The British concours scene gained an exciting new addition this weekend as the inaugural Wilton House Concours des Légendes opened its gates in the magnificent surroundings of one of Britain’s finest stately homes. Set within the spectacular parkland of Wilton House, just outside Salisbury, the event immediately established itself as something rather different from the concours we’ve become accustomed to.
The setting itself could hardly have been better. The rolling lawns of Wilton House provided a stunning backdrop for everything from Edwardian pioneers to modern supercars, with the historic house overlooking displays that celebrated more than a century of automotive achievement.
Wilton House remains the family home of William Herbert, 18th Earl of Pembroke and his family. The house has been the seat of the Earl of Pembroke since the early 16th century, when it was granted to the Herbert family by Henry VIII following the Dissolution of the Monasteries. Remarkably, it has remained in continuous family ownership for nearly 500 years.
The current Earl, William Herbert, has become well known for opening the estate to a wider audience while carefully preserving its history. Under his stewardship, Wilton House has hosted numerous film and television productions, including scenes for The Crown, Bridgerton and Pride & Prejudice.
The new Concours des Légendes is very much of personal interest for the Earl, himself a historic vehicle collector and fan. Indeed, it was his Invicta, I am told, that graced the lawns. That personal involvement is one of the reasons the event has a noticeably different feel to many established concours. Rather than hiring a venue, it feels as though visitors are being welcomed into the grounds of a lived-in historic estate whose owner shares their enthusiasm for preserving motoring history.
From the moment visitors arrived, it was obvious that this wasn’t simply about polished paintwork and perfectly detailed engine bays. Instead, the organisers have built the entire event around the stories that make these machines and the people who surround them legendary, with a perimeter of live stages where interviews and panel discussions were taking place. It created a wonderfully relaxed atmosphere, like a garden party with all your favourite cars as the decorations, that encouraged conversation as much as admiration.
One of the real highlights of the opening day was the calibre of guests appearing on the Legends Stage. Few designers have shaped modern performance cars quite like Peter Stevens, whose remarkable portfolio includes the McLaren F1, Lotus Esprit X180 and Subaru Impreza WRC. Hearing him discuss the creative process behind some of the world’s most recognisable cars was every bit as fascinating as seeing the machinery itself.
Elsewhere, visitors were treated to an absorbing Formula One discussion chaired by respected motoring journalist Simon Taylor. Rather than becoming a series of rehearsed anecdotes, the panel explored how Grand Prix racing has evolved over the decades.
That blend of cars and conversation is perhaps Wilton’s greatest strength. Throughout the day, there was always something happening beyond the concours lawns, whether it was talks by celebrated designers, drivers, and historians, displays of automotive art, demonstrations by skilled craftspeople, or owners sharing the histories behind their cherished cars. It transformed the event into something much richer than a traditional concours competition.
For Jaguar enthusiasts, there was naturally plenty to enjoy. Jaguars have always been at home in this type of setting, their combination of engineering excellence and timeless design fitting perfectly with the ethos of the event. Whether competition legends or elegant road cars, Coventry’s finest attracted constant admiration from visitors throughout the day, reminding everyone why the marque continues to occupy such a special place in Britain’s motoring story.
Highlights included JEC member Lanil De Silva’s XJ12 and a friend of the JEC, Paddy Coppinger, who interviewed him about his story with the car during the morning. Marc Gordon’s stunning low-mileage E-type was another standout, as was the XK120 formerly owned by Roy Salvadori, and the first production car D-type form when Jaguar made the model available for the public to buy.
Despite the extraordinary value and rarity of many of the exhibits, Wilton never felt overly formal. Families wandered the lawns, owners happily discussed their cars with complete strangers and enthusiasts, young and old, found themselves sharing stories over coffee while surrounded by automotive history.
For a first event, the organisers deserve enormous credit. Rather than trying to imitate established concours gatherings, they have carved out their own identity by placing heritage, craftsmanship and storytelling at the heart of the experience. In doing so, they’ve created an event that feels as much like a celebration of motoring culture as it does a concours competition.
With further celebrity guests, concours judging and more fascinating discussions still to come over the weekend, Day One suggested that Wilton House Concours des Légendes has all the ingredients to become one of the highlights of Britain’s classic motoring calendar. If today’s opening is anything to go by, this is a new event with a very bright future indeed.
A huge thank you to Lanil De Silva for inviting us and facilitating our visit with his generosity.
