Category: British Motor Museum

1. 'Banbury Run' - 71 years old and still going strong!

   Posted on 12:00pm Thursday 30th May 2019

   The VMCC Banbury Run might be 71 years old but it still manages to attract the largest gathering of pre-1931 classic bikes in the world. Around 500 veteran and vintage motorcycles will ride out from the British Motor Museum on various routes as they make their way to Banbury on Sunday 16 June. The routes vary between 30 and 60 miles and many will hope to make them without breaking down! 

   Viewing areas in the Museum grounds will give spectators the chance to see the motorcycles start up as they begin their nostalgic Run. Riders will depart at 5 per minute from 10am with the last leaving at 12noon. Riders will begin to return to the Museum from 12:30pm.The event is supported by the Banbury Town Mayor who will be starting all the competitors on their journeys including scaling Sun Rising Hill at Edgehill.

   There will also be Club and Trade Stands, over 100 Autojumble pitches and special interest displays. This year the event will take place on one site without the need for shuttle buses. There is now a newly extended car park and new road layout giving easier access to the M40.

   Tom Caren, Show Manager at the British Motor Museum stated “The VMCC Banbury Run is aimed at those who enjoy the thrill of riding out with other Vintage, Veteran & Pioneer bikes.  Its amazing that the Run is now 71 years old and still going strong. With many of the vehicles over 100 years old it’s not surprising that some don’t make the journey to Banbury!”

   The Museum will be open from 9am – 5pm. Spectator tickets for the Run cost £9 in advance or £11 on the day for adults and concessions, children cost £7 advance or £9 on the day. All tickets include entry to the Museum and Collections Centre. Camping is also available on the Saturday and Sunday night for a discounted advance price of £26 per pitch for 1 night or £34 per pitch for 2 or 3 nights.

   To find out more about the Banbury Run visit www.banbury-run.co.uk, for more information on the British Motor Museum please visit www.britishmotormuseum.co.uk  or call 01926 641188.

2. Halloween Spooky Spectacular Science Show at the British Motor Museum

   Posted on 12:00pm Saturday 20th Oct 2018

   This Halloween on Wednesday 31 October, come and join ‘Professor Pickle’ and ‘Doctor Pumpkin’ for a Halloween Spooky Spectacular Science Show at the British Motor Museum.‘Professor Pickle’ and ‘Doctor Pumpkin’ will treat everyone to a 25 minute live spectacular full of cool interactive demonstrations and spooky science. The shows run at 11am, 1pm and 2pm for one day only.

   Children can also enjoy the Halloween Black Cat Trail and search the Museum for the hidden cats, to discover, with a torch, the colour of each cat’s eyes! This trail will be running throughout the Warwickshire half term, from 27 October – 4 November. Also during this holiday the Museum is inviting children of all ages to put their detective caps on and help the Museum’s Junior Designer find the Missing Plans! Young detectives can meet the costumed guides at the Family Activity Station at 11am, 1pm or 2pm, where they will be briefed on the case. This is a fun interactive family trail suitable for all ages and available every day except Halloween (31 October). Keeping with the detective theme, children can also learn how to write secret messages or create their own secret car plans with invisible ink in the Secret Agent Lab.

   Emma Rawlinson, Life Long Learning Officer at the British Motor Museum said “We have plenty of fun to keep all the family entertained this half-term, with our trails, Secret Agent Skills andHalloween Spooky Spectacular Science Show, as well asover 300 British classic cars to explore!”

   All activities are included in the Museum entry price: Adults £14, Children £9 (5-16 years) under 5’s free, Concessions £12 & a Family £39 (2 adults & up to 3 children). Buy 1 day and get 12 months free if you Gift Aid your entrance. Please note spaces for the Halloween Spooky Spectacular Science Show will be limited, so visitors are encouraged to sign up at the Family Station on arrival. To find out more information about October half-term activities please visit the website at www.britishmotormuseum.co.uk/events/october-half-term-2018 or call 01926 641188.

    

3. Banbury Run to celebrate its milestone 70th year!

   Posted on 12:00pm Wednesday 18th Apr 2018

   Celebrating its milestone 70^th year, the Vintage Motor Cycle Club Banbury Run will once again be hosted at the British Motor Museum on Sunday 17 June. Around 500 Veteran and Vintage motorcycles will ride out from the Museum on various circular routes. Regarded as the largest gathering of pre-1931 motorcycles & 3-wheelers in the world, the Banbury Run is geared towards those who enjoy the thrill of riding with other Vintage, Veteran & Pioneer bikes.

   In addition to the Run, there will also be Club and Trade Stands, over 100 Autojumble pitches and special interest displays within the Museum grounds. Camping is also available on the Saturday and Sunday night for a discounted advance price of £26 per pitch for 1 night or £34 per pitch for 2 or 3 nights.

   Tom Caren, Show Manager at the British Motor Museum stated “Celebrating its 70th anniversary just goes to prove how immensely popular the Banbury Run is. Seeing hundreds ofvintage motorcycles ride together is a motoring spectacle that deserves to continue to flourish.”

   The Museum will be open from 9am – 5pm with the Run beginning at 10am. Riders will start at 5 per minute. This year’s event is being supported by the Banbury Major who will be in attendance. Spectator tickets for the Run cost £8 in advance or £10 on the day for adults and concessions, children cost £8 advance or £9 on the day. All tickets include entry to the Museum and Collections Centre.

   To find out more about the Banbury Run visit www.banbury-run.co.uk, for more information on the British Motor Museum please visit www.britishmotormuseum.co.uk  or call 01926 641188.

4. Explore 'military through the decades' at the Gaydon Military Show!

   Posted on 12:00pm Tuesday 13th Mar 2018

   Visitors are invited to explore ‘military through the decades’ on Sunday 30 September when the British Motor Museum hosts the Gaydon Military Show. Now in its third year, the Show encompasses all aspects of military history with a range of activities to enjoy. Plus there is even the chance to camp in the Museum grounds and make a weekend of it!

   Visitors can see impressive displays of military vehicles including armoured vehicles, jeeps, Land Rovers, soft-skinned vehicles and many more. Plus they can find out about different wartime eras with exhibits from World War 2 through to the Cold War, including replica camps housing a variety of artefacts.  Inside the Museum, the Warwickshire Home Guard re-enactor display will be showcasing experiences from World War II.

   Visitors are encouraged to get involved and dress up in their own military outfits, but please be aware that Axis uniforms may only be worn as part of a static display or an arena event.  Popular singing trio ‘My Favourite Things’ will be back performing live classic wartime hits throughout the Show.
   
   Tom Caren, Show Organiser stated, “The Show is a real step back in time with a range of displays, activities and live music to keep everyone entertained. There will also be the chance for visitors to make a weekend of it and camp in the grounds. We would be delighted to hear from anyone interested in displaying their military vehicle or selling vintage fashion and militaria.” 

   To be a part of the show and enter your military vehicle for FREE please complete the online vehicle entry form. Vehicle entry is free if booked in advance, and includes passes and camping for one driver and a passenger. Additional passes can be purchased for £8 per person. Interested traders should contact Show Organiser, Tom Caren on 01926 643358.

   Normal Museum admission rates apply for the Gaydon Military Show. Adult tickets £14, Concessions £12 (including Service Personnel with valid ID card), Child £9 and Family Ticket £39. Children under 5 are free. Gift Aid annual passes are valid for this event. Entrants can camp in the grounds overnight for a discounted advance price of £10 per person for 1-2 people or £25 for a pitch of 3 people or more. Or on the day the cost is £15 per person for 1-2 people and £35 for 3 people or more.

   To find out more about the Gaydon Military Show visit www.britishmotormuseum.co.uk or call 01926 641188.

5. Charley Boorman to drive a 1904 car from the British Motor Museum in this year's London to Brighton Veteran Car Run!

   Posted on 12:00pm Friday 3rd Nov 2017

   The British Motor Industry Heritage Trust, based at the British Motor Museum, is again supporting the Bonhams London to Brighton Veteran Car Run, supported by Hiscox, which is taking place this Sunday 5 November.

   Charley Boorman, TV presenter, adventurer and travel writer will drive the Museum’s 1904 Rover 8hp which is the oldest surviving Rover car and just one of 6 cars from the Museum’s collection which will be participating in this year’s Run. Charley is also representing the Movember Foundation. 

   Other cars from the Museum which will be taking part include a 1901 Wolseley 10hp tonneau which will be driven by motoring journalist Quentin Willson. The British Motor Industry Heritage Trust’s new chairman, Kevin Timms, will be driving a 1904 Thornycroft 20hp tonneau, which was driven last year by Lindsey Russell from Blue Peter and in 2014 by Olympic legend, Sir Steve Redgrave. Also participating are the Museum’s 1899 Wolseley 3½hp voiturette, 1902 Albion A1 dog-cart and 1904 Wolseley 6hp phaeton.

   The Bonhams London to Brighton Veteran Run supported by Hiscox is a premier event in the annual motoring calendar and has been running longer than any other in the world. It marks the historic day in 1896 when a group of pioneer motorists set out from London towards the seaside, in celebration of the ‘emancipation of the motor car’.

   Stephen Laing, Curator at the British Motor Museum said “We are delighted that Charley is driving one of the cars from the Museum’s collection. The Run is one of the most exhilarating and exclusive motoring adventures in the world. These wonderful cars are all more than a century old and are some of the rarest and finest models from our collection. Watching 400 veteran cars take part in the Run is an amazing and nostalgic experience.”

   To find out more about the British Motor Museum please visit the website at www.britishmotormuseum.co.uk  or call 01926 641188.