National Trust - Tatton Park — Attraction in Great Britain

The Classic & Retro Car Show at Tatton is nothing short of outstanding, and I can say without hesitation it deserves a full 5-star rating. I attended with my 1984 Corvette as part of the Stance Lancs Car Club, and from start to finish the day was an absolute celebration of motoring passion, history, and community spirit.

From the moment we arrived, it was clear how well organized the event was. The marshals and staff kept everything flowing smoothly, directing cars and visitors without fuss and with a friendly attitude. The layout was easy to navigate, with cars grouped into thoughtful displays, traders’ stalls placed where you could browse without disrupting the flow, and plenty of space to take in the incredible machines on show. It’s no small feat to host hundreds upon hundreds of cars in one venue and keep it enjoyable rather than overwhelming, but the organizers nailed it.

The range of cars was breathtaking. My Corvette might be from the golden 1980s era of American muscle and style, but it was parked alongside everything from beautifully restored classics to exotic high-end machines worth millions. Just walking the rows felt like taking a journey through decades of automotive history. One minute you’d be admiring the iconic lines of an Aston Martin DB5 or DB6, the next you’d be gazing at a short-wheelbase Audi Quattro that looked ready to blast down a rally stage, or the legendary Lotus Carlton that still turns heads with its sleeper-saloon presence. Then there were Ferraris gleaming in the sunshine, each one a rolling piece of art, and countless other gems tucked in between, waiting to be discovered by anyone willing to stop and look a little closer.

And it wasn’t just about the cars themselves. The showground had a real festival atmosphere. There were rows of stalls offering everything from parts, memorabilia, and detailing products, to food and refreshments for when you needed a break from the walking and talking. The food options were excellent—good variety, reasonable prices, and tasty enough to make you linger for a while before heading back out into the show.

The weather couldn’t have been better, which always helps, but even if it had been grey or damp the standard of cars and the buzz of the event would have more than made up for it. The sun just made the chrome gleam brighter and gave everything an extra shine.

On a personal note, one of the highlights was bringing Shelby the cat along. She became something of a celebrity in her own right, happily inspecting the rows of cars and, in her own way, picking out her favorites. Plenty of people stopped to say hello and it added an extra layer of fun to the day—Tatton isn’t just a car show, it’s a gathering that feels open, welcoming, and full of character, where even a cat can feel at home among the horsepower.

Looking back, what stood out most was just how much there was to see and how well the day was put together. Every corner offered something different: rare classics you rarely see outside of magazines, modern supercars that push engineering limits, and everything in between. It was clear that owners put huge effort into preparing their cars for display, and the pride shone through. For enthusiasts, casual visitors, or families looking for a great day out, this show really does deliver on every level.

If you’re even slightly into cars—whether that means you love classic British icons, retro Japanese imports, old-school American muscle, or the kind of European exotics that make you stop and stare—this show has it all. It’s a rolling museum, a social gathering, and a festival rolled into one. For me, standing with my Corvette alongside all that incredible metal, enjoying the atmosphere with friends, fellow club members, and even Shelby the cat, it was the perfect day out.

Highly recommended, brilliantly run, and well worth attending year after year. Tatton’s Classic & Retro Car Show is a must for anyone who loves cars, history,...

I took my 2 children (aged 10 and 6), and we had a lovely time. We spent 4 hours here and it was not enough! We will definitely be back to finish exploring.

The car park is £7 for all cars (even for National Trust members, as the car park is run by the council). £3.50 for disabled vehicles, and free for cyclists/pedestrians.

Entrance to the property, mansion and gardens is free for NT members, and the farm is half price. There are acres and acres of parkland with free-roaming deer, and well behaved dogs are welcome on their lead (but not in the mansion or formal gardens).

The mansion is absolutely stunning! Possibly one of the nicest National Trust buildings that we have been in. The decoration is original and elaborate, as are the furnishings. One of the rooms has the entire walls (from floor to ceiling) covered in a richly patterned silk, which also matches the curtains and the soft furnishings! I was amazed Haha. Also there are thousands of seriously old books (as a book geek, I was in heaven).

There are so many things for the children to do too, from the Victorian carousel to the children's adventure play area. There are activity trails in the mansion and in the gardens, as well as lots of open space to enjoy a game of ball. My kids were especially fascinated to learn of the railway track that still remains in the cellar, that was used my the servants as a means of transporting coal from one ond of the huge house to the other.

The gardens are extensive, from peaceful rose gardens and a Japanese garden, to the kitchen garden that is full of freshly growing fruits, vegetables and herbs. So many beautiful colours, smells and sounds!

We look forward to returning so that we can properly explore the gardens, and find our way down...

The gardens are beautiful at this property, especially the Japanese garden. It’s not all dog friendly so I would leave furry friends behind at home. Parking is easy and it has a large disabled parking area which was unfortunately full of lazy people’s cars with no badges displayed. I watched several young couples leaving their cars who were obviously in great health and not a badge to be seen. Some of the pedestrianised areas are cobbled which can make it difficult to get to the hall when it’s busy. We didn’t get to see the upstairs of the property as Waitrose had booked it for a meeting, no guesses as to why it’s such an expensive store having meetings in this type of location. The guides are knowledgable and made what we could see of the property very enjoyable. There is a used book store on site as well as a Trust gift shop and a small area selling plants. There is also a nice foodie gift shop offering some nice things. The restaurant was disappointing, offering a small menu and the baked potatoes we had were cold so we left most of them. I would recommend a picnic in the garden where it is much quieter and the scenery is nicer. The deer wander close to the road as you drive through the park so be careful and if your a passenger have a camera ready to catch these fine animals close by. There is a ten pound parking charge as you enter the grounds which is reduced to 5 pounds for disabled. There is also an old working farm on the property which you can visit if your premium bonds have come up but from past visits I’ve had it’s not that...