Volksworld Show 2026: Show Report

Could Volksworld 2026 build on the success of last year?
Absolutely.

The newer venue and open showground layout have evolved into major strengths, creating a more unified, relaxed and community‑driven event. While it may not be a glossy exhibition hall, the added space and atmosphere make this version of Volksworld arguably the best yet.

If you're still on the fence about the venue change, consider this your invitation to embrace the new era of the UK’s most loved air‑cooled VW season opener.

Heritage Parts Centre celebrated its 40th Anniversary with the 2026 motto Getting Better With Age, representing not just the brand, but the people, the cars and the entire scene.

To mark the moment, limited‑edition hoodies and T‑shirts were produced in collaboration with Cool Flo, available online for enthusiasts. The Volksworld team even surprised Heritage with birthday cakes on the stand, adding to the celebrations.

After the never-ending rain of January and February, we were certainly owed some sunshine, and the weather very much played its part in making VoWo 2026 a killer show. 

With plenty of grass to relax upon, a diverse selection of food, snacks and drinks on hand to satisfy cravings and enough enthusiasts to entice even the shyest of owners into a conversation, it was a show that made you want to stay and be a part of it, rather than rush around and shoot off. 

Camping was offered on both Friday and Saturday night, further encouraging those travelling a distance to make a weekend of it, and several of our team took the opportunity to air out their campervans for the occasion. The on-site vibe was reminiscent of the 'old days' music playing, BBQs, and camp chairs in circles, facilitating car-based chit-chat amongst friends. I personally love to walk about as the sun goes down, soak up the atmosphere and snap some moody pics in the half-light. 

The highlight of the weekend is Paul Knight's pick of the pops; the 30 or so most premium vehicles, displayed on red carpets and under the bright lights of the Jubilee Hall. There was plenty to talk about and catch the eye too - from reimagined B289 Showcars to a Rometsch Taxi, a Land Rover on a Beetle chassis, Razor Edge Ghia's to a practically perfect 1950 Resto-Cal Bug which scooped the coveted Best in Show trophy. 

We had another surprise car up our sleeve from Uncle Ray at Rayvern Hydraulics for 2026. Not quite as wild and wacky as last year, but his ratty body dropped Trekker on custom NSU split rims drew a crowd all the same. It's a vehicle we'd been involved with previously, but had sat dormant for some time. However, with our brief to create something 'usable' this time around, it was pulled out of a dusty corner furnished with hydraulics and trimmed with a beautiful burgundy leather and tweed interior too. We're looking forward to getting behind the wheel and hitting some shows over the summer in it.

A key display of the show was presented by the Aircooled Youth group, an up-and-coming club that celebrates and connects drivers and enthusiasts who are in their teens and twenties. There's long been a worry about what happens if the next generation doesn't understand and our scene fades out, but these guys are doing their best to address that. 
There were projects built with parents, other vehicles which have been in families for generations, and generally 'kids' giving it a go just as the more senior amongst us did back in the day! 

Juxtaposed with the Aircooled Youth display was a grand showing of the vehicles which are the very bedrock of the UK aircooled VW scene. With their bright colours, lairy graphics and owners who are easily old enough to be parents, if not grandparents, it's simply awesome that they have survived and been cherished to still be on the road 30 years later. Hats off to our pal Stu Betty for leading the charge in this nostalgia movement. Read more about it all on the blog here. 

A new feature for 2026 was an area set aside for projects being built on social media, and a place for the content creators who make it happen. 

Through a bit of bad luck (a broken trailer en route for Olly and a poorly child for Lewis) we were down on numbers, but we still had Dec Builds It with his T4, Harry and Kip from Cash Machine Cars with their Type 3 Fastback, Victoria and her Little Tykes car (as her Beetle is unwell) and Bryan and his body dropped G60 1303. We also used this space to debut the new look for the ex-Volksworld Race Car, which was well-received and a wonderful talking point.

We hope you enjoyed this area if you were at the show, and we are hopeful it will return bigger and better in 2027. 

Everywhere you turn, there was more to pique your interest - with plenty more steps taken than the old days at Sandown Park for sure. The swap meet barn was huge, and on ground level making it much easier for both those treasure hunting and those selling second hand parts and memorabillia. 

From the Vintage VW display with a selection of very early Beetles, through to the VW-T showcase which featured far more modern lifestyle and camping machines, the show really did have something for everyone. 

If you made it to the show, we'd love to hear your thoughts in the comments below. If you didn't go, does this make you want to get along in 2027?

We've got plenty more pictures where these came from, so stay tuned to our socials for the coming weeks, and see if we spotted your car or bus. 

Andy