
Summer Fete Open Weekend 2025
Back by popular demand – join us for an unforgettable weekend with our Summer Fete at Shuttleworth on Saturday 12 and Sunday 13 July 2025, where we’ll transform the picturesque grounds into a lively hub of entertainment and excitement for the whole family.
This year we’re expanding the event to include everything Shuttleworth has to offer including the Collection and Swiss Garden, Lakeside Parkland and Shuttleworth House.
If you are a trader looking to book a stall please contact – events@shuttleworth.org
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🎵 LIVE MUSIC
Let the rhythm of live music fill the air as talented musicians and bands take the stage, creating the perfect soundtrack for your summer day. Feel the beats, dance to the rhythm, and soak up the sunshine in an atmosphere charged with positive energy.
🛍️CRAFT & GIFT MARKET
Following the same format as our Christmas & Mother’s Day Markets which saw over 1,600 visitors per day, we are excited to be welcoming back and celebrating local traders of all kinds this July!
Explore an array of unique and diverse stalls featuring local artisans, crafts, and traders offering a delightful selection of handmade crafts, jewellery, clothing, and more. Discover one-of-a-kind treasures and support local businesses in the process.
🍔STREET FOOD
Embark on a culinary adventure with a variety of mouth-watering street food options, offering flavours from around the world. Whether you’re craving something savory or sweet, there’s something to satisfy every taste!
🍻BAR
Take a break from the excitement and grab a drink in the Garden Suite Bar. From ice-cool lager to local ales and ciders.
Our in-house experienced bar team have plenty to keep you in the Summer mood from our wide range of flavoured gins to Pimms by the glass!
Note: visitors are not permitted to bring their own alcohol to site – our bar is situated right next to the main lawn & stage and we do our best to keep our prices to a reasonable rate so you can relax and enjoy the day!
🎪ACTIVITIES & FUN FAIR RIDES
Our fun fair games will provide endless laughter and enjoyment. With classic carnival games and traditional stalls there’s something for everyone to enjoy, ensuring a day packed with joy and amusement.
We’re excited to introduce kids’ activities, including circus skills workshops, face painting, balloon modelling, and magic shows. There’s something for everyone to enjoy, ensuring a day full of laughter and excitement.
🚒 SHUTTLEWORTH FIRE SERVICE
Join us for a unique opportunity to meet the passionate team from the Shuttleworth Trust Fire Service and learn more about the vital work they do
🚤MODELS
Join us as we host the Mini-Z, The RC Tank Regiment, and four Model Boat & Ship Clubs, showcasing an incredible collection of remote-controlled vehicles. From high-speed races to intricate model craftsmanship, there’s something for enthusiasts of all kinds.
✈️SPIRFIRE SIT-IN EXPERIENCE
Step back in time and experience a piece of history with the chance to sit in a genuine 1942 Mark Vc Spitfire, AR501. This iconic aircraft, which once escorted the famous USAAF B-17 ‘Memphis Belle’ during WWII, offers a rare and exciting opportunity for aviation lovers.
Tickets are sold separately. BOOK HERE.
🚂CLAYTON & SHUTTLEWORTH HERITAGE
Learn more about how the Shuttleworth family fortune was made. See live demonstrations from various heritage exhibits from Clayton & Shuttleworth – one of the early builders of portable steam engines and thrashing machines.
BOFORS ANTI-AIRCRAFT GUN
Let our enthusiastic team of volunteers guide you through working the BOFORS gun yourself. This interactive exhibit can be operated by ages 3 – 93!
🌸SWISS GARDEN
Step through ornate iron gates into the quiet idyll of Swiss Garden. With quirky structures to find, and resident peacocks, it’s the perfect shady retreat on a summer’s day.
🛩️COLLECTION
Walking through the six huge hangars at Shuttleworth, you’ll see how aviation design developed from Edwardian times up until the 1950s. Don’t miss the 1909 Blériot XI, which, along with all of our aircraft, is still airworthy. It’s the world’s oldest flying aeroplane and it regularly takes the sky at our air shows.
From early 20th century aircraft, cars, buses and motorbikes to steam engines and farm machinery, it’s all here for you to discover.
Please note we have a new ticketing system so you will now be redirected to our Digitickets booking page.
Please be aware that this is a site-wide event day. To access the Runway Café or Visitor Attraction on this day, you will require an event ticket. 30-day return daily admission tickets are not valid on event days.













More information...
Getting here & parking
We have a brilliant team of car parkers who will safely guide you to the parking area.
Blue Badge parking is available; please clearly display your badge on arrival to assist parking staff who will direct you to the right area.
We ask that you work with our parking team, follow their guidance and park where directed.
Once you have parked up, please make your way to the entrance via the House forecourt gates.
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Address: Shuttleworth, Alder Drive, Old Warden Park, Biggleswade, Beds, SG18 9DT
WHAT.THREE.WORDS ///: FAKE.STUFFY.APES
Catering
Please see above – we are excited to be welcoming some incredible local catering vendors
We will also be opening our very own in-house bar in the Garden Suite
Accessibility
Please speak with a member of our team on arrival if you require assistance.
Wheelchair access:
The House is only accessible via stair lift which our team are on hand to assist with.
Other information
- Children must be accompanied by an adult at all times
- Please be kind and considerate to our staff and volunteers
- Please take your rubbish home with you
- Dogs on leads permitted
- Strictly no food or drink to be brought into the event especially alcohol
- No access to middle or top floors of the House
- Please follow direction of our parking team – they are here for your safety
FAQs
TICKETING
ARE TICKETS REFUNDABLE?
Unless you have also purchased Ticket Protection (see above), all tickets are non-refundable and non-transferable, even in the event of an air show/event cancellation.
ARE TICKETS AVAILABLE ON THE GATE?
We recommend pre-booking your visit to Shuttleworth, but we do offer tickets on the gate. Please note, if you’re paying with cash, no change will be given.
I CAN’T FIND MY TICKETS, WHAT SHOULD I DO?
Please contact enquiries@shuttleworth.org
DO I NEED TO PRINT MY TICKETS?
We can scan your ticket directly from your mobile device, so please save the paper and don’t print your ticket unless you need to. Please note: we do not accept screenshots of tickets.
DO YOU OFFER DISCOUNT FOR CHILDREN?
Kids go free to all our 2025 air shows and Summer Fete, excluding Flying Proms.
DO YOU OFFER MEDIA PASSES?
For all media enquiries, please email marketing@shuttleworth.org
GETTING HERE
HOW DO I GET TO SHUTTLEWORTH?
We encourage you to follow event signage to our Alder Drive entrance, using What3Words ///forks.extension.drums or postcode SG18 9DT.
CAN I FLY IN?
Yes, please contact tower@shuttleworth.org
I’M COMING FROM A LONG WAY AWAY; DO YOU HAVE RECOMMENDED PLACES TO STAY LOCALLY?
We offer a range of accommodation on site: Camping, The Garden Suite at Shuttleworth House, and The Flat at Shuttleworth House. You can find out more here.
YOUR VISIT
IS THERE FOOD & DRINK AVAILABLE ON SITE?
As well as the Runway Café, we will have a range of external caterers on site.
CAN I BRING MY OWN FOOD & DRINK?
You are welcome to bring your own food and drink; however, we do not allow barbeques on site, and we ask that you refrain from bringing sharp knives on site.
DO YOU ACCEPT CASH?
We prefer cashless payments and accept all major debit and credit cards, and mobile payments. We can accept cash when no alternative is available but cannot guarantee that change will be provided.
CAN I BRING MY DOG?
Well behaved dogs are welcome on site. We do not permit dogs in the following areas: Collection hangars, Shop, Runway Café, or Swiss Garden. Service animals are welcome.
CAN I SMOKE/VAPE ON SITE?
We ask that you only smoke/vape in designated areas of the site.
DO YOU HAVE BABY CHANGING FACILITIES?
Baby changing facilities are available across the site including our Visitor Centre and Hangar toilets.
ACCESSIBILITY
IS THERE ACCESSIBLE PARKING ON SITE?
Disabled parking is available on a first-come first-served basis. Upon arrival, our stewards will direct you to the appropriate area of the site.
IS THE SITE WHEELCHAIR ACCESSIBLE?
We are proud to operate an accessible site. Due to the listed status of Shuttleworth House, accessibility is limited to the ground floor.
CAN I RESERVE A WHEELCHAIR?
We have a limited number of wheelchairs available to reserve on site. To reserve a wheelchair, please email enquiries@shuttleworth.org
ARE SERVICE ANIMALS PERMITTED ON SITE?
Service animals are permitted in all areas of the site.
Air Experience Flights
Take a trial flying lesson in one of Cambridge Flying Group’s fabulous wartime, two seater, open cockpit Tiger Moths with the chance to take the controls (if you wish).
For £299 your 30 minute flight will be conducted by a fully qualified flying instructor.
