The Best Motor Museums in the UK

12 of the best motoring museums in the UK

These great motoring museums offer a fascinating insight into the history and evolution of motoring in the UK, making them must-visit destinations for enthusiasts and history buffs alike on a road trip.

1. British Motor Museum (Warwickshire):

The British Motor Museum is a must-see if you want to know how British cars have changed throughout the years. The museum features the biggest collection of old British vehicles in the world. It has early prototypes and well-known models, including the Austin Healey, the Land Rover Defender, and the Mini Cooper. Thematically designed displays, design sketches, and interactive displays all help bring each time period to life.

Everyone will have a nice time there. There are hands-on activities for families, while automobile lovers will adore the rare concept cars and one-of-a-kind models. This museum is an excellent place to stop on your road trip because it has a lot of room and helpful staff. Combine a visit to the British Motor Museum with a detour from either the Classic Cotswolds Road Trip Online Travel Guide and Malvern, The Vale and Herefordshire’s Black & White Trail - Online Travel Guide.

2. Beaulieu National Motor Museum (Hampshire):

The National Motor Museum is located in the beautiful and historic Beaulieu estate in the New Forest. It has a completely different feel, with a mix of a grand country setting and an immersive motoring showcase. There are more than 250 cars on display, including classic models, early motoring oddities, record-breaking cars, and modern Formula 1 cars. The stories told here are rich and varied, and the exhibits are interesting and bring to life the people, innovations, and daring moments in the history of cars. It's a place where engineering and atmosphere come together, making it a great place to visit for anyone, whether you're a fan, a family, or just interested. Combine a visit to the Beaulieu National Motor Museum with a detour from either the Stonehenge & Wonders of Wiltshire Road Trip Online Travel Guide or the Sussex Heritage Coast Road Trip Online Travel Guide.

3. Coventry Transport Museum (West Midlands):

The Coventry Transport Museum is a great place to learn about Britain's transport history, especially since Coventry was such an important city for car innovation. The museum has the biggest collection of British road vehicles in the world. It has everything from old bicycles and classic cars to buses, motorcycles, and even planes. The exhibits are well thought out, combining old cars with interactive displays that show how transportation affected everyday life, business, and culture. The Land Speed Record gallery is one of the best parts because it shows how exciting world-class engineering can be. This museum is great for both people who love transport and people who are just passing through. Combine a visit to the Coventry Transport Museum with a detour from either the Classic Cotswolds Road Trip Online Travel Guide and Malvern, The Vale and Herefordshire’s Black & White Trail - Online Travel Guide.

4. Brooklands Museum (Surrey):

The fact that Brooklands Museum is on the world's first purpose-built motor racing circuit gives it a very special atmosphere. As soon as you get there, you can feel the history of speed, innovation, and engineering ambition that made this place famous. The museum shows off the whole history of British cars and planes, from early racing cars and motorcycles to record-breaking machines and sleek old planes.

One of the best things about it is how close you can get to the exhibits. You can walk through the original circuit, look inside the cabins of the planes, and really see how well these machines were made. Brooklands is a great place for anyone who loves stories about engineering pioneers and racing legends because it has a mix of motorsport and aviation history. Combine a visit to the Brooklands Museum with a detour from Sussex Heritage Coast Road Trip Online Travel Guide and Kent Coast Road Trip Online Travel Guide.

5. Lakeland Motor Museum (Cumbria):

The Lakeland Motor Museum is a charming place to visit, especially with the beautiful Lake District behind it. It has a relaxed, beautiful setting and a lot of history about cars, making it a great place to stop on a longer road trip through Cumbria. There's a great variety of classic cars, motorcycles, and bicycles, plus carefully arranged displays of memorabilia and automobilia that show how everyday driving has changed over the years.

The exhibits show the personality of motoring as well as the engineering. They include elegant early touring cars, quirky British models, and beautifully restored bikes. The displays are easy to understand, and there's a café by the river nearby. It's a simple, fun visit that fits perfectly into a Lake District itinerary. Combine a visit to the Lakeland Motor Museum with a detour from the Literary Lake District Road Trip Online Travel Guide and the Cumbrian Coast Road Trip Online Travel Guide.

6. Haynes International Motor Museum (Somerset):

Haynes International Motor Museum is one of those places where you can happily lose track of time. With more than 400 vehicles under one roof, it takes you on an easy-to-follow journey through motoring history, from charming vintage runabouts and post-war family favourites to sleek sports cars and head-turning modern supercars. The themed galleries are laid out in a way that feels inviting rather than overwhelming, so you can wander, linger, and follow your curiosity.

What really makes Haynes feel special is the care that’s gone into every display. The cars are beautifully presented, the stories are clear and engaging, and there’s plenty of space to enjoy each vehicle properly. Whether you’re into engines, design, or simply seeing iconic cars up close, it’s a warm, enjoyable museum that appeals to all kinds of visitors. Combine a visit to the Haynes International Motor Museum with a detour from the Stonehenge & Wonders of Wiltshire Road Trip Online Travel Guide, Classic Cotswolds Road Trip Online Travel Guide and Malvern, The Vale and Herefordshire’s Black & White Trail - Online Travel Guide.

7. National Motorcycle Museum (West Midlands):

The National Motorcycle Museum The National Motorcycle Museum is a dream stop for anyone with even the slightest love of two wheels. Home to one of the largest collections of British motorcycles in the world, it showcases more than 1,000 models — from early pioneers of motorcycling to iconic machines that defined whole eras of British engineering. You’ll find everything from beautifully preserved classics and rare prototypes to racing legends and bikes that changed everyday transport in Britain.

What makes the museum especially enjoyable is the way it brings these bikes to life. The displays are clear and well spaced, and the stories behind each model are easy to follow, whether you’re a seasoned rider or just curious. There’s a real sense of pride in the craftsmanship, innovation, and sheer character of British motorcycles. It’s a fascinating, well-paced museum with plenty to explore, making it a brilliant addition to any road trip. Combine a visit to the Haynes International Motor Museum with a detour from the Malvern, The Vale and Herefordshire’s Black & White Trail - Online Travel Guide.

8. Museum of Transport, Greater Manchester (Greater Manchester)

The Museum of Transport is in an old bus depot and has a lot of old transportation items. You can see buses, trams, trolleybuses, and service vehicles that have been lovingly restored and have a lot of charm. It feels like you're travelling back in time when you go through the halls. You can visualise what life was like on the road with old signage, uniforms, and images from the past. Many of the cars are open for visitors to go inside and picture the trips they had through Manchester's streets. There are always nice volunteers nearby who can tell you tales and provide you information that helps the displays come to life in a personal way. This museum is fun for the whole family and provides you a real look at the area's history of transit. Combine a visit to the Museum of Transport with a detour from the Literary Lake District Road Trip Online Travel Guide, the Peak District Road Trip Online Travel Guide and the Wales’ North Coast Road Trip Online Travel Guide (Wales Way). Also take a look at our Top 12 places to visit in Wales on your road trip blog if you’re heading this way.

9. Transport Museum Wythall (West Midlands)

Transport Museum Wythall is just outside Birmingham. It’s packed with lovingly restored buses, fire engines, milk floats, and early electric vehicles, the kind of everyday machines that once shaped local life but rarely get the attention they deserve. There’s something genuinely nostalgic about standing beside a classic West Midlands double-decker or seeing an old delivery vehicle that looks like it’s ready to head back out on its rounds.

A big part of the charm comes from the volunteers. They’re full of stories, happy to chat, and clearly passionate about keeping this slice of transport history alive. On special event days, some of the old buses even head out for short rides, which adds a brilliant extra layer to the visit. It’s a friendly, down-to-earth museum that feels personal and engaging, making it a lovely stop on a road trip through the region.

10. Grampian Transport Museum (Aberdeenshire)

Grampian Transport Museum is set in the lovely countryside near Alford, it mixes classic vehicles with quirky, unexpected finds — everything from early motorcars and vintage fire engines to experimental prototypes and modern eco-friendly designs. It’s the kind of museum where you can slow your pace, take your time, and enjoy the stories behind each display without feeling rushed or overwhelmed.

People enjoy how involved and hands-on it is here. A lot of the displays want you to get engaged, which is wonderful for families or anyone who learns best by doing. The museum has a lively, friendly feel since the outdoor space typically has seasonal exhibitions and events. If you're driving through Aberdeenshire, this is a great place to stop. It's welcoming, interesting, and full of tiny surprises. Combine a visit to the Grampian Transport Museum with a detour from one of our guides for Scotland road trips. For more inspiration, take a look at our blogs Top 12 places to visit on a Scotland road trip and 14 of the best things to do on Skye.

11. South Yorkshire Motor Museum (South Yorkshire)

The South Yorkshire Transport Museum has a wide range of old buses, service vehicles, classic cars, fire trucks and other everyday vehicles that used to shape life in the area. A lot of the displays have that nice, nostalgic feel that makes you think of old bus routes, school trips, or trips you haven't thought about in a long time.

The volunteers are a big part of what makes it so interesting. They are always happy to talk and tell stories about how these cars were used and lovingly restored. You can take your time and look around at your own pace at this museum. You'll find a lot of little things that you wouldn't see at a bigger, more formal attraction. It's a warm, down-to-earth stop that gives you a real look at the area's transport history if you're driving through South Yorkshire.

Combine a visit to the South Yorkshire Motor Museum with a detour from the Peak District Road Trip Online Travel Guide, the York & North Yorkshire Road Trip Online Travel Guide and the Yorkshire Dales & West Yorkshire Online Travel Guide. For more details and an overview, read our blog The Ultimate Yorkshire Road Trip.

12. The Shuttleworth Collection (Bedfordshire)

The Shuttleworth Collection has a wonderfully calm, nostalgic feel that makes it stand out straight away. Tucked into the countryside at Old Warden, it brings together a charming mix of vintage cars and historic aircraft, the sort of machines you don’t just look at but feel a real sense of history from. Many of the planes are still flown on special dates, which adds a lovely, living element to the whole experience.

The cars are just as enjoyable to explore, from elegant early models to classic racers with plenty of character. What really makes the visit feel special is how personal and hands-on everything seems; the staff and volunteers clearly care about these vehicles, and it shows. It’s relaxed, friendly, and full of little moments that spark curiosity – a really rewarding stop if you’re travelling through Bedfordshire.

Before You Hit the Road…

Visiting a few motor museums along the way can really give your road trip a lift. They’re full of stories, character, and those little moments of nostalgia that make you smile—whether it’s spotting a car you grew up with or discovering a vehicle you never knew existed. Each museum adds something different to the journey, turning it from a simple drive into an experience with stops you’ll actually remember.

If this has sparked a few ideas, you might enjoy our great themed road trip ideas, which are perfect for building a trip around your interests. And if you’re craving beautiful views and winding roads, take a look at our Top 10 Scenic Drives in the UK for inspiration. If you are looking to hire a car or hire a campervan for your road trip, check out our find a vehicle pages. And don’t forget to visit our road trip planning pages for tips on how to plan your perfect road trip.

Whatever you choose next, these museums are a great reminder that the best road trips are the ones with a few unexpected stops along the way.