The British Motor Museum is a large automotive museum housing a major collection of historic British cars, located in Gaydon near Warwick, England. This 2026 visitor guide covers opening hours, ticket prices, transport or parking, accessibility, and practical visitor tips.
To save money on entrance fees, book your British Motor Museum tickets online.
This guide was updated in March 2026 to reflect the current £18.00 advance adult ticket price and the ongoing Collections Centre layout refresh marking its 10-year anniversary.
Quick facts about the British Motor Museum
| Feature | Details |
| Opening hours | Open daily, 10:00 am to 5:00 pm. |
| Ticket prices | Advance: Adults £18.00, Children (5–16) £9.00. Gate: Adults £21.00, Children £10.00. |
| Address | Banbury Road, Gaydon, Warwickshire, CV35 0BJ. |
| Nearest public transport or parking | Large free on-site visitor car park. |
| Typical time needed | 3 to 4 hours. |
British Motor Museum opening hours
The British Motor Museum is open from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm daily, closing only for short periods over Christmas and New Year. The adjacent Collections Centre building opens slightly later at 11:00 am and closes at 5:00 pm.
Last admission to both the main museum and the Collections Centre is strictly at 4:00 pm. Daily guided tours are available, with museum tours departing at 11:00 am and 2:00 pm, and Collections Centre tours at 12:00 pm and 3:00 pm.
Why book tickets for the British Motor Museum?
- 🏎️ World’s Largest Collection: Discover over 400 historic British cars, from the early pioneers of the late 1800s to modern-day classics and record-breaking racing machines.
- 🛣️ The Iconic Time Road: Take a fascinating walk through a century of motoring history, seeing how cars, fashions, and the roads themselves have evolved since 1896.
- 🚙 Motoring Legends: Get up close to famous vehicles like the very first Land Rover (“Huey”), the first-ever production Mini, and iconic cars from film and TV like the Thunderbirds FAB1.
- 🛠️ Behind-the-Scenes Access: Explore the Collections Centre to see hundreds of additional cars in storage and watch expert technicians at work in the live restoration workshop.
- 🎮 Interactive “Under the Skin”: Engage with hands-on exhibits that reveal how cars work, featuring steering simulators and mechanical displays for a fun, educational experience for all ages.
British Motor Museum ticket prices
Advance online tickets cost £18.00 for adults, £16.00 for concessions, and £9.00 for children aged 5 to 16. Purchasing tickets on the day at the door costs slightly more, at £21.00 for adults and £10.00 for children, while children under the age of five always enter for free.
Opening hours and ticket prices were checked on the official website and last updated in March 2026.
The British Motor Museum is not currently included in any multi-attraction city pass scheme (such as Go City or CityPass), meaning separate admission is required for other regional attractions such as Warwick Castle, Shakespeare’s Birthplace, and Kenilworth Castle. When you choose to donate your entry fee through Gift Aid, the museum will convert your day ticket into a free Annual Pass.
How to get to the British Motor Museum
The British Motor Museum is located on Banbury Road in Gaydon, just a few minutes off Junction 12 of the M40 motorway.
Due to its rural location, the museum is difficult to access via direct public transport. Visitors using the train should alight at Leamington Spa or Banbury stations, both of which require a subsequent taxi ride to reach the museum.
Parking at the British Motor Museum
There is ample free parking available on-site for all visitors. The large surface car parks include designated spaces for blue badge holders, motorhomes, and coaches.
Because the car parks are expansive, finding a space on a standard day is straightforward. However, the site regularly hosts large outdoor car club rallies and meets, which can make the parking areas significantly busier on weekends.
How long to spend at the British Motor Museum
Most visitors spend between three and four hours exploring the site. This allows enough time to view the main museum displays and the separate Collections Centre.
Visitors who plan to join the free guided tours, participate in the interactive family activities, or eat at the on-site cafe often extend their stay to a full day out.
Accessibility at the British Motor Museum
The British Motor Museum is fully accessible for wheelchair users, featuring flat, step-free access and lifts to all levels of the building. A limited number of manual wheelchairs are available to borrow free of charge, though these should be reserved by phone prior to arrival.
Paying visitors who require assistance can bring an essential carer for free upon presentation of valid documentation. The museum also offers accessible toilets with baby changing facilities, portable induction loops for the hearing impaired, and a quiet environment on standard non-event days.
Inside the British Motor Museum
The main museum building houses a large collection charting the history of the British motor industry, featuring hundreds of classic, vintage, and veteran cars. Visitors can view historic vehicles, including early prototypes, sports cars, and significant models from manufacturers like Jaguar, Rover, and Mini.
A key highlight for many visitors is the film and television car collection, which includes vehicles such as Lady Penelope’s FAB1 from Thunderbirds. There are also numerous interactive exhibits and sit-in cars designed for younger visitors.
A short walk from the main building is the Collections Centre, a working storage facility housing over 250 reserve vehicles. This building allows visitors to see cars that are not currently part of the main curated exhibitions, alongside the Jaguar Heritage Trust collection.
Practical visitor tips
| Tip category | Practical advice |
| Timing | Check the events calendar before visiting, as Annual Passes and promotional vouchers are not valid on specific “Exempt Event Days”. |
| Crowds | Arrive early on weekends during the summer, as the site frequently hosts busy car rallies. |
| Layout | Retain your admission ticket, as you must show it at the door to gain access to the separate Collections Centre building. |
| Entry process | Book your tickets online in advance to secure the discounted rate and avoid paying the higher walk-up price. |
| On-site logistics | Do not bring pet dogs, as only trained assistance dogs are permitted inside the museum and Collections Centre buildings. |
Frequently asked questions about the British Motor Museum
| Query | Answer |
| Is the British Motor Museum suitable for children? | Yes, the museum features interactive exhibits, sit-in cars, themed trails, and push-along cars for toddlers. |
| Do you need to book tickets in advance for the British Motor Museum? | No, walk-up tickets are available at the desk, but booking online in advance is significantly cheaper. |
| Is the British Motor Museum open on Sundays? | Yes, the museum and Collections Centre are open every Sunday year-round. |
| Are bags allowed at the British Motor Museum? | Yes, standard day bags and backpacks are permitted inside the museum buildings. |
Things to do near the British Motor Museum
- Warwick Castle: A restored medieval castle offering interactive historical attractions and outdoor shows. Parking at Warwick Castle is not free, alas.
- Charlecote Park: A 16th-century country house surrounded by a deer park, managed by the National Trust.
- Kenilworth Castle: The red-sandstone ruins of a historical fortress featuring restored Elizabethan gardens.
- Compton Verney: An 18th-century country mansion housing an art gallery and set within Capability Brown parkland.
- Stratford-upon-Avon: The historic riverside market town known as the birthplace of William Shakespeare and home of Tudor World.
More West Midlands travel
Other West Midlands travel articles on Planet Whitley include:
- Plan your visit to Winterbourne House and Birmingham Botanical Gardens in Birmingham.
- Lichfield Cathedral: Ticket prices, opening hours & visitor guide.
- Review of the Black Country Living Museum, Dudley.
- Plan a visit to Witley Court and Gardens in Worcestershire.
- What you need to know before visiting Buildwas Abbey in Shropshire.
