Shaun the Sheep and Lara Croft Land Rovers join adventure winners and unique historic vehicles at one of the UK’s largest and most exciting shows for the iconic British vehicles.
· Photo competition to win a VIP day out at the Museum for your family
· Dakar winning Defender, one of the world’s fastest, toughest off-road vehicles
· Saturday 2 & Sunday 3 May
Adventure in motorsport and films takes the spotlight at the hugely popular Gaydon Land Rover Show (May 2 & 3) hosted by the British Motor Museum. With support from Land Rover Classic and the Museum’s expert curators, the show brings together a fabulous collection of vehicles from the earliest Series 1 ‘Landie’ through Defender, Discovery and Range Rover to super-tough racers and unique builds for the movies.
“The show will be packed with vehicles and displays for knowledgeable enthusiasts, alongside exciting activities for families of all ages,” says Head of Collections, Stephen Laing.
This year’s show features an extraordinary line-up, including the Defender Dakar D7XR, fresh from making history as winner of the Stock class at the 2026 Dakar Rally, one of the world’s toughest endurance races. There will also be the Classic Defender Works V8 Islay Edition, displayed alongside the original 1965 Land Rover Series IIA ‘Wilks’ – the very vehicle built for Spencer Wilks. Adding even more heritage to the mix are the Defender Works V8 Trophy, a tribute to Land Rover’s expedition roots, and a Classic Defender Works V8 rolling chassis, offering a rare look beneath the skin to reveal what makes these vehicles an enduring legend.
In the Arena, Dave Barker will lead an enthusiastic and knowledgeable team providing live commentary, inviting selected owners, restorers and enthusiasts to share the stories behind their vehicles. Trade stands will provide Land Rover clothing, models, tools and accessories to buy while catering will provide refuelling for visitors and hundreds of club members bringing their own Land Rovers of all types and ages.
Family Day Out with Film Cars
On the hill above the arena, alongside the Museum’s adventure playground, children of all ages can explore Land Rover’s factory-built, full-size recreation of the Farmer’s car from Aardman Animation’s Shaun the Sheep (available on YouTube and BBC iPlayer). “This isn’t just a Series 1 with a sheep in the back,” explains Stephen Laing. “Aardman’s model makers created a unique vehicle in plastic, cardboard and clay, changing dimensions that required painstaking work by Land Rover’s team to bring to life.”
Also on display will be one of three Land Rover Defenders specially built for the 2001 Tomb Raider film and driven by Angelina Jolie in her role as Lara Croft. Chosen to be ‘super-tough’ so it could withstand the film’s dramatic stunts, the vehicle looks every inch a film star.
Entry to the show includes entry to the British Motor Museum, where visitors can see many other genuine movie star cars, including one of the Reliant Regal vans created for the BBC series Only Fools & Horses, one of the few surviving ‘enchanted’ Ford Anglias used to fly Harry and Ron to Hogwarts in Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone, and Lady Penelope’s Fab 1 from the 2004 Thunderbirds feature film, driven by actor Ron Cook (as Parker) with Sophia Myles as Lady Penelope.
Win a VIP visit
The Museum is offering a VIP guided tour of its collections, including a look behind the scenes, for the family posting a photograph that best encapsulates the adventure theme of the show. “Shaun the Sheep’s Land Rover will be open to sit in and on. We are looking for the most exciting, creative picture of your family, children or child with the vehicle,” says Show Manager Tom Caren. Post the pic on Facebook or Instagram with the hashtag #familiesatBMM.
Tom Caren, Show Manager at the British Motor Museum, concludes, “Whether you’ve lived and breathed Land Rover for decades or you’re simply hungry for adventure, this is your chance to get up close to the vehicles that shaped history and the pioneers who drove them. This exciting weekend brings together legendary expedition machines and modern trailblazers, each with a story forged at the limits of people and vehicles!”
Camping in the grounds is available on Friday 1 and Saturday 2 May in the evenings for those wanting to make a weekend of it in a motorhome, tent, or caravan. Camping is just £27 per pitch per night when booked in advance.
Anyone wishing to park their Land Rover as part of the show displays can do so online for just £13. This includes entry to the show for the driver and one passenger for the weekend. Additional tickets are available to purchase if extra passengers are required. Advance Show tickets cost £18 per adult, £9 per child, & £16 per concession. Choose to donate your ticket and upgrade to an Annual Pass at no extra cost!
To find out more information about the show please call 01926 895300 or click here.
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