SOUTH Somerset is set to be invaded by tractors on New Year’s Day – but all for a good cause.
The annual New Year’s Day Road Run will see dozens of vehicles take to the roads in towns and villages across the district, while raising money for the Air Ambulance and farming mental health charity, Farmerados.
Tractors will gather at Thorney Lakes before hitting the road at 11am, taking in Huish Episcopi, South Petherton, Langport, Drayton and more during the day-long trip.
What is the route of the New Year’s Day Road Run in Somerset?
The convoy will leave Thorney Lakes at 11am and head south, passing through the following:
- Kingsbury Episcopi
- Stembridge
- New Cross
- East Lambrook
- South Petherton – Silver Street, St James Street & West Street
- Lopenhead
- Lopen
- Merriot – Broadway & Lower Street
- A356
- Holy Tree
- Stoke-Sub-Hamdon – West Street & North Street
- Martock – Church Street to Foldhill Lane
The tractors will then break for around an hour at Ashway Park, before resuming and heading to:
- Ash
- Stapleton
- Long Load
- Long Sutton
- Pibsbury
- Huish Episcopi
- Langport
- Drayton
- Muchelney
- And back to Thorney Lakes
What time will I be able to see the New Year’s Day Road Run in Somerset?
Organisers said they are unable to provide timings for the run, but will be operating a live tracker system in the day, allowing people to see where the convoy is.
The Somerset Tractor Runners will also be updating social media regularly to inform people of progress.
The route of the 2026 New Year’s Day tractor run in South Somerset
How did the somerset Tractor Runners come about?
The New Year’s Day Road Run event – which last year featured more than 100 vehicles – is organised by Somerset Tractor Runners, which was established during the Covid lockdown in 2020, when a lady posted on Facebook asking if any vintage tractor owners could drive past the Wessex House Care Home in Somerton for Father’s Day to brighten the day for elderly farmers who couldn’t see their families.
Inspired by the post, Nick Gilliam, Zachary Anderson, Charlotte England, and Zac Drayton came together to create Somerset Tractor Runners.
The quartet, all passionate members of the vintage tractor community, they are also committee members of the local Yesterday’s Farming event.
Now, the Runners boast an online community of more than 3,700 enthusiasts, staging a host of tractor runs across Somerset.
“We are also strongly supported by the community while on our routes, with many people coming out to wave to the spectacular convoy of tractors,” a spokesperson said.
As well as providing a joyous spectacle for spectators on route, the group has raised more than £11,000 for causes including Kingsbury Episcopi Primary School, RABI, Dementia UK, and Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance.
This year will see money donated to Farmerados, which seeks to improve the mental health of farmers, and the Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance.
“Both charities are deeply connected to the rural lifestyle that Somerset Tractor Runners celebrates, and we are honoured to give back to the communities and causes that mean so much to us and our supporters,” the spokesperson added.
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Got stuck behind the things a couple of weeks ago on my way home from work after a 12 hour shift. Proceeded at walking pace for miles and overheated my engine. Not happy at all.