Author: Nathan Chadwick
Images: Museums
British Motor Museum
Where: Gaydon, Warwickshire
The world’s largest collection of historic British cars, with more than 400 vehicles on display from the British Motor Industry Heritage Trust and the Jaguar Heritage Trust. There are plenty of themed displays and special events throughout the year, plus car club get togethers and, thanks to a vast historical record, classic car owners can apply for a heritage certificate. There’s also an extensive film and photo library too, telling the world-leading story of Britain’s automotive story.
Find out more: www.britishmotormuseum.co.uk
National Motor Museum
Where: Beaulieu, Hampshire
Founded in 1972, the National Motor Museum brings together more than 280 vehicles, from legendary F1 cars and Land Speed record breakers to roadgoing pioneers. The Streets Ahead permanent display showcases a street scene from decades following the Second World War when Britain underwent a period of rapid social, cultural, and economic change, showing artefacts from its extensive motoring collections and enables a view of social history using the prism of vehicles from the era. The museum also hosts many themed shows under its Simply banner, and hosts the internationally famous autojumble.
Find out more: www.nationalmotormuseum.org.uk
Coventry Transport Museum
Where: Coventry
Coventry Transport Museum houses the largest publicly owned collection of British vehicles on the planet and tells the story of a city which changed the world through transport. Weaving a narrative through 14 galleries, you can expect to see the full spectrum of the history of mobility, from bicycles and buses, to the world’s fastest vehicle.
The museum also has an extensive collection of automobilia, books, photographs and archives material, much of which has been donated. There are several dedicated special events and displays throughout the year.
Find out more: www.transport-museum.com
Great British Car Journey
Where: Ambergate, Derbyshire
This interactive nostalgic journey celebrates an era when British entrepreneurs and engineers were at the forefront of a transport revolution, a reminder of when the British motor industry was a worldwide force, and its products could be found in all corners of the globe. The story begins in the 1920s, and brings us to the new millennium. You can expect to see 130 great British cars, from the Austin Seven to the Metro and beyond.
The museum is living history too – the Drive Dad’s Car initiative allows you to get behind the wheel of a variety of classic cars. The museum hosts several events over the course of the year.
Find out more: https://greatbritishcarjourney.com
Silverstone Museum
Where: Silverstone Circuit, Northamptonshire
Silverstone is internationally renowned as the home of British motorsport in the post-war era, and this former Second World War RAF hangar is now home to the British Racing Drivers Club archive.
Silverstone has played host to the world’s finest racing talent on four and two wheels – and much more besides – so there’s plenty to see. You can also book a guided bus tour of the circuit
Find out more: www.silverstonemuseum.co.uk
Aston Martin Heritage Trust Museum
Where: Drayton Saint Leonard, Oxfordshire
Learn the fascinating story of one of Britain’s favourite brands, with 110 years of history. The car collection rotates regularly, but you’ll get to see spectacular one-offs, a scale model collection, engines, trophies, racing memorabilia and more.
The Aston Martin Heritage Trust also holds the largest collection of Aston Martin records in the world, with a wealth of material that can help owners research their car, and thus issue heritage certificates. A must-see for Aston aficionados, but entry is via pre-booking only.
Find out more: https://amht.org.uk
Brooklands Museum
Where: Weybridge, Surrey
The original home of British motorsport is the historic Brooklands. You can learn how the early pioneers of motorsport forged the legends around the challenging banked circuit, and developed the cars around the circuit via a community of drivers, engineers, tuners, mechanics and other racing specialists. Explore the clubhouse and paddock, recreated workshops and the race track.
You can also take in Brooklands’ important role in aviation history with the Brookland Aircraft Factory, and take a trip on to Concorde. Brooklands hosts several events throughout the year, catering to every motoring niche.
Find out more: www.brooklandsmuseum.com
Lakeland Motor Museum
Where: Backbarrow, Cumbria
More than a car museum, the Lakeland Motor Museum is a narrative journey through social history as well as cars. However, the motoring side is definitely worth a visit, with Campbell Bluebird displays, a tribute to the Isle of Man TT, an exhibition of Vincent motorcycles and vintage pedal cars and cycles. There’s also a tribute to World War Two, a 1920s garage and a 1950s café.
Find out more: www.lakelandmotormuseum.co.uk
Grampian Transport Museum
Where: Alford, Aberdeenshire
Located just 45 minutes away from Aberdeen, the Grampian Transport Museum offers a diverse range of vehicles from a Grampian Police Rover SD1 to a Sentinel Steam Waggon, and everything in between.
You can also expect to see exhibitions dedicated to TT racer Guy Martin, the history of the Scottish motor industry and more besides.
Find out more: www.gtm.org.uk
Shuttleworth Collection
Where: Biggleswade, Bedfordshire
The Shuttleworth Collection not only displays airworthy vintage aircraft from 1909-1950, agricultural and steam machines, motorcycles, bicycles, carriages, and buses – but it also has a fleet of classic cars too.
You can expect to see vehicles of all shapes and sizes being used, thanks to the concerted efforts of the museum’s volunteers. There are air shows and classic car meetings during the year, and for a chance to calm down there’s the beautiful gardens to take in too.
Find out more: www.shuttleworth.org
Cotswold Motor Museum
Where: Bourton-on-the-Water, Gloucestershire
With 40 cars on display, the Cotswold Motoring Museum pays tribute to an era when transport was a hobby, not a necessity. There’s a recreation of a garage that dates back to the 1800s, a blacksmith and a toy museum.
You can also see classic caravans and motorbikes, and fascinating memorabilia. There’s even a real AA box.
Find out more: www.cotswoldmotoringmuseum.co.uk
Myreton Motor Museum
Where: Aberlady, East Lothian
Founded in 1966, the Myreton Museum displays a huge collection of cars, bicycles, motorcycles and commercial vehicles dating as far back as 1899.
There’s also a vast collection of period advertising, posters, toy and enamel signs, and more besides.
Find out more: www.myretonmotormuseum.co.uk
Haynes Motor Museum
Where: Sparkford, Somerset
Originally set up to house John Haynes’ growing collection of cars, the collection’s remit now spreads the globe. You can see rallying royalty line up next to full-sized American classics, British roadsters and Italian supercars.
There’s plenty of activities throughout the year, such as the Breakfast Club meets, talks and more, and Haynes Heritage Engineering is on hand if your pride and joy needs some attention.
Find out more: www.haynesmuseum.org
Moray Motor Museum
Where: Elgin, Moray
Located in an old mill building dating back to the cathedral, this museum had a delightful collection of veteran, vintage and classic cars.
There’s also a big collection of motorcycles, toys and automobilia. Car-wise, you can expect to see vintage Jaguars, Rolls-Royces and Bentleys, with post-war highlights including a Tojeiro-Ford and a Lagonda V12.
Find out more: www.moraymotormuseum.org
Mercedes-Benz World
Where: Weybridge, Surrey
If you have a love for the Three-Pointed Star, Mercedes-Benz World is a dreamlike destination. There’s a chance to learn about the history of Mercedes-Benz, its current range, and the innovations and motor racing success.
If you fancy getting behind the wheel yourself, there’s a chance to indulge in on-track and off-road tuition, and a lot more besides.
Find out more: www.mercedes-benzworld.co.uk
Bo’Ness Motor Museum
Where: Bo’Ness, Falkirk
Lovers of James Bond will delight in the memorabilia and cars on offer here, but there’s plenty to enjoy beyond the remit of Britain’s foremost secret agent.
You’ll find other cars and props from the likes of Harry Potter, the 51st State, the Return of the Saint and much more.
Find out more: bonessmotormuseum.co.uk
Caister Castle Car Collection
Where: Caister-on-Sea, Great Yarmouth
With more than 120 cars and 100 bikes on display, this huge collection is believed to be the largest privately owned collection open to the public.
In addition to vehicles such as an 1893 Panhard et Levassor, a Jim Clark Lotus, Peter Rachman’s Cadillac and the very first Ford Fiesta, you can see displays of bicycles, horse-drawn vehicles, baby carriages, pedal cars and more.
Find out more: https://www.caistercastle.co.uk/motor-museum
Anglesey Transport Museum/Tacla Taid
Where: Anglesey, Wales
With 120 vehicles, an extensive Land Rover collection and stunning scenery, this museum is a Welsh gem. The story begins in the 1920s, and encapsulates cars, motorbikes, tractors, military vehicles and even a plane.
The museum hosts classic cars and special events, so is well worth a visit during a Welsh driving tour.
Find out more: https://angleseytransportmuseum.co.uk
Jim Clark Motorsport Museum
Where: Duns, Berwickshire
Jim Clark was one of the world’s greatest racing drivers, coming from farming roots to become the foremost racing driver of the 1960s. Containing a vast archive of material, films, trophies and racing cars, this is a must for motorsport lovers.
You’ll be able to see a Jaguar D-Type in which Jim competed for the Borders Reivers in many sports car events during 1958; a Lotus Cortina he used in the British Saloon Car Championship of 1965; and the Lotus 38 which Jim took to Japan in 1966 then drove at the Indy 500 in 1967.
Find out more: https://jimclarktrust.com
Do you have any memories from any of the museums mentioned above? We would love to hear at hdc@hagerty.co.uk..