Things to Do
Bangers & Cash: visiting Mathewsons
If you know the North York Moors from the television, you probably know it as the home of Bangers & Cash. The hit series follows the Mathewson family's classic-car auction business in the village of Thornton-le-Dale, and it has put this corner of Yorkshire firmly on the enthusiast's map. Here's how to visit for real.
Mathewsons' auction showroom on the main street through Thornton-le-Dale — the real-life setting of TV's Bangers & Cash.
Tucked into the pretty village of Thornton-le-Dale on the southern edge of the North York Moors, Mathewsons Classic Cars is one of Yorkshire's most unlikely television stars. The family-run auction house is the setting for the hit channel U&Yesterday series Bangers & Cash, which follows Derek Mathewson and his sons as they unearth, restore and sell classic cars, motorcycles and motoring memorabilia from across the country. For classic-car enthusiasts visiting the Thornton-le-Dale area, a stop at Mathewsons is a genuine highlight — a chance to browse rows of automotive history, from rare pre-war saloons to barn-find motorbikes, right in the heart of the Yorkshire Moors.
You don't need to be a bidder to enjoy it. The business opens its doors to the public during dedicated viewing periods ahead of each sale, when hundreds of vehicles and lots of automobilia are laid out for anyone to wander among, free of charge. There's also a small museum of cars from Derek's own collection and a gift shop, plus the annual Mathewsons Live auction that throws the doors wide open for a full in-person sale. Whether you're planning a day trip from Pickering, combining it with a ride on the North Yorkshire Moors Railway, or looking for a base nearby, this guide explains exactly how to visit, when to come, and what you'll see.
What it is
Mathewsons is a long-established, family-run auction house dealing in classic cars, motorcycles and motoring memorabilia, run by Derek Mathewson and his sons. Bangers & Cash, which began in 2019, follows the business — the finds, the stories and the sales — and airs on U&Yesterday with catch-up on UKTV Play, plus the spin-off Restoring Classics.
Visiting the auction viewing
The best time to come is during the public viewing period — roughly the week before each auction — when hundreds of vehicles and memorabilia lots are on display at the Pickering site and you can browse at your own pace. A few things to know: you sign in at reception and wear a hi-vis vest in the showrooms; under-16s, pets and handbags aren't allowed in the viewing halls; and a free coach service links Pickering, the showrooms and Thornton-le-Dale during viewing. Note that the auction days themselves are held behind closed doors and aren't open to the public — bidding is by phone, internet and commission — so time your visit for the viewing days, not the sale. Auction dates are published on the Mathewsons website.
The museum and gift shop
In Thornton-le-Dale itself, the Mathewsons museum displays vehicles from Derek's personal collection, and the gift shop is stocked with souvenirs and memorabilia. Opening can vary, so it's worth checking ahead. There's often a knot of visitors admiring whatever is parked on the courtyard.
The live auction
Once a year, Mathewsons Live throws the doors open for a proper in-person live auction — classic cars, motorbikes and memorabilia under the hammer with the family on stage and thousands of spectators. If you want the full Bangers & Cash atmosphere rather than a quiet viewing day, this is the one to aim for. Check the website for dates.
A natural base
Thornton-le-Dale is minutes away, so the surrounding villages make an ideal base for a viewing or sale day. Our where to stay guide features Allerston Cottage, a classic-car-themed cottage minutes from Mathewsons.