Festival of the Unexceptional

10 Reasons to Celebrate 10 Years of FOTU with Us

by Hagerty
4 March 2024 2 min read
10 Reasons to Celebrate 10 Years of FOTU with Us

The Festival of the Unexceptional marks its tenth anniversary this year and there are more reasons than ever to join thousands of mundane motoring enthusiasts at Grimsthorpe Castle in Lincolnshire on 27 July.

Take a look at what we’ve got in store and plan ahead for your unexceptional adventure.

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2022 Festival of the Unexceptional

More time to enjoy the show

We’ll be opening the gates earlier and closing them later, starting at 7.30am and finishing at 7.30pm. Early arrivers and late-stayers can expect some special surprises from the Hagerty team.

Festival signs

Easier access

Unexceptional cars will have their own entrance to speed up entry and get everyone parked up and ready to enjoy the day. We’ll be steering modern motors away from the display lawn to separate parking away from the FOTU stars.

Try our slightly mediocre quiz on the 2021 Hagerty Festival of the Unexceptional

Concours d’Ordinaire

We’re getting more entries than ever for the Concours with spaces for just 50 cars in the competition. The quality of cars being entered just gets better and better with every year, making the judges job even harder. Who will win this battle of the blands?

Festival of the Unexceptional 2022

People’s Choice

Democracy is back! In addition to the main Concours there’ll be a special award chosen by festival-goers. So make sure you check out the cars on display and vote for your favourite.

A Vauxhall Cavalier in Ferrari red at the Festival of the Unexceptional

Retro Repmobile

Another festival favourite returns in the shape of Retro Repmobile – a celebration of mile-munching company cars, with more chances to win prizes. If you’ve got a poverty-spec Peugeot 405, a Cavalier that cruised Britain’s motorways or maybe a simple Sierra then this is the place for you. Remember it’s not the Mi16s, SRis or Cossies that count, it’s those that pile up the miles in search of sales that we want to see.

Live Music & Special Guests

Get your groove on with a programme of music and live acts providing entertainment all day. There’ll also be some very special guests and activities on stage throughout the day, which will be announced soon.

festival of the Unexceptional_Judge's tip 8: A brilliant bribe could score you points_Hagerty

Fabulous food and drink

We’ve doubled the number of food trucks to keep the queues down, so whether you’re after a hearty burger, fish’n’chips or fancy a fajita you shouldn’t have to wait long. Then wash it down with lashings of ice cream or coffee to keep those FOTU energy levels up.

FOTU card game

Giveaways galore

Pay a visit to the Hagerty Lawn and you could be in with the chance of winning a new(ish) motor in our Classic Car Giveaway. You’ll also be able to buy tickets for our future events and pick up marvelous mundane merchandise.

An incredible venue

Grimsthorpe Castle is a truly spectacular setting that can trace its roots to the 13th Century. Set in 3,000 acres of perfect pastures, lakes and woodland that was artfully landscaped by Capability Brown, this stately home provides FOTU with rather exceptional surroundings.

Renault Espace Hagerty Festival of the Unexceptional

Great value

Tickets are just £35 per car, or just £7 per person for five people in an unexceptional family car. Fill every seat in an early Espace and you’ll not only get the kudos of arriving in Gallic style, but you’ll pay just £5 each. Get your tickets here!

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