Harewood hosts the Volkswagen festival

Emily Murgatroyd, age six, sits inside her cart during the VW Festival at Harewood House. Picture: Anna Gowthorpe

The grounds of the stately home were transformed into a sea of automotive artistry and Beetlemania as owners and enthusiasts united in the sunshine.

Among the visitors was Leonard Hutchison, who travelled all the way from Northern Ireland with the two most important ladies in his life – his blue VW Beetle and his wife Heather.

Mr Hutchison, said: “I have been a VW fan for 30 years. I love everything about them; the manufacturing, the durability – and the scene that we have here. It’s the first time we’ve been and it’s very, very good.”

He joked: “Heather and I have been married for 20 years, so my relationship with VWs is longer than with my wife!”

This year’s show also featured a 1980s theme with a feast of live music and displays alongside the hundreds of cars that took centre stage.

The car-crazy celebrations ended yesterday with the traditional Show and Shine parade, which featured 250 of the most impressive vehicles.

Also enjoying the fun in the sun was Charlotte Caton, from Morley, who popped along with partner Chris and son Jack, two, for the family’s second visit to the event.

She said: “We are not VW experts but last time we came we went away and bought a camper van! It’s a really nice, fun atmosphere and there’s lots going on.”