Warwick Court Leet, the town’s historic legal and civic body, delivered a weekend of free events on Saturday 15 and Sunday 16 August, combining nearly 500 years of tradition with one of the summer’s most popular motoring shows.
Assizes Day 2026
On Saturday, 15 August, Warwick Court Leet held its annual Assizes Day, a tradition dating back to the 16th century.
Dressed in full robes and regalia, members of the Court visited local traders across Warwick to inspect, purchase and sample their goods, recreating the roles once carried out by the Court’s appointed Ale, Bread, Fish, Cheese and Flesh Tasters.
The tradition dates from a Royal Charter granted by Queen Mary I in 1554, which made the Court responsible for maintaining standards in the town’s marketplace, from checking that bread was the correct weight to ensuring ale, meat, fish and cheese were fit to sell.
This year’s Assizes saw the Court attending tasting at established vendors, visiting new businesses and those under new ownership. The Court says it aims to celebrate both existing and new businesses and showcase their contribution to Warwick’s hospitality offerings.
The day followed a set route through the town, with tastings held at 7 Square, Old Square (cheese), Au Plaisir du Pain & Olive Stall, Market Place (bread), The Globe, Theatre Street (fish), The Thirsty Bear, Smith Street (ale) and The Warwick Arms Hotel, High Street (meat)
Traders whose goods were approved by the Court were presented with a certificate and a sprig of green, a custom used historically to show townsfolk that a shop’s offerings had passed inspection. The event also gave observers the chance to speak with Court members and learn more about Warwick’s history, while supporting the traders and hospitality venues taking part
The Warwick Classic Car Show 2026
On Sunday 16 August, more than 170 classic cars filled Market Place and the surrounding streets for the Court’s Warwick Classic Car Show.
The free event brought together pre-1990 classics, kit cars, hot rods, vans and commercial vehicles spanning several decades of motoring history, from post-war British marques to American muscle cars.
The show began over a decade ago as a small enthusiasts’ meet-up known as Retro Warwick and has since grown into one of the town’s key summer fixtures now organised and produced by Warwick Court Leet. Entry was free for both spectators and exhibitors.
Richard Eddy, Herald of Warwick Court Leet, said:
“The Classic Car Show is more than just a line-up of beautiful cars. It’s about bringing the community of Warwick together, welcoming visitors, and showing off the best of Warwick. We owe huge thanks to the classic car owners, drivers, enthusiasts and the volunteers from Warwick Court Leet, in addition to our sponsors Classic Car Auctions by Iconic Auctioneers and Warrington’s of Warwick for making this event possible. By working together, we’re delivering another free community event from Warwick Court Leet and its supporters.”
Organisers said the show saw a strong turnout and positive feedback from exhibitors and the public, with local shops and pubs in the town centre also seeing increased trade over the weekend. Volunteers from the Court Leet’s Classic Car Show team, led by Hilary Maymen, Phil Higgins and their team ran the event on the day.
Richard added:
“What a wonderful weekend! From Assizes, where we celebrated our town’s amazing businesses and hospitality venues, to our biggest ever collection of vehicles in the square for The Warwick Classic Car Show, we owe a debt of gratitude to everyone who supported these events. At the Warwick Classic Car Show we were thrilled to accommodate more than 170 cars, and we thank everyone for their supportive and fantastic feedback.”
Warwick Classic Car Show photos shown taken by and are copyright Greg Charman, August 2026