Hagerty Festival of the Unexceptional

When and where

17th July 2027

7:30 am – 5 pm

Location

Grimsthorpe Castle, Grimsthorpe, Bourne PE10 0LY

Hagerty Festival of the Unexceptional

The Hagerty Festival of the Unexceptional (FOTU) returns to Grimsthorpe Castle on 17 July 2027, celebrating the everyday cars that once filled driveways and roads across the UK but are now delightful rarities in their own right. From quirky hatchbacks to beloved saloons, forgotten family favourites and cars you probably haven't thought about for years, FOTU puts the spotlight on automotive history's most marvellously mundane machines. And for 2027, there's a new way to experience FOTU...

Tickets Prices

EARLY BIRD TICKETS HAVE NOW SOLD OUT

Modern Car & Driver
Non members: £27
HDC members: £20.25
Classic & Unexceptional Car & Driver
Non members: £27
HDC members: £20.25
Passenger
Non members: £27
HDC members: £20.25
Child Passenger (under 15)
Free
Friday Night Camping
One Pitch: £75

Hagerty Drivers Club members will receive their usual 25% member discount – meaning tickets for HDC members is only £20.25!

Early Bird tickets are now sold out. Camping is charged per pitch and each pitch accommodates up to two adults and two children.

Concours de l’Ordinaire

Enjoy a display of 50 of the best FOTU cars hand-picked by our judges.

The Concours de l’Ordinaire celebrates the very best examples of the cars that defined everyday motoring – the more ordinary, the better!

Could your unexceptional machine be crowned the winner in 2027?

Enter the 2027 Concours here!

What to Expect at FOTU

A huge display of unexceptional cars from decades past
Live entertainment
Food and drinks
Family-friendly activities
The Concours de l’Ordinaire
The FOTU Forecourt
A welcoming atmosphere for enthusiasts, families and curious visitors alike
The Hagerty Drivers Club Members Area
Thousands of everyday automotive icons
Plus much more which we’ll be revealing in the run-up to the event

Hagerty Drivers Club Members Area

Normally only reserved for club members, we’re releasing a small batch of HDC Members Area access tickets to the general public.

For just £20 per person (kids free with a paying adult) you can:

Gain access to the Hagerty Drivers Club Members Area
Get a free drink of your choice from our licensed bar
Enjoy complimentary snacks
Take advantage of comfy seating when you need a break from the action

Better yet, why not join the club before the show and get 25% off tickets. Find out what you’re missing out on and take a look at Hagerty Drivers Club.

Get your tickets now

Get your tickets here

Gallery

FAQs

When is FOTU 2027?

The Hagerty Festival of the Unexceptional takes place on Saturday 17 July 2027 at Grimsthorpe Castle, Grimsthorpe, Bourne, PE10 0LY.

If my car is a prime example of an 'Unexceptional' car, can I just turn up and put my car on show in the Concours?

No, afraid not. We’d be delighted to see you and may even direct you to parking where your car will be in good company with other marvellously mundane motor cars, but you’ll need to apply for the Concours in advance like other entrants.

Enter the 2027 Concours here.

Can I bring my dog?

Dogs are welcome but the venue stipulates that they must be kept on a lead.

How much is camping?

A camping pitch costs £75.

One pitch accommodates up to two adults and two children.

What's included in the camping pitch?

Your £75 pitch includes your camping space for the night, plus access to the Friday-night FOTU experience, including:

Live music
Bar
Food
The opportunity to arrive and settle in before the main event
Early car siting at the show

Can I bring my camper van?

Yes.

Yes – a pitch is a pitch at FOTU!

If I am camping what time can I arrive on the Friday and when will I need to leave on the Saturday?

Camping is only available on the Friday

What time can campers arrive on Friday?

From 3pm – so you have plenty of time to get pitched up and sorted before the music starts!

What time do campers need to leave on Saturday?

Campers need to leave by 7pm

How much do FOTU 2027 tickets cost?

EARLY BIRD TICKETS HAVE NOW SOLD OUT

Modern Car & Driver
Non members: £27
HDC members: £20.25
Classic & Unexceptional Car & Driver
Non members: £27
HDC members: £20.25
Passenger
Non members: £27
HDC members: £20.25

Hagerty Drivers Club members receive their applicable member discount.

What cars are eligible for the Festival of the Unexceptional Concours?

If you’ve been to the Festival before, then you’ll have a pretty good idea of what we like to see, but as a general rule we’re looking for ‘unexceptional’ cars registered between 1972 and 2002.

Judges will place an emphasis on originality and ordinary, less ‘exotic’ versions of cars. We prefer Ls to SRIs, Populars to Cosworths, and Renaults to Rolls-Royces.

Judges also like to learn about the story behind the car, as this can make the difference when having to choose between a number of the same make and model. Really sell your car to us when you submit it for entry to the Concours!

To help us narrow down the dozens of entries, good photographs are also very useful in your submission – two or three clear exterior shots (front and rear three-quarter shots are always useful), plus a good, clear shot of the interior. Make sure you show off those base-spec cloth seats…