Hesketh Motorcycles was originally formed by Alexander, 3rd Lord Hesketh, in 1980 and for a time the company was based at his country estate at Easton Neston. He was probably better known for his private motor racing team, which gave James Hunt his first taste of success in Formula 1™. During the early part of the 80s the company produced the V1000 and Vampire models, before ceasing full production in 1984. Limited production was maintained until the company was acquired by Paul Sleeman in in 2010.
Production was moved from Nothamptonshire to Surrey, where a new showroom and specialist workshop was opened in affluent Kingswood, near Redhill. In 2012, Paul created the Kingswood V1000, of which only five bespoke machines were produced. With the original V1000 and Vampire models finally ceasing production after 32 years, Hesketh Motorcycles announced an all-new limited edition bike to be called the Hesketh 24. They have since added a further model called the Sonnet.