If Glastonbury is too big and Cornbury too posh, how about the National Trust's annual Speke Hall Vintage Festival?
A quintessentially English weekender with classic cars, vintage & handmade stalls, live music, a bar, a pop-up tea room set in the grounds of a stunning Tudor manor house on the banks of the River Mersey.
The stunning black and white timbered facade.
The interior features a mix of Tudor simplicity combined with designs from the Arts & Crafts movement including some beautiful William Morris wallpaper.
The kitchen garden and landscaped lawns are gorgeous.
The Vintage Festival in full swing.
An eclectic assortment of traders.
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| Fabulous girl group, The Bobby Pins (Hello, Gina!) |
Over 199 classic cars on display, including a very smart Rolls Royce owned by some of our regular customers from Stockport's Vintage Village.
And very civilised it is too, many visitors bring a picnic and laze around on the lawn all day.
Together with our mates, Lyndsey, Steve & Dexter of Boomerang Retro, it was our second year of trading at Speke.
Dexter's definitely the boss.
So much fun that you can hardly call it "work". The good folk of Liverpool are an absolute joy, they love to chat and adore vintage, especially of the colourful & flamboyant variety, so our stock went down a storm.
Becky looking gorgeous in a late 1960s maxi by Shubette.
We were hugely touched by several customers who'd been so happy with last year's purchases that they'd made a return trip just to come and see us.
Not only do we get to sell and chat about vintage all day long but, when the visitors leave, we get to camp in the gardens of Speke Hall and pretend that its all ours.
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| My vintage maxi (seen in full in the first photo) came all the way from the States, from blog reader Cindy who found it in a Dakota thrift shop. It was much admired! |
What a fab weekend. A massive thanks to the wonderful Alex having us back and again making us so very welcome (why didn't I take a photo?)
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| 1970s cherry blossom maxi from Bristol's fabulous Whistlestop Vintage |
We're off for a slap-up lunch in Wetherspoons. Catch you later!
Your summery maxis are perfection! I'd love to tour the interiors of this estate - William Morris's designs are a favorite. Stay fabulous as always, xox
ReplyDeleteLooks like a wonderful weekend though maybe a little chilly. The maxi dresses look lovely and summery! :)
ReplyDeleteI've always wanted to visit Speke Hall, it's on my list of National Trust properties to go to! My Mum's been I think. It looks like such a lovely little vintage festival, I'm glad you had such a wonderful time - looking fab in that cherry blossom maxi. xx
ReplyDeleteOoh, this does look fun, right up my street! The house is stunning and the roller is an absolute beauty. I really though, love that Vauxhall.
ReplyDeleteHow cute is Dexter! The expression on his face in the snap where his dad is holding him is so sweet. You look gorgeous, how pretty are your lovely dresses xxx
Well we may not have made it this year but it's definitely in the diary for next. Your blog post made up for not being there.
ReplyDeleteLove to you both xx
Hoorah - it's such a lovely place, isn't it? Glad you had good weather!
ReplyDeleteOh wow! That cherry blossom dress is truly gorgeous!
ReplyDeleteThis looks like such a fantastic place, and definitely somewhere I'd love to visit. xx
coats in July! Yesterday's heat index was 106! What a beautiful house. The dress fits that young lady like it was made for her
ReplyDeleteOnce visited Speke hall on a school trip back in the 70s, I'm just so old😹
ReplyDeleteFabulous maxi dresses :) and such a wonderful vintage fair, and in glorious surroundings.
ReplyDeleteVix, I always get so inspired by your posts!! I am still shy about posting photos of me, but getting better thanks to you. Now I'm off to find a cherry blossom maxi - love that one sooo much!
ReplyDeleteLove that kitchen garden, and would love to have seen the Morris wallpaper. xox
What a beautiful setting - perfect backdrop for your goods.
ReplyDeletethat fabulous cherry blossom 70s maxi looks weirdly familiar! I think my mother may have worn one like it... it looks great on you. What a friendly and interesting venue, the cars are brilliant.
ReplyDeletethat fabulous cherry blossom 70s maxi looks weirdly familiar! I think my mother may have worn one like it... it looks great on you. What a friendly and interesting venue, the cars are brilliant.
ReplyDeleteLooks fun, a great setting - but too far away. x
ReplyDeleteLooks like a lots of fun ! That cherry blossom dress is very pretty !
ReplyDeleteXxx
Oh I remember the Speke Hall from last year's post! Very much admired! And so is your new dress from the States - beautiful pattern, colors and flowy design. You are still the most gorgeous and groovy couple around! Have a great week, dear! xxxx
ReplyDeleteWonderful in pink.
ReplyDeleteWhat a fun summer you are having Vix.
We are roasting and sticky here RRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR
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oh my you are all soooo gorgeous. jon keeps getting better looking!
ReplyDeletethe bobby pins are so pretty...what a darling name for them too. and what a beautiful spot for a festival. happy you are getting some sun! x
I'm so glad you had a fab time! Your maxi is Margotastic!!! I love its floaty elegance! Also that turquoise 60's maxi is just beautiful!
ReplyDeleteThis is also REALLY a weird coincidence but I do believe you have photographed my musician friend Mayo sitting on the grass in glasses! She lives in Liverpool so I'm quite certain it is her!!!!!x
I was looking for pictures of Alex!!
ReplyDeleteIt is such a beautiful place and so neat you get to stay in the grounds.
Love both of your wonderful dresses...looking fab as always!
I{heart}Dexter!!
Zxx
One day when I strike it rich I'm going to festival stalk you! Heeeee!!
ReplyDeleteThat yellow maxi is amazing! It looks like the sunshine follows you to every event. Xx
ReplyDeleteBoth maxi dresses you wore are magnificently beautiful...the cherry one is so divine and unique...and the yellow one is like a ray of sunshine.
ReplyDeleteSo glad to hear this festival was both work and pleasure for you! So nice the people were chatty and interested in vintage.
oh wow what a beautiful place and speaking of beautiful you look lovely in that floaty creation! I also love the dress Becky is wearing!!!!
ReplyDeleteLove the sight of all that colorful vintage in a sunny meadow. And the dresses, of course :)
ReplyDeletehey cherry blossom! :-)
ReplyDeletesound like a wonderful weekend for all! we have to install such at one of the many castles and halls around here. but i fear that we will miss the good folks spending money for other stuff then beer and sausages. all the rumors about germans are true ;-)
hugs!
Looks amazing and you look gorgeous in your flowing maxi's. Hope you enjoyed your meal last night. dee xx
ReplyDeleteSuch a beautiful property! And all those picnic lunches & easy-breezy maxis! Summer love!! <3
ReplyDeleteWotcha, Gorgeous! You are at all the best places. I love this setting and it does look so laid back and friendly. Great to see you all together and Dexter is a gent! I also love seeing all that vintage in such fab surroundings.
ReplyDeleteLoves ya!
xxxxxxx
Stunning pictures.
ReplyDeleteKisses
BloggerSummerBox for fashion and beauty blogger
That looks fab - and genuine too, it really comes over how much people really love that event.
ReplyDeleteLooks like such a lovely place: beautiful house, all that greenery! Your both maxis are wonderful and you look fabulous in them! Love the photo of Dexter dog - what an expression!
ReplyDeleteYou always go to such amazing places and I love it!! How beautiful was that kitchen garden?? You are so living your dream, work that is like play has got to be the very best sort of job to have. England is gorgeous!!!!!
ReplyDeleteYou could write a book about the ins and outs of festivals...oh wait, you are!
ReplyDeleteI love your two dresses all wafty and summery, but can't take my eyes off your fur jacket! Yum! Xo Jazzy Jack
Like Jazzy Jack, I'm admiring your summery gowns and eyeing that fur jacket with glowing green eyes!
ReplyDeleteI mean this as a compliment: Dexter and Jon have that sleek, smug male smile of supreme content. They feel good and they look good! May all of us enjoy such a beautiful summer day this season.
What a lovely location for a vintage fair! When I'm rich, I'll spend a summer there visiting all these wonderful fairs. I love all the classic cars - soo much chrome!
ReplyDeleteYou look like a lovely dessert in your multi-tiered floaty cherry blossom dress. Dexter is a handsome boy, and obviously the pack leader in that family.
I have learned so much about festivals and England in general from your posts. I believe you to be a national treasure and continue to admire you, Jon and your lifestyle from afar. No one rocks a maxi like you do. xo
ReplyDeleteBeautiful maxi! Although, you had me at live music, vintage, and tea in this post. :) x
ReplyDeleteYour cherry blossom maxi might just be the 'floaty, summer-evening maxi' to beat all maxis - just stunning.
ReplyDeleteSo very much to salivate over, all in one place. What deliciousness…
Sorry my favourite picture is dexter i love staffords we have had two over the years love the floaty dresses and the location looks stunning xxx
ReplyDeleteSpeke Hall and its grounds look lovely, as does the festival - there's clearly a chilled kind of vibe, which I think I would appreciate.
ReplyDeleteAs always, your stall look so inviting, due to your wonderful stock and cool displays, but also because you and Jon are the best adverts ever for wearing vintage! Loving both frocks, and Jon's scrubbing up rather nicely this summer too!
Good to see Lyndsey and Steve too, and Dexter of course, handsome boy.
Judith's right - you've reached National Treasure status, and therefore deserve a damehood. Or at least a pay rise...
Love you! xxxx
What a fantastic setting for a vintage fair! Beautiful dresses as usual, the Shubette maxi is gorgeous, and Dexter the Staffie is adorable!
ReplyDeleteThat sure is a pretty dress that was sent to you all the way from the States! All the clothes I spied in this post are excellent. And the cars, the building and the grounds are wonderful too!
ReplyDeleteIt sounds like the most fun job in the world continues to be the most fun job! However, with so much success at all these great events I can only imagine all the work involved on your part, in keeping your rails so tantalizingly stocked. It's no wonder people travel distances for the opportunity to get some of what you're offering!
Looks like a fabulous fun weekend in gorgeous surroundings and such gorgeous clothes too. xxx
ReplyDeleteIt all looks like perfection and so do you :0)
ReplyDeletexx
thanks for your comment...I love nautical print! Prints in general always make me happy and I had to admire once again the print on your dresses.
ReplyDeleteSpeke Hall looks like an amazing place, I especially love the greenhouse photo - I long for one exactly like that! Great photos too and what an assortment of cars. I can imaging The Beatles being driven around in a Rolls Royce like one, but I'd choose the Ford van myself.
ReplyDeleteDoesn't Dexter look cute in that photo? xxx
You look a babe in that floaty maxi, I'm sure you draw tons of customers because you look so fabulous in vintage and your passion is so evident. Remember Speke Hall from last year...what an interesting place and I'd love looking at and sniffing the leather of those vintage motors. Hope your 'Spoons lunch was up to standard. xxxxx
ReplyDeleteSpeke Hall is so beautiful. Tudor architecture is so awe-inspiring. i bet that is lovely at night when you have it all to yourselves. Is that a tin of asda g&t I see before me? Look at that roller! Posh or what? Becky looks lovely in that dress and it's great to see Lyndsey Steve and Dexter out Nd about. Never seen Lyndsey with her fringe down before, looks really cute. You look sublime in that handkerchief (?) maxi. I'd look like a pile of washing. Spoons for luch, ooh, just had a thought of onion rings! :) xxxxx
ReplyDeleteDefinitely channelling your inner Margo in those beautiful maxis. I love them. What an excellent setting for a vintage fair. It looks like such a pretty place. Glad that you had a good time at it. Xx
ReplyDeleteIt looks like such a lovely place and a great setting for a festival, sounds like you had another fab weekend! x
ReplyDeleteoh Becky looks so beautiful in that dress!! you look like you had a wonderful time!
ReplyDeleteAnd i always get worried when i see British people wearing warm clothes in summer. How cold must it get for you to whip out the coats? :)
What an amazing place. I have yet to attend a festival like this here in England. Must go on my to do list!
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