The steam rally was first organised by Len Murray and held at Lower Green Farm, Sotterley.

Given the numbers of attendees, and with the support of John Rous, 4th Earl of Stradbroke, the event moved to Henham Park in 1975.

[4] In 2018, profits went to the UK Sepsis Trust, East Anglian Air Ambulance, Wrentham Community First Responders, SERV Suffolk and Cambridgeshire and Southwold Lifeboat Station.

[5] In 2019, recipients included Wangford and District Community Council, Southwold (Sole Bay) Lions Club, Parochial Church Councils of Sotherton, Wangford cum Henham and Uggeshall, Lowestoft and Waveney Samaritans, National Trust Dunwich Heath and Beccles and District Guides.

[1] The 2020 rally was to have included more than 30 full size and miniature traction engines, steam rollers, lorries and cars.

[3] On 3 July 2020 it was decided to cancel the 46th Grand Henham Steam Rally, which was to have been held on 19–20 September 2020, due to government restrictions on large events.