Vintage Weekend

Enjoy a relaxing weekend of nostalgic style: vintage cars, 50’s music & dancing, retro shopping + delicious food

Take a break from the stress of modern life and ease yourself into a relaxing weekend of nostalgic style with gorgeous vintage cars, 50’s music and dancing, retro shopping, delicious food and more. This year you can really make a day of it at the Vintage Weekend at RHS Garden Rosemoor with lots of new exhibits and features.

For the ultimate experience, set the scene and dress up for the day or find your outfit from the variety of traders in the Vintage Village in the Stream Field when you arrive. Get a rockabilly tattoo from Devon Facepainting or let stylist Rosie give your hair a retro ‘do’, free of charge, so you can capture a lasting memory with professional photographer Terry Keith between 10-12 noon. There’s even a prize for the’ best dressed’ person (or couple) to win VIP tickets to the spectacular RHS Glow illuminations during the festive season.

Once suitable styled, enjoy a stroll on the rolling lawns of the arboretum and be fascinated by the eclectic selection of classic vehicles on show – their owners will be delighted to tell you all about them. While you’re there, refresh yourself with a milkshake from Vintage Ruby’s, a delicious Hockings ice cream or a tasty treat from Fire Dining caterers.

Inspired and energised, walk back through the beautiful summer blooms via the bountiful Fruit and Vegetable Garden and to see ‘dig for victory’ displays about gardening techniques from 1946. Stop to listen to an interview of Lady Anne, the former owner of Rosemoor and eminent horticulturalist, talking about her time here.

Return to the Stream Field where you can try your hand (or should that be feet?) at 1950’s swing dancing with Neil and Kerry from ‘Step into Swingtime’ or sit back with a cocktail from Olive or Twist and enjoy live music from Fine Whines, Gemma Ruby and The Hummingbirds. Fancy a laugh? Don’t miss a classic episode of Dad’s Army performed by the Kings Nympton Players on Saturday at 13.45.

Families can lose an hour or two in the vintage playground near the Wisteria Tea Rooms and enjoy Punch and Judy shows, steam rides and retro games from 10am–4pm (you could even sneak in a cheeky cream tea!)

New for this year, come and meet a host of model making enthusiasts in our Garden Room, where you can view a huge variety of model displays, ranging from aviation to boats and automobiles.

At some point, make sure you catch a free ride on Taw and Torridge’s gorgeous green and cream 1950’s Bedford bus, providing a return shuttle service between the gardens and South Street Carpark in Great Torrington throughout the weekend.

Keep a look out too for demonstrations of the ancient art of meadow scything in the arboretum, orchard and stream field.

Book ahead online and save on entry!