12 of the Best Car Museums in UK

There are numerous car museums in UK showcasing Britain’s rich automotive heritage. They hold everything from vintage British classics to racing legends and international icons.

British auto industry took off during the industrial revolution with iconic brands like Rolls Royce, Bentley, Austin Martin, MG, Lotus, Jaguar and many others. The car museums in UK not only display the long history of British automotive industry but also from all over the world.

Here is a list of the 12 best car museums in UK that are a must visit for every auto enthusiast while being in UK. These museums also make for a great family day trip as they also feature many interactive exhibits, car races, and other events.

British Motor Museum

Started in 1993
Over 400 vehicles and other exhibits
Display area: – sq. m.

This museum boasts the world’s largest collection of historic British cars spanning over the classic, vintage and veteran eras. The museum tells the story of the birth, decline and rebirth of the motor industry in the UK.

Timing: Daily, 10.00 am to 5.00 pm
Pricing: GBP 20 for adults, GBP 10 for children (5-16), and Free for children under 5 years
Location: Banbury Road, Gaydon, Warwickshire – UK
https://www.britishmotormuseum.co.uk/

Haynes Motor Museum

Started in 1985
Over 300 vehicles and other exhibits
Display area: – sq. m.

The Haynes Motor Museum is home to UK’s largest collection of cars and motorcycles, with over 300 vehicles from around the world. It helps preserve and share the history of automobiles for future generations.

Timing: Daily, 10.00 am to 4.30 pm
Pricing: GBP 24 for adults, GBP 14 for children (4-16), and Free for children under 4 years
Location: Sparkford, Somerset – UK
https://www.haynesmuseum.org/

National Motor Museum

Started in 1972
Over 300 vehicles and other exhibits
Display area: – sq. m.

The world-famous National Motor Museum boasts one of the finest collections of vehicles and motoring memorabilia from the earliest motor carriages to classic family saloons. The museum aims to promote education, research and conserve the motoring history.

Timing: Daily, 10.00 am to 5.00 pm
Pricing: GBP 30 for adults, GBP 18.50 for children (4-16), and Free for children under 4 years
Location: Beaulieu, Brockenhurst, Hampshire – UK
https://nationalmotormuseum.org.uk/

Coventry Transport Museum

Started in 1980
Over 250 vehicles and 150 motorcycles
Display area: – sq. m.

The exhibits were previously housed at the Herbert Art Gallery and Museum and as the collection grew, it was then moved to its current location. The Museum’s current collection of vehicles is acknowledged as being one of the finest in the world, and the largest in public ownership. Its collection consists of motor cars, commercial vehicles, cycles and motorcycles.

Timing: Tuesday to Sunday, 10.00 am to 5.00 pm
Pricing: GBP 12.50 for adults, GBP 9 for children (4-16), and Free for children under 4 years
Location: Millennium Place, Hales Street, Coventry – UK
https://www.transport-museum.com/

Great British Car Journey

Started in 2021
Over 150 vehicles and other exhibits
Display area: – sq. m.

The museum boasts an interactive journey through the British car past through carefully chosen selection of cars which had a significant impact on the automotive industry. The collection covers vehicles from Austin, MG, Morris, Bristol, Jaguar, Daimler, Rover, Bentley, Rolls Royce and more.

Timing: Daily, 10.00 am to 4.00 pm
Pricing: GBP 19.50 for adults, GBP 9.50 for children (5-16), and Free for children under 5 years
Location: Derwent Works, Ambergate, Derbyshire – UK
https://greatbritishcarjourney.com/

Mercedes-Benz World

Started in 2006
Over 100 vehicles
Display area: – sq. m.

The Mercedes-Benz World is located at the historic Brooklands motor racing circuit and adjacent to the Brooklands Museum and the London Bus Museum. The vehicles on display showcase the rich history and heritage of Mercedes-Benz. One can also book a ride in an AMG on the circuit or just race on a simulator.

Timing: Daily, 10.00 am to 6.00 pm
Pricing: GBP 4 for adults, Free for children under 8 yrs
Location: Brooklands Drive, Weybridge , Surrey – UK
https://www.mercedes-benzworld.co.uk/

Lakeland Motor Museum

Started in 1978
Over 150 vehicles, 100 motorcycles and other exhibits
Display area: – sq. m.

At the Lakeland Motor Museum, one can witness the evolution of transport, from vintage classics to modern marvels. One can also walk down the street and explore some of the historic Lakeland industries.

Timing: Daily, 9.30 am to 5.30 pm
Pricing: GBP 12.50 for adults, GBP 7.50 for children (5-16), and Free for children under 5 years
Location: Old Blue Mill, Backbarrow, Newby Bridge – UK
https://www.lakelandmotormuseum.co.uk/

Brooklands Museum

Started in 1991
Over 200 vehicles and aircrafts
Display area: – sq. m.

Brooklands Museum’s collection covers over a century of motoring and aviation history with over 50,000 objects, vintage vehicles, and aircrafts. Explore icons like the Concorde and the Wellington Bomber. Its collection reflects the important role Brooklands played in British motorsport and aviation.

Timing: Daily, 10.00 am to 5.00 pm
Pricing: GBP 24 for adults, GBP 10 for children (4-16), and Free for children under 4 years
Location: Weybridge, Surrey – UK
https://www.brooklandsmuseum.com/

Aston Martin Heritage Trust Museum

Started in 1998
Over 50 vehicles and other exhibits
Display area: – sq. m.

The museum houses the collections of the Aston Martin Heritage Trust which tells the story of over 110 years of Aston Martin. The vehicle collection ranges from A3 – the oldest surviving Aston Martin in the world – through definitive models from every era to cars of today.

Timing: Monday to Friday, 10.00 am to 4.00 pm
Pricing: GBP 10 for adults, GBP 7 for children (6-16), and Free for children under 6 years
Location: Drayton St Leonard, Wallingford, Oxfordshire – UK
https://amht.org.uk/

British Commercial Vehicle Museum

Started in 1983
Around 100 vehicles
Display area: – sq. m.

The museum building was formerly part of Leyland Motors and was transformed into a Museum in 1983. It aims to preserve for future generations, commercial vehicles and related archive material of special significance which were designed and produced by British manufacturers. There are some antique and modern cars too.

Timing: Wednesday to Sunday 10.00 am – 4.30 pm
Pricing: GBP 12 for adults, GBP 6 for children (4-16), and Free for children under 4 years
Location: King Street, Leyland, Lancashire – UK
https://www.britishcommercialvehiclemuseum.com/

Ipswich Transport Museum

Started in 1989
Around 100 vehicles and other exhibits
Display area: – sq. m.

The museum building was built in 1936 and was a former Ipswich Corporation Transport trolleybus depot. Ipswich Transport Museum has a collection of over 100 major transport and engineering objects which were made or used in the Ipswich area. It showcases buses, lorries, fire engines, fork lift trucks, police cars, and even a funeral hearse.

Timing: Only on Sunday 11 am to 4 pm and during school holidays 1 pm to 4 pm
Pricing: GBP 12 for adults, GBP 6 for children
Location: Old Trolleybus Depot, Cobham Rd, Ipswich – UK
https://www.ipswichtransportmuseum.co.uk/

Shuttleworth Collection

Started in 1928
Around 100 aircrafts, vehicles and other exhibits
Display area: – sq. m.

Probably the only museum where you can fly in. It has a runway and six hangers. The Shuttleworth Collection has a treasure of airworthy vintage aircraft from 1909-1950, agricultural and steam exhibits, vintage buses, classic cars and motorcycles. The Shuttleworth Collection also emphasis on restoring as many aircraft as possible to flying condition. Among its collection is a 1909 Blériot XI which is the World’s oldest airworthy aircraft as of now.

Timing: Daily, 10.00 am to 4.00 pm
Pricing: GBP 19.50 for adults, Free for children under 18 yrs (Tickets valid for a month)
Location: Shuttleworth, Alder Drive Biggleswade, Bedfordshire – UK
https://www.shuttleworth.org/

Best Car Museums in UK : In short

These car museums in UK offer something for everyone—whether are an auto enthusiasts or someone interested in technology, design, history or culture. These museums offer a thrilling journey through the rich automotive history, especially of Britain.

Also when checking for car museums near me while being in UK, do check out the museum websites and local travel sites for bookings, up-to-date timings, promotional ticket prices, special exhibitions, and if there are any temporary closures.

So, which museum would you visit first? 🚗💨