Dive in and explore exciting senses this summer at the British Motor Museum!
The world's largest collection of historic British cars
The world's largest collection of historic British cars
In conjunction with our brand new sound-based exhibition ‘Beep-Beep, Yeah!’, this summer we’re looking, touching, smelling and listening to the fascinating world of senses here at the Museum!
Come along to immerse yourself in different themes for each day of the week and explore the collection from new and interesting perspectives. Plus, every day throughout the summer the Senses Family Trail will lead visitors on a journey of discovery around the Museum using touch, sight, hearing & smell!
Tap each heading for a downloadable sheet with details of each day's activities including locations and timings.
On Mindful Mondays, take a behind-the-scenes look at the Museum’s extensive Archive collection during the Archive Adventure, where the expert team will share fascinating insights into the preservation and accessibility of historical materials. For those feeling creative, Modelling Masterpieces! invites you to craft your own car designs using air-dry clay! And don't miss out on the Sensory Tour, where you'll experience the Museum's car collection through touch, sound, and other senses, making it an inclusive and enriching exploration for all!
Experience the thrill of riding in a historic vehicle from the Museum’s collection on Tuneful Tuesdays during Classic Car Rides, and hear the unique stories of featured vehicles during Car Spotlight! For a hands-on creative experience, visitors can craft their own shakers, maracas, and mini drums in the “Make Some Noise!” activity, drawing inspiration from engine sounds and car radio tunes. The Tuneful Tour will offer a musical journey through the Museum’s collections, encouraging you to explore the sounds of the cars and create your own rhythms along the way.
For Workshop Wednesdays, come along and join Carter's 1930 Garage Family Tour for a fun, family-friendly exploration of the Museum’s tech-focused exhibits, led by the charismatic Mr Carter or his handy garage mechanic. Step into the world of the workshop with Mechanic's Spotlight - a behind-the-scenes experience where the expert workshop team will share their knowledge and demonstrate the intricate care involved in preserving heritage vehicles. Meanwhile, Bonnets Up will give you a rare chance to peer under the hoods of selected classic and modern cars, and even see them roar into life! And get your imagination sparking with Kit Car Creations where you can use LEGO® bricks to build a car from our collection!
Tactile Thursdays at the British Motor Museum offer a hands-on way to explore automotive history. Join the Tactile Tour to get up close with a selection of vehicles, experiencing their unique textures. Enjoy a Classic Car Ride and cruise around the Museum grounds in a vehicle from the collection! In Artefacts Unboxed, handle historic items from the collection and uncover their fascinating stories with guidance from expert curators. Want some fast-paced fun? RC Racers lets visitors of all ages test their skills driving remote-controlled Aston Martins around a custom track!
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Fizzing Fridays at the British Motor Museum are packed with science-themed fun for the whole family. Join a Scientastic Family Tour or Sensory Science Show to explore the wonders of light in an engaging, hands-on way. In the Sensational Archive workshops, discover how archivists use all their senses -touch, smell, sound, and even taste - to interact with historical materials. Dive deeper into the world of photography with 'Glass' Plate Image Making where you can explore vintage negatives, take the opportunity to taste an 'edible photo negative', and create your own take-home artwork using light and colour.
Have you ever tried your hand at the ancient craft of creating art through paper folding, known as Origami? Come along on Whizzing Weekends for 'Car-igami' where you'll make your very own Origami paper car - you can follow our helpful instructions or come up with your own unique design!
And don't forget about our shows and events! We’ve got a great lineup of shows, rallies and events happening here at the Museum during weekends this summer! Take a look at this list below and check out the What’s On page of our website for more details:
20 July - Old Ford Rally supported by Peter James Insurance
20 July - Rootes Heritage Day
2 August - Fiats and Friends
10 August - The Ultimate German Car Meet
17 August - Aston Martin - Celebrating Vantage
30 August - Rustival
Which fun filled day of activities will you pick? Can't decide? Get an Annual Pass at no extra cost and come back again and again to experience all of our sensory activities! Find out more here and tap here to book!
NOTE: All activities are included in Museum admission. There is no need to pre-book; just drop by the Family Activity Station to find out what is going on and when!
*Archive Adventure tours will happen every Monday except 25 August and 1 September
This Summer’s feature exhibition invites you to explore the powerful connection between cars and sound. From engine roars to road trip playlists, discover how the sounds we hear - and the music we choose - shape our driving experience, and how car design has evolved to amplify this connection.
Click here to find out more!
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