Why Beaulieu is about more than trade

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With September just around the corner, it’s traditionally the time to look ahead at the events lining up on the calendar. Where May and June used to be the busiest months, that role has now shifted to early September. Hampton Court, Goodwood Revival, Concours Mariënwaard and of course the Beaulieu International Autojumble: it promises to be a packed agenda once again.

Beaulieu really needs no introduction anymore. Nearly sixty years ago, on 17 September 1967, the very first edition took place. Back then it was a one-day event with 70 exhibitors and some 5,000 visitors. Today it has grown into a full weekend, with over 1,000 stands and more than 23,500 visitors.
Still, for years you hear visitors and exhibitors say how much has changed – often with a nostalgic, sometimes slightly critical tone. And truth be told, in all the years we have been coming here, we have seen those changes too. Brexit, Covid, and the way trade itself works nowadays have left their mark.

In the past, people came to Beaulieu hoping to find that one missing part for a restoration. Today, it’s usually just a few clicks and emails on websites like ours. Beaulieu no longer fills that role. What it is: a social event, a form of entertainment.

And yet, the charm remains. We still wander along the stalls, pick up parts, compare prices and hope to discover that special item. And often, we do. For some companies it’s still serious business, but for most it’s about the experience: strolling around, having a beer, catching up, buying or selling something – and going home with a good feeling.
The crowd is diverse. Entire families enjoying a day out, passionate collectors scanning every stand, buyers of complete engines and others walking off with a rocking horse. Some make their living from classic cars, others simply ‘have nothing better to do that weekend’.

The Beaulieu organisers seem to understand this shift well. They see that the focus is less on pure trade and more on the overall experience. In addition to everything the museum and its grounds have to offer – Palace House, the National Motor Museum, Top Gear World – there are also special highlights. For instance, the engine of the Sunbeam 1000HP, an iconic Land Speed Record car, will be started in public for the first time in 90 years. And there is a clear push to encourage the use of classic cars, making the museum more lively and interactive.

We are certainly looking forward to the weekend. Our stand will be in its usual place: G338/G339. We hope to see you there – maybe with a newly found part under your arm, but just as well for a chat. Because honestly, that’s what we value most.

Practical information

The gates open on Saturday 6 and Sunday 7 September at 9:30 a.m. On Friday there is already plenty going on, but that remains exclusive to exhibitors and their guests.

For food and drink there is plenty of choice: a large marquee with a spacious bar, various food trucks, and many stands offering a warm welcome. Parking is available nearby, and for convenience there is both a shuttle bus for visitors and a service to bring purchased parts back to your car.

Admission is £15 per person, children pay £11.50. This includes entry not only to the fair itself, but also to all the attractions on site such as the National Motor Museum, the large playground, Palace House and the monorail.

Text: Laurens Klein

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