NE1 Newcastle Motor Show family day out: supercars, stunts and birthday fun

NE1 Newcastle Motor Show: the ultimate birthday treat for boys of all ages

We took a family day out at the NE1 Motor Show to celebrate two very special birthdays. Milestone birthdays are a big deal in British culture, and I wanted my boys to feel properly celebrated, loved, appreciated, and maybe a little spoiled without breaking the bank.

Birthday gifts without the blowout

With H’s 40th and little C’s first birthday looming, I started stressing about gifts. Nursery fees had already swallowed most of my cash, so another splurge was out of the question. Trips away? Nope. Fancy meals out? Nada. My DA wasn’t high enough for any complimentary press goodies, either. My husband had made it very clear: do not spend. I mean it… reluctantly.

A wallet-friendly win

So, what’s a new mum over 40 to do on a shoestring budget? Easy. Supercars. Lots of them. Up close. NE1 Newcastle Motor Show, free and open-air on Grey Street in July, was our answer. And it was perfect: Lamborghinis, Porsches, Lexuses rolling in one after another, each shinier and more powerful than the last.

Little C’s big moment

While the big names usually steal the limelight, our true star was little C. Watching him get behind the wheel was unforgettable. We had to practically wrestle our tiny racer out of the car. It’s safe to say Disney Pixar’s Cars is now a weekend fixture in our house. And yes, we are unabashed Rolls Royce fans, I still swoon over the Celestial Phantom’s 1,000 fibre-optic lights in the roof.

Engineering thrills for H

For H, it’s all about engineering. The blue model we spotted had the crowds murmuring in awe. Strolling down Grey Street, adrenaline was high, cameras clicking, and memories being cemented. We couldn’t swing a racetrack experience or a luxury spa, but the motor show gave us all the excitement we needed.

Family fun at full throttle

The show, sponsored by DFDS, drew 100,000 visitors across two days. Live stunt action, cars spanning decades, and H’s favourite, a BMW 2002 from his childhood, delighted us. Dubbed the ‘Goodwood of the North,’ it stretched across two square miles with Porsche number plates that felt made for our family. McLaren, Bentley, Tesla, Infiniti, and Lexus had stands to chat with owners and experts, keeping the boys grinning ear to ear.

Simulators and home treats

The Mercedes AMG simulator at the Monument was a hit, though little C was still a touch too small. Back home, we continued the celebrations with a Vtech Toot Toot Garage and Playtime Bus. Red headlights, music, numbers, the alphabet, little C squealed with delight. Push along, rev engines, beep horns, for a moment, it felt like the NE1 Motor Show had followed us home.

Family days out done right

Milestone birthdays don’t need extravagant budgets. With a bit of imagination, a love of cars, and a few squeals, we created memories that will last a lifetime.