Name: Cotswold Motoring Museum
Rating: 5.0

Cotswold Motoring Museum

Cotswold Motoring Museum, Sherborne Street, Bourton-on-the-Water, Cheltenham GL54 2BY, UK

1-99 Years

Paid

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Description

The Cotswold Motoring Museum is a fascinating attraction in Bourton-on-the-Water that showcases the history of 20th-century motoring. Spread across seven showrooms, it features a wide collection of vintage vehicles, classic memorabilia and nostalgic displays. It offers a fun and engaging day out for visitors of all ages in a picturesque village setting.

Visitors can explore galleries such as the Mill Gallery, Blacksmith’s Workshop, Windrush Alley, Jack Lake’s Garage and Paved Paradise. The museum includes collections of classic cars, over 45 motorbikes, caravans, bicycles, toys, memorabilia and vintage items, along with children’s TV character Brum. Additional attractions include the Toy Collection, Motorbike Collection, Memorabilia Collection and Vintage Collection, offering a complete journey through motoring history.

Ticket prices are £9.95 for adults, £6.95 for children aged 5–16, FREE for children under 5, £27.00 for a family ticket (2 adults & 2 children), and £8.95 for group visits. Overall, the Cotswold Motoring Museum offers a nostalgic and educational experience filled with classic vehicles and historic displays. With its wide range of exhibits and family-friendly atmosphere, it appeals to both car enthusiasts and casual visitors. It is an ideal place to explore motoring history while enjoying a unique and memorable day out.

Features

Paid
Host birthday parties: No

Features

Mill Gallery: Mill Gallery is bulging with great vehicles, quaint caravans, motoring curiosities and nostalgic enamel signs. Everywhere you look you’ll see classic motoring memorabilia. You’ll find children’s TV star Brum here too. He lives in the museum and it’s from here that he headed out on every one of his exciting adventures. And don’t forget your camera – Brum loves having his photo taken!
Blacksmith’s workshop: Travel back in time as you stroll through an authentic blacksmith’s workshop and take in the sounds and smells of a world that was rapidly moving away from the four legged horse and towards the new and exciting age of motoring. Blacksmiths go way back – one of the most famous names in the field, Alldays & Onions, features on the bellows and brazier in our workshop.
Windrush Alley: A chance to take an enchanting look at the world of motoring from street level, Windrush Alley is a place where 19th-century bikes like the boneshaker, penny-farthing and safety bicycle share the road with a horsedrawn carriage and cars. Motorsport makes a muddy splash with a 1964 MG 1100 and a Levis motorcycle from the days of motorcycle football, a sport which originated in the 1920s and at one time attracted thousands of spectators.
Jack Lake’s Garage: This is a lovingly put-together recreation of one of those small country garages that opened up and down the land to serve the needs of the early motorist. It’s a captivating story, told by Bourton-on-the-Water’s very own pioneer mechanic, Jack Lake. Jack was born just outside Bourton in 1891. A photo in the museum shows him in 1916 in a French car called a Darracq while he was working as a chauffeur for the local GP.
Paved Paradise: Enter a world of retro cool as we spin you back to the funky 1960s and 70s. Keep your eyes peeled for a host of nostalgic surprises.
Motorbike Collection: As part of our vehicle collection we also have several motorcycles and scooters. One of the more intriguing bikes in the collection is a 1924 Levis, which was used for motorcyle football, a popular sport back in the day which often attracted crowds of over 10,000 supporters. Our Levis belonged to Harold Breach, a well-known player for Gloucester. A new exhibition about motorcycle football is planned for our new gallery.
Toy Collection: This wonderful toy collection is a true expression of our passion for travel over the years. From old favourites from time gone by to more modern items, you’ll be transported back to your childhood with this great display of toys and games. We have a huge selection of pedal cars, bicycles and aeroplanes – even a pedal-snail! Some of the toys were made lovingly at home by parents, while others were one-offs produced by manufacturers with their intricate details based on real cars.
Memorabilia Collection: The museum is packed to the rafters with memorabilia from years gone by, with everything from motoring-related items to vintage Art Deco and a few surprises along the way. There are display cases crammed with practical items like spark plugs, brake-fluid tins and carbide pots, to name just a few, and we have a whole range of free gifts from companies like Esso and BP, who in their time gave out everything from pen-knives and children’s games to smoking kits and playing cards to advertise themselves.
Vintage Collection: Alongside the museum’s motoring showcase, we have a large collection of collectables, vintage clothing, cameras and picnic and crockery sets, including our 1920s Art Deco racing-car teapots. This eclectic collection also includes the glass globes which used to light up manufacturer’s logos atop petrol pumps, hand-operated pumps, brightly coloured petrol cans, a canoe, gramophones, televisions, model aeroplanes and a plethora of cycles from tandems to circus bikes hanging above your head.

Facilities

Parking: The Rissington Road Car Park is the most convenient. It is a short, flat walk to the museum entrance.
Food Options: While the museum doesn't have an internal café, it is surrounded by family-friendly spots in the village.
Toilets: Available on-site for museum visitors.
Gift Shop: Stocks a wide range of motoring-themed gifts and traditional toys.
Buggy Parking: Space is available, though some showrooms can be narrow.

What to see

Beyond the Main Attraction

The Model Village: A 1/9th scale replica of Bourton-on-the-Water, just a short walk away.
Birdland Park & Gardens: Home to hundreds of birds and a "Jurassic Journey" dinosaur trail.
Riverside Walks: Enjoy a gentle stroll along the River Windrush, which runs right past the museum.

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Price

Price: Paid

Price Details

Adult: £9.95
Children (5-16): £6.95
Child (Under 5): FREE
Family Ticket (2 Adults & 2 Children): £27.00
Group visits: £8.95 per person

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

Birthday Parties

Offer Birthday Parties: No

Museum and Gift Shop open daily 10am - 6pm & Last admission to museum at 5:15pm.

Address: Cotswold Motoring Museum, Sherborne Street, Bourton-on-the-Water, Cheltenham GL54 2BY, UK

Post Code: GL54 2BY

Council: Cotswold

County: Gloucestershire

By Car: We are located in the heart of Bourton-on-the-Water, which is just off the A429 about half way between the A40 and Stow-on-the-Wold. There are several places to park in Bourton-on-the-Water. If you follow the signs to the village centre, the museum is situated on Sherborne Street, which is adjacent to the war memorial on the village green.
By Bus: There are buses from Bourton to the main towns and Moreton-in-Marsh for rail connections, but they are not very regular and timetables change between summer and winter.
By Train: Regular services run to nearby stations at: Kingham – 5 miles from Bourton / Shipton – 7 miles from Bourton / Moreton-in-Marsh – 8 miles from Bourton.
Parking: The Rissington Road Car Park is the most convenient. It is a short, flat walk to the museum entrance.