Classics on the Lawn 2026: A Free-Entry Family Day Out with Vintage Cars at Delapré Abbey

If your little ones love pointing out “old cars” every time you’re out and about, I’ve got the perfect morning out for you. Classics on the Lawn is heading back to Delapré Abbey this September, and it’s exactly the kind of low-cost, easy-going family day out that ticks a lot of boxes at once — cars to admire, grounds to explore, and a bit of Northampton history thrown in for free.

What is Classics on the Lawn?

Classics on the Lawn is Delapré Abbey’s annual classic car show, where the South Lawn fills up with an impressive display of vintage, classic and specialist vehicles for the day. It’s a lovely, relaxed event — no rushing round, just wandering the grounds, having a look at some beautiful old cars, and soaking up the surroundings of one of Northampton’s most historic sites.

When is it?

This year’s event takes place on Sunday 6th September 2026, from 10am to 3pm, at Delapré Abbey, London Road, Northampton, NN4 8AW.

Ticket prices

• Visitor entry: £2 per person
• Under-1s: free
• Exhibitor entry (if you fancy showing off your own classic car): £10 per car, plus optional extras

At £2 a head, this is a properly budget-friendly outing, and definitely one to add to the list if you’re keeping an eye on the pennies over the summer holidays.

Why it’s worth a visit

Beyond the cars themselves, Delapré Abbey’s grounds are gorgeous for a wander — plenty of space for the kids to run around, and the Walled Garden and grounds are there to explore alongside the show. If you want to make a full day of it, the Orangery Café is on-site for a coffee and a bite to eat.

If you’ve never been to Delapré Abbey before, I’d really recommend it as a family day out beyond this one event too — the Delapre Food Festival is another cracking reason to visit, and it’s a regular feature in our roundups of family events across Northamptonshire throughout the year.

Good to know

Booking is recommended ahead of the day rather than just turning up, so grab your tickets in advance to avoid disappointment.

Book your tickets for Classics on the Lawn 2026 here.

And while you’re planning your September, don’t forget to sign up to my weekly what’s on newsletter — it’s the easiest way to keep on top of everything happening across Northamptonshire without having to go hunting for it yourself. If the weather lets you down before then, my free rainy day ideas pack is always there as a backup plan.

The events listed in this guide are run by third-party organisers, and all details were correct at the time of publication, based on information from their official websites. However, changes or cancellations can happen at short notice. To avoid any disappointment, we recommend double-checking the event information on the official websites before making plans.