Best car museums to visit in the UK

There are some superb motoring museums in the United Kingdom, so we’ve gathered together this list to help you plan a day trip or two. Whether you’re looking for a broad selection of models or something much more specific, take a look at the suggestions below.

British Motor Museum

Gaydon, Warwickshire

This purpose-built site houses some fantastic models from across the ages, all linked to the British automotive industry. Sports cars, film stars, military vehicles, record holders… they’re all on show, with plenty to attract children and adults alike. Plus, Vauxhall’s heritage collection is situated within the museum, and Jaguar’s heritage trust has a base in Gaydon.

https://www.britishmotormuseum.co.uk/

National Motor Museum

Beaulieu, Hampshire

Located on Lord Montagu’s Beaulieu estate in the New Forest, the National Motor Museum is another attraction that covers a broad church of interests. Once again, cars that have graced film and TV productions, racing legends, and models from the recent past all the way back to the dawn of motoring are on display – all situated in the surrounds of the beautiful Beaulieu estate.

https://nationalmotormuseum.org.uk/

Brooklands Museum

Weybridge, Surrey

Thanks to Brooklands’ unique heritage, this motoring museum is also an aviation museum – two interests for the price of one. Combining the heritage of one of the world’s oldest purpose-built motor racing venues as well as an early hub for aircraft development, Brooklands particularly highlights the early racing machines that ran – and often soared – around the famous banking.

https://www.brooklandsmuseum.com/

Lakeland Motor Museum

Ulverston, Cumbria

With more than 30,000 exhibits, the Lakeland Motor Museum has vehicles of all eras and backgrounds on display. The Lake District-located venue pays particular focus on the Speed Kings however, with tributes paid to father-and-son Campbells, Sir Malcom and Donald, who captured more than 20 world land and water speed records in Bluebird machines.

https://www.visitcumbria.com/sl/lakeland-motor-museum/

Haynes Motor Museum

Sparkford, Somerset

Established by John Haynes – who pioneered the Haynes Publishing Group – his love of cars and related automobilia was almost inevitably going to grow so large that it would require their own museum. Situated at a former US Second World War munitions depot, the Haynes museum has models from through the decades, as well as specific areas, and is a great family-friendly venue.

https://www.haynesmuseum.org/

National Motorcycle Museum

Solihull, West Midlands

Holding the largest collection of British motorcycles in the world, the National Motorcycle Museum has more than 1,000 models from across 170 different manufacturers in five large halls. With road and racing bikes on display, from across six decades of heritage. A must for any motorbike fan.

https://www.nationalmotorcyclemuseum.co.uk/

Morgan Motor Company

Malvern, Worcestershire

Not actually a museum, and instead a working factory, Morgan’s long heritage of manufacturing cars in Malvern means that not only are factory tours available, but also a good selection of models past and present. Whether an established fan of the British marque, or just interested in cars, it’s worth a visit, seeing the combination of vintage and ultra-modern manufacturing methods used.

https://morgan-motor.com/

Coventry Transport Museum

Coventry, Warwickshire

Pitched as the largest collection of publicly-owned British vehicles in the world, this museum celebrates the city’s famous link with the motor industry. Fourteen galleries showcase pioneering bicycles, and vehicles from the last 200 years – as well as home to World Record Holder Thrust SSC.

https://www.transport-museum.com/

Jim Clark Motorsport Museum

Duns, Scottish Boarders

Widely-regarded as one of the best, and certainly one of the most versatile and successful, racing drivers of all time, Jim Clark never moved on from his home in the Scottish Borders where the museum now resides. Telling his story, as well as that of the cars that he raced, the stars are those models such as the Lotus 38, Jaguar D-Type, and Lotus Cortina.

https://jimclarktrust.com/jim-clark-motorsport-museum/

Cotswold Motoring Museum

Bourton-on-the-Water, Gloucestershire

Located in picturesque Bourton-on-the-Water, the Cotswold Motor Museum is a little treasure trove of 20^th century motoring. The collection was gathered together by Mike Cavanagh, who amassed a substantial collection over 20 years living in South Africa. When he returned, he brought his collection with him. Although the classic cars on display warrant fame of their own volition, some will recognise the museum as the home of children’s TV show Brum.

https://www.cotswoldmotoringmuseum.co.uk/

Whether you’re lost as to what to do on an unexpectedly free day, or you want to plan in some trips to a fine establishment that is both educational and fascinating, this list of vehicle museums in the UK should help as a guide for your next day out!