Haynes Motor Museum classic car exhibition hall
A Decade of Craftsmanship · 2016–2026

Ten Years
of Van Haven.

An anniversary gathering marking a decade of design, engineering and community, hosted in the halls of a British motoring icon.

View the Itinerary Practical Information
Date Friday 28th August 2026
Venue Haynes Motor Museum, Sparkford, Somerset, BA22 7LH
Programme Day Event · 10:00–15:30
Evening Event · 18:00–23:00
Dress Day: Casual · Evening: Smart casual
Welcome · Overview

Ten Years in the Making.

Since 2016, Van Haven has been building vans that read like architecture on wheels: quiet, considered and unmistakably its own. This anniversary brings together the clients, partners and craftspeople who have shaped that journey, for a day of showcases and a night of celebration under the roof of Haynes Motor Museum.

0 Years of Custom Conversions and Returning Clients
01 Landmark Venue: Haynes Motor Museum
0 Programmes: Day Showcase and Evening VIP Dinner
T7 Debut: Unveiled to Guests First
A Note Before You Arrive

Guests are welcome to move freely between the Merlin Suite, the Koenigsegg Exhibition in the Millennium Room (only available to our guests), the Museum and the Lawn throughout the day. The Museum remains open until 17:30 for continued exploration after the formal programme closes.

Part One · 10:00–15:30

Day Event Itinerary.

A morning of arrivals, unveilings and hands-on experiences, followed by a buffet lunch and open exploration of the Haynes collection. Curated for clients, prospective owners, industry partners and press.

10:00

Arrival & Registration

Guests are greeted at the Museum’s main entrance and issued with lanyards and event access. Complimentary tea and coffee is served in the Merlin Suite.

Museum Main Entrance Merlin Suite
10:30

Opening Address & T7 Showcase

A short welcome from the Van Haven Founder and Managing Director, reflecting on ten years of craftsmanship, the people behind it, and the road ahead. The unveiling of the T7, Van Haven’s next-generation flagship conversion, with a design and engineering walkthrough delivered on stage, followed by first-look access to the vehicle itself.

Merlin Suite
11:30

T7 Display · Hypercar Tours · Simulator · Interactive Zones

The whole event floor opens for free-flow exploration: the T7 on display, curator-led tours of the Haynes hypercar collection, the driving simulator, and Van Haven’s interactive material zones.

Merlin Suite Millennium Room The Lawn
13:00

Buffet Lunch

A relaxed buffet lunch served across the Merlin Suite and Lawn, with seating indoors and out. Soft drinks included; a licensed bar is available.

Merlin Suite & Lawn
14:00

Afternoon Museum Exploration

The programme opens up: guests are free to explore the full Haynes Motor Museum at their own pace, over 400 vehicles across the Red Room, Le Mans hall, British motoring galleries and more.

Haynes Motor Museum
15:30

Daytime Session Close

The formal day programme closes. The Museum itself remains open to guests until 17:30 for continued browsing before the evening event begins.

Between Programmes · 15:30–18:00

For those guests remaining for the evening session, a quiet interval to return to accommodation, change for the evening or continue exploring the Museum. Accommodation options are listed in the Stay section below.

Local pub: The Sparkford Inn, High St, Sparkford, BA22 7JH, a 0.7 mile (15 minute) walk from Haynes.

The Day Continues

A Decade of Craftsmanship Deserves a Proper Celebration.

See what’s on this evening, from cocktails in the Red Room to a live set from the RPJ Band.

See the Evening Programme
Rick Parfitt Jnr performing live
Part Two · 18:00–23:00

Evening Event Itinerary.

A private VIP evening: cocktails on arrival, a 3-course dinner in the Merlin Suite, and a live set from the Rick Parfitt Jnr Band to close out ten years in style. Attendance by invitation.

18:00

Drinks Reception

Guests are welcomed with themed cocktails (alcoholic and non-alcoholic) in the spectacular Red Room. The Red Room car collection spans a century of motoring history, showcasing why red has become the universal colour for speed, power, and prestige.

Red Room
18:45

Guests Seated · Evening Welcome Address

Guests move through to the Merlin Suite and take their seats at allocated tables. A brief welcome address opens the evening formalities.

Merlin Suite
19:00

VIP Dinner Service

A three-course dinner served to table, along with specially selected wines. Menus are on tables and dietary requirements accounted for.

Merlin Suite
20:25

Closing Toast · Band Introduction

A closing toast, thanking the team, partners and clients who have made ten years possible, followed by an introduction to the evening’s headline act.

Merlin Suite
20:30

Rick Parfitt Jnr (RPJ) Band · Live Performance

A live headline set from the Rick Parfitt Jnr Band, a high energy rock and pop set, with the dancefloor open. The bar continues to serve throughout.

Merlin Suite
21:30

After-Show

Following the live set, the bar and dancefloor remain open for guests to continue the celebration.

Merlin Suite
23:00

Bar Closes · Event Concludes

The bar closes and the evening concludes. Pre-booked taxis will wait at the Museum’s main entrance for departures to accommodation.

Dress code, evening: Smart casual (no T-shirts or trainers). A cloakroom is available in the Merlin Suite foyer for jackets and bags throughout the evening.

Evening · Merlin Suite · 19:00

Evening Dinner Menu.

A three-course dinner served to table in the Merlin Suite, paired with specially selected wines. Menus will be placed on tables on the night; dietary requirements notified in advance will be accommodated.

Starter

Roasted Pepper Antipasti, served with hummus, roasted tomatoes, and olives.

Main

Slow Cooked Breton Pork Fillet, served in a sage, apple, and cider cream sauce with fresh seasonal vegetables and potatoes. Vegan option available.

Dessert

Milk Chocolate Mousse, served with a shortbread biscuit.

Wines have been selected to complement each course. A full bar is available throughout the evening. Please inform a member of the Van Haven team of any allergies or dietary requirements not previously confirmed.

Between Programmes · Overnight Options

Local Accommodation.

Complimentary on-site camping is available for vehicles at Haynes with toilet facilities (no showers) and overnight security. For guests preferring a hotel or inn nearby, a selection of local options is listed below, arranged by driving time from the venue.

10–15 Min Drive · Wincanton Travelodge Wincanton travelodge.co.uk
10–15 Min Drive · Wincanton The Newt in Somerset thenewtinsomerset.com
15 Min Drive · Ditcheat Manor House Inn manorhouseinnditcheat.co.uk
15 Min Drive · West Camel Walnut Tree thewalnuttreeyeovil.com
20 Min Drive · Bower Hinton, Martock The Hollies Hotel thehollieshotel.co.uk
25 Min Drive · West Coker Lanes Hotel Boutique Hotel & Spa · laneshotel.net
On-Site Camping Complimentary vehicle camping is available at Haynes with toilet facilities (no showers) and overnight security. Please confirm your camping booking with the Van Haven team in advance so we can allocate space on the day.
Guest Information

Practical Information.

Everything you need to arrive, settle in and leave the venue smoothly. Please contact the Van Haven events team for anything not covered here.

Haynes Motor Museum, Sparkford, Yeovil, Somerset BA22 7LH. The venue is fully accessible. Parking is complimentary and adjacent to the main entrance.

Day event: from 10:00. The welcome desk will be manned until 14:00. Evening event: from 18:00. Guests are seated by 18:45.

By car: around 2 minutes from the A303 (Sparkford junction). Signposted from all approaches. By rail: Castle Cary station, around a 10 minute taxi. London Paddington is approximately 1 hour 45 minutes direct.

Day: casual. Evening: smart casual (no T-shirts or trainers).

All requirements notified in advance will be catered for. See the Evening Dinner Menu above for the planned three-course menu.

An official photographer and videographer will be on site throughout the day and evening. Guests are welcome to share images with the event hashtag #VanHaven10.

contact@vanhaven.co.uk
Van Haven Team · 01258 577016
Haynes Team · 01963 440804
Available on the day at the Welcome Desk and Merlin Suite foyer.

Please respect the Museum’s exhibits at all times: no touching of vehicles unless invited to do so by a member of the Van Haven or Haynes team. Emergency exits and assembly points are marked throughout the venue.

Here’s to the road behind us, and every mile still ahead.

Van Haven · Est. 2016
Questions Before the Day

We’re Here to Help.

Everything you need for Friday 28th August is on this page. If anything isn’t covered, get in touch and the team will help directly.

Van Haven Team · 01258 577016
contact@vanhaven.co.uk
Haynes Motor Museum, Sparkford, Somerset BA22 7LH

Getting There, In Short

  • Complimentary parking on-site.
  • ~2 minutes from the A303 (Sparkford junction).
  • Castle Cary station, ~10 minute taxi.
  • Complimentary vehicle camping available on-site.

See You There

Friday 28th August 2026.

Bring your camera. Share the day with the event hashtag #VanHaven10.

View Itinerary