beyond gets behind the wheel to visit The Motorist, one of Yorkshire’s most exciting destinations where cars, hospitality and a relaxed dining experience await visitors, all under one roof.

Nestled in the heart of the Yorkshire countryside, lies a little-known destination that is rapidly growing in reputation and being billed as one of the UK’s most exciting premier motoring venues.

Welcome to The Motorist – a stunning complex that is making a mighty big noise in the world of automobiles and developing into one of Yorkshire’s favourite hospitality hotspots.

For while the unique facility in Sherburn in Elmet was initially geared solely around cars and a place where motor enthusiasts could regularly attend meetings and events on the 800-car site, there is now so much more to this unique venue.

In the space of six years it has grown from an empty field with a portable café into a multi-million-pound facility that is attracting huge national and international interest.

Since 2022, when the venue was fully developed, The Motorist has quietly been going up the gears and is now earning a lofty reputation as a quality family-friendly destination, the perfect location for high-end corporate events and the ideal setting to host private parties and weddings.

Throw in a fantastic store stocking a wide range of motoring goodies, artisan food and drinks, a motoring-themed food hall, a garage and a specialist car body workshop and there really is something for everybody to enjoy at this petrol-head playground.

The brainchild of Simon Spinks, the Chairman of Harrison Spinks, The Motorist was born after car-lover Simon bought a disused unit on an airfield near Sherburn in 2018 and hit on the idea that it would be the perfect venue for people and their cherished cars to come together and meet.

To get the ball rolling, he brought in a catering van to serve coffee and sausage sandwiches and advertised it on social media but little did he realise just how many people would turn up to the events and how popular they would go on to become.

Simon, the founder of Harrison Spinks Beds and also Harrison Spinks Events said: “What surprised me was the number of families coming for a day out to show off their pride and joy and to appreciate other people’s cars and we soon realised that this could grow into something much bigger.”

By the following year he had built a garage so that people could get their cars maintained and after realising that he needed more than just a small food van to cater for the hungry masses that attended the events every weekend, he set about building a proper café.

Such was its success that in 2022, the beautiful wooden and glass framed building, that now houses the shop, the food outlets and the various event spaces, was created and is a reflection of just how far the venture has come in such a short space of time.

Alec Howarth, Managing Director of The Motorist, is incredibly proud of the growth of the business and puts its success down to its appeal to not just car enthusiasts but a much wider audience.

He said: “We are now more than just a destination for car lovers and I’m delighted to see our vision of making
The Motorist a venue for everybody from families to corporate businesses has been realised.

“Whether you are looking to enjoy a delicious meal; browse in our well-equipped store; are a business looking to hire corporate meeting spaces in our conference rooms or are a couple looking for a unique wedding venue, there really is something for everybody here at The Motorist.”

Perfectly located near to the M62, the M1 and the A1 and with a private airfield adjacent to it, The Motorist is easily accessible to all and Alec says they regularly get people travelling from across the country to enjoy their facilities.

Alec added: “As well as the general public, we have now become a regular haunt for celebrities like Sir Alan Sugar who often flies in to see us, plus big names from the motor world including the likes of Zak Brown, the CEO of McLaren Formula One, Daniel Linfoot, the world champion endurance bike racer and Richard Millener, the M-Sport Ford Team Principal.

“Such is our growing reputation, we are also delighted to have secured partnerships with high profile names like United Autosports, the Beaulieu National Motor Museum and various dealerships in the region which has further elevated our standing across the country.

“The consistency of support and visitors we receive every weekend is really encouraging and as our name and our iconic brand continues to grow, we want to keep moving forward and live up to our slogan as a venue that really does fuel all your needs.”

As for the future, Alec says they are at the early stages of developing an on-site 50-bedroom hotel which would add even further dimensions to the business.

Alec said: “The idea is that the hotel and rooms will be motor-themed, giving us the ability to accommodate people for either extended corporate or leisure breaks and fully utilise the land we have in this beautiful part of the country.”

For a business that started in an empty field, The Motorist has effortlessly moved up the gears to provide a unique experience for all who visit.

The Motorist
New Lennerton Lane, Sherburn in Elmet, Leeds LS25 6JE
T: 01977 233200
W: themotorist.com

OUR SPACES

THE MOTORIST KITCHEN
Serving up a relaxed dining experience with an emphasis on family-friendly food and amazing Sunday roasts, The Motorist Kitchen is the place to head for a laid-back lunch or an enjoyable evening meal in a beautiful setting.

MEETING AND EVENT SPACES
With different sized meeting and conference rooms available  – all named after iconic drivers and race tracks – discover your next corporate meeting space at The Motorist. From as few as four people or enough space for a canapé and drinks reception for up to 300 guests, the luxury and well-equipped rooms come with all your business needs.

WEDDINGS
Discover a wedding venue with a difference, either in our upstairs Le Mans Room or ground-floor Arnage Room where you can enjoy an exclusive view of the entire site from the spacious balcony or terrace

THE STORE
The Store at The Motorist is a unique destination where customers can purchase motoring merchandise, artisan food and drink and a wide range of gifts before enjoying a drink or bite to eat in The Motorist Kitchen.

THE GARAGE & BODYSHOP
Offering repairs, renovations and servicing on all makes and models our Porsche-trained team of mechanics and bodyshop experts are on hand to get you and your cherished vehicle back on the road in showroom condition.

EVENTS
There is always a packed calendar of events taking place at The Motorist with celebrity Q&As, quizzes and free car meets every week. For a line-up of upcoming events, please visit themotorist.com