2026 Wilton Legends establishes a new kind of automotive event at Wilton House

Over three days at Wilton House in Wiltshire, thousands of visitors gathered not simply to admire extraordinary machinery at the Wilton Legends, but to hear the stories behind them. More than 60 speakers, from world champions and Le Mans winners to celebrated designers, engineers, collectors and authors, helped shape a weekend that felt as much cultural festival as traditional concours.

Set against the backdrop of one of Britain’s great houses, Wilton Legends brought together conversations, literature, art and craftsmanship alongside carefully curated displays of exceptional cars, creating something refreshingly different from the increasingly familiar concours formula.

At the heart of the event were the Legends and Conversation stages, which welcomed an extraordinary line-up of guests. Richard Attwood, Valentino Balboni, Wayne Carini, Ian Callum, Marek Reichman, Frank Stephenson, Peter Stevens, Tiff Needell, Andy Green OBE and Maurice Hamilton were among those sharing stories from decades spent at the forefront of the automotive world.

One of the standout moments came when Brian Johnson and Nick Mason appeared together on stage. Their conversation, equal parts humour and reminiscence, culminated in a standing ovation from the audience. Elsewhere, discussions involving some of the industry’s most influential designers proved both fascinating and frequently hilarious, offering a rare glimpse behind the scenes of the cars that have shaped generations of enthusiasts.

If the stages formed the intellectual heart of the event, Hagerty Owners’ Stories provided much of its emotion. Around a dozen cars each day were invited to share their histories, with owners interviewed about the adventures, restorations and memories attached to their machines. Rather than focusing on perfection, the sessions celebrated the lives these cars had lived and the people who had kept them alive.

The Literary Stage offered yet another perspective, with leading authors and historians discussing subjects ranging from Formula 1 and epic overland journeys and the Camel Trophy. Bob and Joe Ives’ talk on the history of Camel Trophy proved particularly popular, while Wayne Carini’s reflections on life and collecting drew packed audiences. Visitors were able to meet the authors and have books signed throughout the weekend.

Friday evening added another dimension, with a special screening of Luca: Seeing Red. Introduced by director and writer Manish Pandey, best known for his work on Senna, the documentary explored the remarkable life and career of Luca di Montezemolo and brought cinema into the Wilton Legends experience.

Art and culture featured prominently throughout. The Artist Pavilion brought together an eclectic group of contemporary creators, among them former Formula 1 driver Stefan Johansson, photographer Rick Guest, crystal artist Stokesi and painter Anna-Louise Felstead. Their work sat comfortably within the surroundings of Wilton House itself, home to masterpieces by Van Dyck, Rembrandt, Holbein and Brueghel. It created a rare dialogue between centuries of artistic expression and modern automotive culture.

Meanwhile, the Skills & Craftsmanship area provided perhaps the most tangible link between past and present. Curated by the Heritage Skills Academy and the Association of Heritage Engineers, the displays celebrated the traditional hand skills that remain vital to preserving historic vehicles.

Visitors watched master craftsmen at work, from metal shaping and hot riveting to wheelwrighting and coachbuilding. Anthony Thompson’s remarkable Bentley YF 2186 was joined by demonstrations centred around a scratch-built one-third-scale Napier Railton and a 1909 Hotchkiss, while Rag & Bone Man, Mercian Cycles and fourth-generation wheelwright Phill Gregson highlighted the enduring importance of artisan skills. Guests were even invited to try their hand themselves, creating their own keepsakes and becoming participants rather than spectators.

Motor sport history was explored through a striking display of racing helmets curated by Joe Twyman. Featuring designs created by Mike Fairholme and worn by drivers including Alain Prost, Nigel Mansell, Damon Hill and Mika Häkkinen, the exhibition traced decades of Formula 1 and endurance racing through some of the sport’s most recognisable liveries.

Sunday brought a change of pace with the Castrol Supercar Drive-In. From anniversary Lamborghinis to modern hypercars, the gathering added another layer to the weekend.Elsewhere, Dore & Rees staged its automobilia and collector car sales, with highlights including the unique Aston Martin Bertone Jet 2+2, while the Retail Avenue and hospitality areas ensured there was plenty to discover away from the concours lawn itself.

For three days in June, Wilton House became a place where world champions, rock stars, designers, artists, authors, collectors and master craftspeople gathered around the stories that connect them all. In doing so, the inaugural Wilton Legends suggested that the true legends are not simply the cars themselves, but the people, passions and craftsmanship behind them.

David Lillywhite, Editorial Director of event organisers Hothouse Media commented: “We’re extremely happy with the way that the inaugural Wilton House Wilton Legends went. It’s not until you start to add the stories to the cars and bring in the people who’ve shaped our amazing automotive world do you realise what so many other car events have been missing over the years.

“There are improvements to be made in some areas, and we know what we’ll change for next year – but to have 75 great cars and more than 60 fascinating speakers across the stages, along with the Hagerty Car Stories area, the craft demonstrations, the Art Pavilion, the Lycetts crash helmets display, the Castrol Supercar Drive-in, the house tours and so much more, all in the perfect setting of Wilton House, made for an event that we’re immensely proud of.

“We’re hugely grateful to everyone who put their faith in this brand new event – and we can’t wait to do it all again next year!”

Wilton Legends will return to Wilton House on 18-20 June, 2027.