Heritage Motor Centre - Motor Museum in Gaydon
19 March 2012
We visited the Heritage Motor Centre at the request of my daughter after she visited on a school trip. She'd clearly enjoyed her visit as she kept talking about it. When we got to the museum she insisted on being our personal tour guide.
I had visited the museum before, but it had been several years before. We visited on a weekend during February. Entrance fee was reasonable (although doesn't compare with free entrance at Coventry Transport Museum). I was pleased to see that along with some other museums if you gift aid the entrance fee then you get a years free entry for the price of one visit, which makes it great value for money.
The museum is an indoor collection of cars primarily based on cars made by Austin, Rover, Land Rover and other British vehicles from early cars to current vehicles and future prototypes. Most of these vehicles are marked "do not touch", but there are some hands-on exhibits, including games and computer screens around the museum. One particularly good area is the "Under the Skin" exhibition which looks at the inner workings of a motor car.
As well as many permanent cars on display there are several temporary exhibitions throughout the year. At the time we visited this included a record breaking exhibition including a record breaking steam car and the worlds fastest diesel car.
The outdoor activities were not running on the weekend we attended, but we will return later in the year. The activities include a miniature roadway for children aged 3 to 7, 4x4 passenger experience and driving experience for 15 to 17 year olds.
There is a cafe at the museum which had a good choice of food for adults and children, including healthy options such as a fresh salad bar.
Well worth visiting at any time, but look out for the temporary exhibitions and events, or if you are a UK tax payer gift-aid your entrance fee and return for free later in the year.
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