest of this year, and ones already confirmed for 2026!
Goodwood Festival of Speed: 9th - 12th July 2026
Known as the hub for all things motoring and motorsport, the Goodwood estate on the south coast, near Chichester in West Sussex, is a must-visit and the event named the festival of ‘speed,’ is a fantastic spectacle for any car lover to attend. First launched in 1993 by Lord March, this festival has been quite the phenomenon, having successful meets every year.
Classified as ‘premier,’ Goodwood’s festival of speed offers not only a unique blend of motorsport history, but with the attraction of it’s latest performing EVs, Goodwood show off the finest cutting-edge technology on offer in today’s market along with automotive culture.
A quite poignant feature of this festival is the tribute to Gordon Murray, who is celebrated for his 60-year career in automotive design. A striking sculpture showcased the Brabham BT52 and the GMA T.50. Not just Gordon Murray, also centered around its famous Hillclimb, it offers something for everyone, from vintage racers to the latest performance EVs. Tickets to go on sale to public later this year.
Festival of Unexceptional: 29th July 2026
Not all festivals or motor shows focus on the flashy and exciting new models, or sports cars, some like to take a more stylistic approach and look at true classics. Stand up the Festival of Unexceptional - primed by it’s more ordinary cars, this festival celebrates old fashioned motors. A growing event, first started in 2014 in Northamptonshire - now taking place at Grimsthorpe Castle in Lincolnshire, there is even a section of this event called ‘Concours de l’Ordinaire,’ celebrating the cleanest ‘normal’ cars that are currently around.
Exuding its concourse-style, the festival honours everyday vehicles from the 1970s through to the early 2000s - cars that are considered mundane in their day that have now become rare relics of popular culture. Created by Hagerty Insurance, the event cherishes relatable motoring history - not exotic or expensive cars, but those that evoke memories and stories, like family hatchbacks or fleet saloons.
The British Motor Show: 14th August 2026
A festival which has seen good progression and recent success, the British Motor Show is coming back again. While the official event hasn’t confirmed dates for next year’s event, it is likely to be hosted on Friday 14th August next year per many placeholders, and the event that is heavily family-focused takes place at Farnborough International in Hampshire.
One of the highlighted features for the 2026 show is the “EV Groups Nexus,” a dedicated zone inviting EV clubs from across the UK to showcase their vehicles and participate in exhibitions. This underscores the show’s growing commitment to electric mobility, marking a notable evolution in its programming.
Everything Electric South: 11th - 12th October 2025
Hosted at Farnborough International, the world’s no. 1 home energy & electric vehicle is returning to Hampshire later this year. Packed with various visitor attractions, live ‘expert’ led panel discussions, scores of companies displaying home energy products and EVs, and, of course, the largest EV test drive experience and display of EVs available on the market.
Continuing a proud tradition under the Everything Electric (formally Fully Charged LIVE) brand, known as the world’s number one home energy and electric vehicle show.
Goodwood Revival: 12th - 14th September 2025
An extraordinary celebration of historic motorsport, fashion and culture, in Chichester, West Sussex, Goodwood Revival features 15 races across 13 grids, all running on sustainable fuel with a minimum of 70% advanced sustainable components.
With Saturday tickets already sold out, limited tickets are available for the remaining two days with crowds expected to be high for one of the final motoring events of the year.
Autosport International: 2026 Date TBC
Being possibly the biggest motoring event held in the UK over a calendar year, the NEC (National Exhibition Centre) in Birmingham holds the event, witnessing car and motorsport enthusiasts from up and down the country flock to the second city to attend this festival which is classed as the ultimate visitor and trade experience. With stars and cars from all levels of motorsport, everything is on display as well as a dedicated engineering area, the show enables itself to excite time after time.
At the event, there is even a live action arena showing displays from across the world and Formula 1. Young, talented English driver Oliver Bearman, who competes for Haas F1 Team attended the event in Birmingham last time out, making it more than worthwhile for Formula 1 fans who booked tickets!
Daventry Motorfest: 9th May 2026
Based at The Hollow in Northamptonshire, Daventry’s Motorfest celebrates classic and vintage vehicles with static displays and parades, offering a family-friendly environment with plenty of food stalls and entertainment.