On Father's Day visitors were treated to a wonderful day of sunshine, steam and vintage charm at the Bicton Gardens Steam and Vintage Weekend, held over the weekend at the beautiful Bicton Park Botanical Gardens in East Devon.
With blue skies overhead and the scent of coal smoke drifting across the grounds, the event transported guests back to a bygone age. Crowds gathered to admire an impressive collection of traction engines, miniature steam engines, classic cars, agricultural vehicles and vintage motorcycles, all lovingly maintained by passionate owners eager to share their stories.
The unmistakable sights and sounds of steam power were accompanied by the steady rumble of heritage diesel engines, creating an atmosphere that delighted enthusiasts and families alike. Children watched in fascination as engines hissed and puffed into life, while older visitors enjoyed a nostalgic trip down memory lane.
One of the highlights of the weekend was the elegant model steam boat Aureol, which could be seen gracefully cruising across the water. Its working engine and gentle plume of smoke attracted plenty of attention from visitors gathered around the lakeside.
Beyond the vintage displays, guests explored Bicton's stunning gardens and the Countryside Museum, home to an extensive collection of historic Lister engines and rural heritage exhibits.
The combination of beautiful weather, fascinating machinery and the unique setting of Bicton made for a memorable day out. Whether visitors came to admire the engineering, relive fond memories or simply enjoy a summer day in one of Devon's most attractive visitor attractions, the Bicton Gardens Steam and Vintage Weekend once again proved to be a highlight of the county's events calendar.
