distinctive rumble builds along the Suffolk coast. It’s the sound of decades, carried on the wind. By midday, dozens of vintage and classic vehicles begin their stately procession along the A14, ending their journey right by the waves.

It is, by most measures, one of the premier historic vehicle events in East Anglia. The Ipswich Transport Museum, the organiser, has a long track record of preserving transport heritage. This annual run is a highlight, offering a chance to see moving history up close.

This year, keep an eye out for a particularly rare sight: a 1930s Austin Seven Ulster. This two-seater sports car is known for its distinctive pointed tail. Only a few hundred were ever made, and seeing one on the open road is, well, a treat. The cars arrive, drivers and passengers alight, and the promenade fills with curious onlookers. It’s a moment of shared appreciation for engineering and design from a bygone era.

It’s a free spectacle, designed for families and enthusiasts alike. The atmosphere is always relaxed, a pleasant hum of conversation mixing with the occasional purr of a finely tuned engine. You can wander among the parked cars, chat with the owners, and simply soak it all in. So when you stand on the promenade watching a 1950s fire engine roll past, you are, in a small way, part of keeping that history intact. Which is a rather good reason to be there.