The Lakeland Motor Museum

Step back in time and discover the evolution of motoring at the Lakeland Motor Museum - where history and innovation come together to create a truly unique experience.

Visitor Information: The Lakeland Motor Museum

• The Lakeland Motor Museum

  Description

  If you’re a car enthusiast or simply appreciate the beauty of classic automobiles, the Lakeland Motor Museum in the Lake District is a must-see destination. Located in the picturesque village of Backbarrow, the museum offers visitors a unique and immersive journey through the history of motoring.

  The Lakeland Motor Museum houses an impressive collection of over 30,000 exhibits, including vintage cars, motorcycles, bicycles, and even early examples of motorized agricultural machinery. Visitors can explore the exhibits across the museum’s various sections, each with a different theme, such as the ‘Bluebird’ wing, dedicated to the iconic record-breaking land and water speed cars designed by Sir Malcolm Campbell.

  One of the museum’s most popular attractions is the Campbell Bluebird Exhibition, which showcases the history of the world-famous speed record cars and boats. Visitors can see the actual cars that were used to break the land and water speed records, including the legendary Bluebird CN7, which reached speeds of over 400 miles per hour.

  Another popular exhibit is the ‘Tales of the Road’ gallery, which provides a glimpse into the daily lives of motorists from the early 1900s to the present day. The exhibit features a range of vehicles, from vintage cars and motorcycles to camper vans and family cars, and shows how cars have evolved over the years to meet the needs of drivers and passengers.

  The museum also offers a range of interactive exhibits, including a car simulator, where visitors can experience what it’s like to drive a vintage car, and a children’s play area, where kids can enjoy a range of car-themed activities.

  In addition to the extensive collection of vehicles, the Lakeland Motor Museum also boasts beautiful gardens and a café serving delicious home-cooked food and locally sourced drinks. The café overlooks the river Leven and is the perfect place to relax and soak up the scenery after exploring the museum.

  The Lakeland Motor Museum is a fascinating destination for car enthusiasts and history buffs alike. With its extensive collection of vehicles, interactive exhibits, and stunning location, it’s a unique and immersive experience that should not be missed.

   

• Highlights

  Not to be missed when visiting

  The Main Exhibition Hall: With over 150 classic cars and motorbikes, from vintage to modern, the main exhibition hall tells the story of motoring in Britain.

  Campbell Bluebird Exhibition: This is a tribute to the land and water speed record-breaking activities of Sir Malcolm Campbell and his son Donald. It includes full-sized replicas of the 1935 Bluebird car, the 1939 Bluebird boat K4, and the 1967 jet hydroplane Bluebird K7.

  Isle of Man TT Tribute: An extensive exhibition dedicated to the Isle of Man TT race, which includes a variety of TT-related motorcycles and memorabilia.

  Bicycle Gallery: Showcasing the development of the bicycle since its inception, with a collection of bicycles from different eras.

  Local History & Heritage Gallery: This collection features a range of items related to the local area, including toys, tools, domestic appliances and agricultural machinery.

  Motorcycle Mezzanine: This houses an incredible variety of motorcycles from different eras, including a comprehensive collection of Vincent Motorcycles.

  Micro-Car Gallery: A collection of quirky, small-engined cars that gained popularity in the post-WWII era due to their fuel efficiency.

  Motorsport Gallery: A display dedicated to various forms of motorsport, including rallying, hill climbing, supercars, and more.

  Museum Library: For those looking for a bit more detail or depth, the library has a wealth of motoring literature.

  Shopping and Dining: The museum also has a gift shop for souvenirs and a café where you can grab a bite.