Drive It Day 2024: 22 ways to get involved
By
| 17 Apr 2024
Drive It Day[1] returns this Sunday (21 April 2024), so expect to see a lot of classic cars out and about.
Created by the Federation of British Historic Vehicle Clubs in 2005, Drive It Day is an annual event that takes place on the Sunday nearest 23 April, to celebrate the anniversary of the 1000 Mile Trial in 1900, a UK-wide tour undertaken to prove the safety and reliability of cars.
Today, Drive It Day is used to raise awareness of the UK’s classic car movement – and here’s how you can get involved.
If funds permit, support the FBHVC and buy a charity Drive It Day plate for your classic car
First, if you can, make sure you get a Drive It Day plate, here[2]. All profits go to the NSPCC’s Childline, a UK-based charity that supports children and young people.
Then, decide if you want to join an event, organise an adventure with friends and family, or go solo.
You don’t need to attend an event to take part in Drive It Day, you can simply jump in your classic car and head to your favourite roads.
However, clubs and venues throughout the UK will be celebrating.
Presented in no particular order, here are some of the fantastic gatherings taking place on 21 April 2024.
Images: Olgun Kordal/Lizzie Pope
The ever-popular Bicester Heritage will be open on Drive It Day © Charlie B/Bicester Heritage
1. Drive It Day at Brooklands Museum
Where: Brooklands Museum, Surrey, England
Steeped in motoring history, Brooklands seems a natural choice for a Drive It Day meet-up.
Although the circuit hasn’t been used for racing since the outbreak of WW2, there’s now a fantastic museum that tells the story of this historic track.
On Sunday, you’ll be able to park your classic car next to the museum, which will be open for the Drive It Day event.
Click here for more information[3]
2. Swansea Historic Vehicle Register
Where: Pont Abraham services, near Swansea, Wales
Starting at the Pont Abraham services, just off the M4 motorway, this Drive It Day celebration will head to the Bannau Brycheiniog National Park Visitor Centre.
The group will depart at 11:30am, following a scenic route that will be revealed in a roadbook handed out to participants.
Last year, 43 classic cars took part. There’s a £5 entry fee that will be donated to the NHS.
Click here for more information[4]
3. Ulster Vauxhall Opel Classic Community Scenic Drive
Where: Lansdowne Crescent, Portrush, Northern Ireland
The Ulster Vauxhall Opel Classic Community and Northern Ireland Italian Motor Club are joining forces for this Drive It Day event – and all makes and models are welcome.
Starting in Portrush, the group will follow part of the Antrim Coast Road to Glenarm Castle.
Join the Facebook page, here[5], for more details.
Click here for more information[6]
Lots of classic car clubs are holding meets on Drive It Day © Ulster Vauxhall Opel Classic Community
4. Highland Classic Motor Club
Where: Beauly, near Inverness, Scotland
This 24-mile Drive It Day tour will explore parts of the Scottish Highlands, including Strathconon, Contin and Loch Meig.
It’s free to join, however the club will be collecting donations for local charity L’Arche Highland, and you must register on the Highland Classic Motor Club website in advance.
The club will meet at Beauly Square at 12:30pm.
Click here for more information[7]
5. April Scramble
Where: Bicester Heritage, Oxfordshire, England
This year’s second Scramble falls on Drive It Day.
The popular event welcomes a fantastic variety of classic cars to Bicester’s restored RAF site, so expect everything from pre-war Austins[8] to 2000s hot hatchbacks.
Bicester Heritage is also home to 50-plus classic-car specialists, and many of them will open their workshop doors for the Scramble in April.
Click here for more information[9]
6. The Doubly Thankful Tour by the Great British Car Journey
Where: Great British Car Journey, Derbyshire, England
Join in the Great British Car Journey’s driving tour, which will start and finish at the Derbyshire museum.
The 46-mile route will include Carsington Waters, Bradbourne and Tissington, in the Peak District.
It costs £25 to join (including a donation to the NSPCC’s Childline) and you must pre-book a space.
Entry requirements are available on the Great British Car Journey website.
Click here for more information[10]
Why not go to one of the many classic car shows taking place on Drive It Day? © Gerald Crook/Crash Box & Classic Car Club
7. Crash Box & Classic Car Club
Where: Dawlish, Devon, England
Head to Dawlish Lawn between 10am and 4pm for a Drive It Day meet organised by the Crash Box & Classic Car Club.
There’s no need to book, simply turn up in your classic car.
Between 200 and 300 classic cars are expected and the Mayor of Dawlish, Councillor Rosie Dawson, will be at the show to pick her favourite.
Click here for more information[11]
8. Cardigan Classic Car Club
Where: Parc Teifi, Pontrhydfendigaid, Wales
A 54-mile tour from Parc Teifi, Pontrhydfendigaid, to Cardigan, including a half-hour break in Rosebush.
Organised by the Cardigan Classic Car Club, Cars & Coffee West Wales and the local Morris Minor Owners’ Club, this Drive It Day event is open to all makes and models.
Make sure you’re at Parc Teifi by 11am if you want to join.
Click here for more information[12]
9. The Spring Transport Show
Where: British Commercial Vehicle Museum, Lancashire, England
Expect classic cars, ’bikes, buses, lorries and more.
The British Commercial Vehicle Museum near Preston is in a former Leyland Motors workshop.
For Drive It Day 2024, the museum will open its car park for visitors to display their vehicles.
It’s free to enter, however exhibitors must register online beforehand.
Click here for more information[13]
Drive It Day raises money for charity and promotes the classic vehicle community © Bodle Street Green Drive It Day
10. Bodle Street Green Drive It Day
Where: Bodle Street Green Village Hall, East Sussex, England
More than 200 classic cars are expected at this Drive It Day 2024 gathering in East Sussex.
They will be joined by a line-up of vintage tractors which will leave the village green for a tour of the local area between 10:15am and 1pm.
Commercial vehicles, ’bikes and more are also welcome at this event, which will be raising money for Prostate Cancer UK.
Click here for more information[14]
11. Drive It Day with the TR Register
Where: Great Northern Classics, Derbyshire, England
Expect a whole host of Triumph[15] sports cars at Great Northern Classics on 21 April.
Derby’s brand-new automotive events space opened in the city’s former Rolls-Royce[16] Heritage Centre in March.
Any classic car is welcome and there’s no need to book – unless you’re arriving in a bus or a lorry.
Pre-2000 cars get a free space in the car park, where there will be a concours event from 12pm to 1:30pm.
Click here for more information[17]
12. Microcar and Three-Wheeler Day
Where: The Crown Inn, Northumberland, England
Pint-sized classic cars will meet at this countryside pub, near Hadrian’s Wall, from 12pm on Sunday.
There’s no need to book, simply turn up on the day.
Click here for more information[18]
The classic car world is a broad church, and that’s reflected on Drive It Day © Great British Car Journey
13. Drive It Day at Bridge Classic Cars
Where: Bridge Classic Cars, Suffolk, England
This classic car dealer will open its doors from 11am-2pm for a Drive It Day celebration.
Food and drink will be available, too.
You need to register on the website in advance and affix a Drive It Day plate on your car to attend.
Click here for more information[19]
14. Tame Valley Vintage and Classic Car Club
Where: Manchester/Staffordshire, England
Starting from Aldwinians Rugby Union Football Club, near Manchester, this 39-mile tour will finish at Apedale Heritage Centre, where participants can enjoy the free museum.
Those taking part are encouraged to make a £5 donation to NSPCC’s Childline.
Click here for more information[20]
15. Castle View Windsor
Where: Castle View, Berkshire, England
If you’re out for a drive in Berkshire on Drive It Day 2024, then why not stop for coffee at Castle View retirement village.
Coffee and cake will be served and there will be a line-up of classics on display in the car park.
Come along between 10am and 2pm.
There’s no need to book, unless you’re planning to arrive as a group. In which case, call 07778 554666 to give the organisers a heads up.
Click here for more information[21]
Why not stop for a coffee on your Drive It Day adventure? © Industry & Supply Coffee Depot
16. Drive It to The Industry & Supply Coffee Depot
Where: Industry & Supply Co, Northamptonshire, England
If you’re celebrating Drive It Day 2024 in Northamptonshire, then the Industry & Supply Coffee Depot is a great place to stop for refreshments.
It’s based in the old Royal Ordnance Depot, so you can snap some cool pics in front on the historic building, too.
Click here for more information[22]
17. Dundee Museum of Transport’s 10th Birthday
Where: Dundee Museum of Transport, Dundee, Scotland
This Scottish museum has planned its birthday celebrations to coincide with Drive It Day 2024.
Entry is half price for those that arrive in a pre-1981 classic car, and museum members go free.
You can purchase tickets in advance on the website.
Click here for more information[23]
18. Transport Museum Wythall
Where: Transport Museum Wythall, Worcestershire, England
Brush up on the history of buses in the UK at this Drive It Day gathering, held at the fantastic Transport Museum Wythall (
Several classic car clubs are expected to attend, and you can join in with your vehicle from 10:30am.
Drivers get free access to the museum.
Click here for more information[25]
Classic car museums across the UK are holding Drive It Day events © Atwell-Wilson Motor Museum
19. Drive It Day at the Atwell-Wilson Motor Museum
Where: Atwell-Wilson Motor Museum, Wiltshire, England
Located between Bath and Swindon, the Atwell-Wilson Motor Museum is well worth a visit on Drive It Day.
Inside, there are lots of British classics on display, plus a mock-up of a 1930s-style workshop – the museum will be open from 11am-5pm.
Moles Mini Club, Jaguar Enthusiasts’ Club and Swanmog are among the clubs attending Sunday’s gathering.
Click here for more information[26]
20. Hampshire Midget & Sprite Club
Where: Tichborne Arms in Alresford, Hampshire, England
Meeting at the Tichborne Arms at 11am, the Hampshire Midget and Sprite Club is celebrating Drive It Day 2024 with a scenic drive to Lasham Airfield, near Alton.
If you like the sound of joining this group of classic British roadsters for a jaunt this weekend, email [email protected][27] to register your interest.
Click here for more information[28]
21. Historic Wheels Club
Where: Tugnet Ice House, Speyside, Scotland
This 100-mile tour of the local area will be the Historic Wheels Club’s first Drive It Day event.
The club has set itself the challenge of crossing every road bridge over the River Spey.
Email [email protected][29] if you’d like to join in.
The group will depart Tugnet Ice House, at the mouth of the river, at 10am.
Click here for more information[30]
22. Oundle Car Club
Where: Tap & Kitchen, Peterborough, England
Join Oundle Car Club for a relaxed cruise and classic car gathering this Drive It Day.
You can meet the club at the Tap & Kitchen restaurant at 9:45am, or it’ll be at the Exeter Arms, Barrowden, from 10:15am.
All makes and models are welcome.
Click here for more information[31]
Drive It Day is a fantastic opportunity to check out a new classic car venue © Great Northern Classics
We hope we’ve inspired you with these Drive It Day 2024 events so you get out in your classic car.
There are plenty more taking place across the UK this Sunday and you can check out the FBHVC’s full list by clicking here[32].
Enjoy more of the world’s best classic car content every month when you subscribe to C&SC – get our latest deals here[33]
Dream drives: North Coast 500[34]
European Car of the Year at 60: the best of the best[36]
Ryan Standen
Ryan Standen is Classic & Sports Car’s Editorial Assistant
References
- ^ Drive It Day (www.classicandsportscar.com)
- ^ here (www.driveitday.co.uk)
- ^ Click here for more information (www.brooklandsmuseum.com)
- ^ Click here for more information (www.shvr.wales)
- ^ here (www.facebook.com)
- ^ Click here for more information (www.driveitday.co.uk)
- ^ Click here for more information (www.highlandclassic.org.uk)
- ^ Austins (www.classicandsportscar.com)
- ^ Click here for more information (bicesterheritage.co.uk)
- ^ Click here for more information (greatbritishcarjourney.com)
- ^ Click here for more information (crashboxclub.co.uk)
- ^ Click here for more information (www.cardiganclassiccarclub.com)
- ^ Click here for more information (www.britishcommercialvehiclemuseum.com)
- ^ Click here for more information (www.bodlestreetgreenvillagehall.org.uk)
- ^ Triumph (www.classicandsportscar.com)
- ^ Rolls-Royce (www.classicandsportscar.com)
- ^ Click here for more information (www.greatnorthernclassics.co.uk)
- ^ Click here for more information (www.facebook.com)
- ^ Click here for more information (bridgeclassiccars.co.uk)
- ^ Click here for more information (www.facebook.com)
- ^ Click here for more information (castleviewwindsor.co.uk)
- ^ Click here for more information (industryandsupply.com)
- ^ Click here for more information (www.dmoft.co.uk)
- ^