Partnership Announcement · Canford Classic & Supercar Sunday 2026
Franses Jewellers Named as Presenting Partner of the Franses Sunken Lawn at Canford Classic & Supercar Sunday 2026
The Franses Sunken Lawn is officially confirmed. Aperta Events is proud to announce Franses Jewellers of Bournemouth, one of the South Coast's most celebrated luxury names and the official Patek Philippe retailer for Dorset and the South West of England, as the presenting partner of the Sunken Lawn at Canford Classic & Supercar Sunday 2026.
The partnership marks a new chapter for Canford's most prestigious feature. Positioned at the heart of the event, the Sunken Lawn has rapidly become the defining image of Canford Classic & Supercar Sunday — a hand-curated stage reserved for the rarest, most significant and most desirable cars in attendance. For 2026, it takes on a new identity: the Franses Sunken Lawn.
Canford Classic & Supercar Sunday 2026 returns to the stunning grounds of Canford School in Wimborne, Dorset, on Sunday 23 August 2026, running from 10:00 to 16:00. The event brings together an exceptional range of classic cars, supercars, hypercars and collector machines — and the Franses Sunken Lawn will once again sit at the very centre of it all.
What Is the Franses Sunken Lawn?
The Franses Sunken Lawn is the premium centrepiece of Canford Classic & Supercar Sunday — the part of the event that draws the longest looks, the most conversations and the photographs people are still sharing weeks later.
Unlike the Supercar Paddock or Classic Car Paddock — which welcome a wide range of exhibitors — the Sunken Lawn is strictly invitation and selection-based. Every car on it has been hand-picked by Aperta. There is no application form that guarantees a place. There is only the standard of the car itself.
The result is a display that punches well above the weight of a typical one-day automotive event. Set against the historic architecture of Canford School — one of Dorset's most beautiful venues — the lawn gives each car the space, setting and prominence that genuinely rare machines deserve.
Read more about the Sunken Lawn
The 2025 Sunken Lawn — A Standard Already Set
For a feature in only its second year, the Canford Sunken Lawn has established a benchmark that few one-day car events in the UK can match. In 2025, the lawn was home to an extraordinary assembly of automotive icons that helped define the event's identity and cemented Canford Classic as a serious entry on the UK supercar event calendar.
Highlights included two Ferrari F40s, a Koenigsegg CCX, multiple Ferrari F12tdfs, the Aston Martin Valour, a McLaren 650S GT3 by DMS Automotive, a Lamborghini Countach, Lamborghini Aventador SVJ, Lamborghini STO, McLaren 620R, Porsche 911 S/T, a Ferrari Testarossa and a striking blue Porsche 911 GT3 RS. Each car on its own would be a reason to attend. Together, they made the Sunken Lawn the most-photographed area at Canford 2025 by some distance.
For 2026, the ambition is higher. The Franses Sunken Lawn will build on that foundation — with the added weight of a presenting partner whose name carries real meaning among collectors and enthusiasts across the South Coast and beyond.
About Franses Jewellers of Bournemouth
Franses Jewellers of Bournemouth is a fourth-generation family jeweller, long regarded as one of the finest independent luxury retailers on the South Coast of England. Based at 23 Westover Road, Bournemouth — a street once known as the Bond Street of the South — the Franses family have built a reputation over generations for their uncompromising commitment to craftsmanship, personal service and exceptional product.
Franses is the official Patek Philippe retailer for Dorset and the South West of England, operating a dedicated Patek Philippe showroom that is, notably, the only one in the UK with a sea view. Alongside its watch offering, the boutique specialises in fine diamond jewellery, with pieces designed and crafted in-house by James Franses — son of proprietor Jeff Franses, who represents the fourth generation of the family business.
With the majority of clients being repeat customers — testament to the depth of trust the Franses name commands — the business has grown into one of the region's most respected luxury brands, combining traditional values with genuinely innovative design.
"The Sunken Lawn has become the defining image of Canford Classic & Supercar Sunday. It represents the very best of the event, the rarest cars, the strongest curation, and the sense of occasion that makes Canford feel so special. To welcome Franses Jewellers as presenting partner for 2026 feels like a perfect fit. Their brand stands for quality, heritage and excellence, which is exactly what the lawn is all about."
Zander Miller, Founder, Aperta Events
Why the Franses Partnership Is a Natural Fit
On the surface, a jeweller and a supercar event might seem an unlikely pairing. Look closer, and the alignment is unmistakable.
The clients who purchase a Patek Philippe are very often the same people who own a hypercar. The collector who seeks out a Ferrari F40 with provenance is the same person who understands why a hand-finished watch movement matters. The values that underpin fine watchmaking — precision, rarity, heritage, the relentless pursuit of the exceptional — are the same values that define the best cars in the world.
The Sunken Lawn has always been curated around exactly those values. Adding Franses Jewellers as presenting partner does not change what the lawn represents. It amplifies it — and names it in a way that the region's most discerning audience will immediately understand.
For Franses, the partnership extends their presence into the lifestyle world of automotive collecting — an audience that overlaps almost entirely with the world of fine jewellery and Swiss watchmaking. For Aperta, it brings one of the South Coast's most prestigious names to the event's most prestigious feature. The logic is as clean as it gets.
We are delighted to be part of this prestigious event and look forward to unveiling The Franses Sunken Lawn.
Jeff Franses, Director, Franses Jewellers of Bournemouth
What to Expect on the Franses Sunken Lawn in 2026
The full Franses Sunken Lawn lineup for Canford 2026 will be revealed closer to the event. But the direction of travel is clear.
The 2026 Sunken Lawn will once again be invitation and selection-based. Every car will be chosen for its significance, rarity, condition or story. The lawn will not be defined by volume, but by quality — and by the sense that every machine on it has earned its place. Expect hypercars, homologation legends, collector-grade exotica and rare machines that would be the centrepiece of any show on the UK automotive calendar.
The presentation of the lawn will reflect the new partnership. The Franses name brings with it a visual language of luxury and refinement — and Aperta will ensure the staging, signage and atmosphere of the lawn matches that standard.
Apply to Display on the Franses Sunken Lawn
If you own a car that you believe belongs on the Franses Sunken Lawn, applications for Canford Classic & Supercar Sunday 2026 are now open.
The Sunken Lawn Showcase is invitation and selection-based. Not every car will be accepted — and that is precisely what makes it worth applying for. If your car is genuinely exceptional — a hypercar with provenance, a low-production collector car, a machine with genuine automotive significance — this is the display opportunity it deserves.
Applications are reviewed by the Aperta team and confirmed based on the quality, rarity and suitability of each vehicle. Apply to display your car here.
Visiting Canford Classic & Supercar Sunday 2026
Beyond the Franses Sunken Lawn, Canford Classic & Supercar Sunday 2026 offers an exceptional day out for car enthusiasts, families and collectors alike. The full event spans the iconic grounds of Canford School in Wimborne, Dorset, and includes a Supercar Paddock, Classic Car Paddock, live entertainment, food and drink, family activities and a broad programme of automotive experiences.
Canford Classic & Supercar Sunday has grown rapidly since its inaugural year, attracting visitors from across the South West of England and further afield. The move to Canford School in 2025 marked a step change in scale, setting and ambition — and 2026 builds on that momentum with the addition of the Franses Sunken Lawn as a named, sponsored centrepiece.
Tickets for Canford Classic & Supercar Sunday 2026 are available now. The event is expected to sell out — early purchase is strongly recommended.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Franses Sunken Lawn?
The Franses Sunken Lawn is the premium centrepiece display at Canford Classic & Supercar Sunday 2026, presented by Franses Jewellers of Bournemouth. It is a hand-curated, invitation-only showcase of the rarest and most significant vehicles at the event, set on the iconic Sunken Lawn at Canford School, Wimborne, Dorset.
When and where is Canford Classic & Supercar Sunday 2026?
Canford Classic & Supercar Sunday 2026 takes place on Sunday 23 August 2026 at Canford School, Wimborne, Dorset, BH21 3AD. The event runs from 10:00 to 16:00.
Who are Franses Jewellers?
Franses Jewellers is a fourth-generation family jeweller based at 23 Westover Road, Bournemouth. They are the official Patek Philippe retailer for Dorset and the South West of England, and specialise in fine diamond jewellery designed and crafted in-house by James Franses. Visit franses.co.uk to learn more.
How can I get my car on the Franses Sunken Lawn?
The Franses Sunken Lawn is invitation and selection-based. Applications are open via apertaevents.com/canford. Each car is reviewed by the Aperta team — selection is based on rarity, significance, condition and suitability. There is no guaranteed place, which is what makes it one of the most coveted display opportunities on the South Coast calendar.
What cars appeared on the Sunken Lawn at Canford 2025?
In 2025, the Sunken Lawn featured an exceptional line-up including two Ferrari F40s, a Koenigsegg CCX, multiple Ferrari F12tdfs, the Aston Martin Valour, a McLaren 650S GT3, Lamborghini Countach, Lamborghini Aventador SVJ, Lamborghini STO, McLaren 620R, Porsche 911 S/T, Ferrari Testarossa and a Porsche 911 GT3 RS. The bar for 2026 has been set even higher.
Where can I buy tickets for Canford Classic & Supercar Sunday 2026?
Tickets are available now at apertaevents.com/tickets/canford-2026. Early booking is strongly recommended — the event is expected to sell out.
Useful links: Canford 2026 | Display Your Car | Buy Tickets