The Moira Furnace Car Show is a must-visit event for car enthusiasts and families alike, offering a fantastic day out against the picturesque backdrop of the historic Moira Furnace. Held annually in the heart of the National Forest, this show brings together a diverse range of vehicles, from gleaming classics to eye-catching custom builds, creating a vibrant celebration of automotive culture.
One of the standout features of the Moira Furnace Car Show is the sheer variety of cars on display. Whether you're a fan of vintage models, muscle cars, or modern sports cars, there's something here to capture your interest. The owners are often on hand, eager to share the stories behind their prized vehicles, adding a personal touch to the experience. It's a great opportunity to get up close and appreciate the craftsmanship and care that goes into maintaining these machines.
The setting of the show is equally impressive. Moira Furnace, a beautifully preserved 19th-century iron-making blast furnace, provides a unique and atmospheric backdrop. The combination of industrial heritage and gleaming automobiles creates a contrast that’s both visually stunning and historically rich. The surrounding green space is perfect for a leisurely walk, making it an ideal spot to relax and enjoy the day.
In addition to the cars, the show features a variety of stalls and vendors, offering everything from automotive memorabilia to local crafts and delicious food. Whether you're in the mood for a hearty burger, a sweet treat, or just a cup of tea, you'll find plenty of options to satisfy your cravings.
The event is well-organized, with ample parking and friendly staff who help keep things running smoothly. There's a real sense of community, with visitors of all ages coming together to share their passion for cars. Families are particularly well catered for, with plenty of activities to keep the kids entertained, including face painting, games, and sometimes even live music.
In conclusion, the Moira Furnace Car Show is more than just a car enthusiast’s dream—it's a wonderful community event that offers something for everyone. Whether you're there to admire the cars, soak in the history, or simply enjoy a day out in a beautiful setting, this show delivers on all fronts. It's a well-rounded event that perfectly blends nostalgia, passion, and fun, making it a highlight of the local calendar. Highly...
Read moreThe furnace has a small but interesting museum, good for a 20-30 minute explore (free) and does cheap tea and coffee. You can sit outside on picnic benches by the canal. There is a small woods here with a rookery which is great in early summer. Canal boat trips run here for kids in the summer during school holidays (all week) and weekends. There is a cafe 100 yards from the furnace which is really good. From the furnace, you can do a 1.5 mile walk (go left!) along the canal to Conkers Waterside where the canal ends in a large rectangular basin. Or you can walk about 2 miles (go right!) to the other end of the canal where it ends at Donisthorpe, by the old Masons Arms Pub. There are loads of cycling options from here, it is close to Hicks Lodge cycling centre; there are also good routes along old railway lines to Measham from the Donisthorpe end of the canal and to Church Gresley, Tunnel Woods, Swainspark Woods and Albert Lake. Parking at the furnace is FREE but be careful not to get locked in the car park in the evening! There is also fishing, £5 a day i think, pay on the bank, loads of big carp in places, large pike, perch and a few years ago some guy made the papers by catching a sturgeon! Great place to spin for pike and perch on a...
Read moreThis place is awesome! I visited whilst house/puppy sitting for my old dogs. They knew exactly where they were going (their new family take them often!) as we pulled up to the clearly signposted free car park, and the excitement went into overdrive when they got out of the car 🤪
It took me right back to the Industrial Revolution (I mean History lessons, I'm midlife not hundreds of years old!) And lovely to see boat trips along the canal, to experience how it used to be.
A kiddies play area is just off the car park, so they can wear themselves out before you go for your coffee, cake and snacks at the tea room in the courtyard.
Lovely, clean, and great open space for walking. Just one of those places with a great sense of peacefulness. Thankfully, the dogs knew which paths to walk down moving away from the canal side, and which bench they usually sit at too - which caused much amusement as they pulled me over to it and plonked their bottoms down without a second thought!
A fab location and backdrop for their markets, craft fair, outdoor theatre, musical events and I would have gone in the museum if I wasn't with 2 crazy Cocker Spaniels!
Altogether, a great...
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