Looking for a brilliant family days out near Coventry this summer? The British Motor Museum in Gaydon is far more than a museum. Home to the world's largest collection of historic British cars, it offers a brilliant mix of interactive exhibits, hands-on activities, creative workshops and exciting family experiences that will keep children and grown-ups entertained all day long. 

With child tickets available for just £1 throughout the Summer Holidays, it's also one of the best value family attractions in Warwickshire.

British Motor Museum Summer Holidays | £1 Child Tickets & Family Day Out Near Coventry 

• Date and Time: Open every day in the Summer Holidays | 10am - 5pm 
• Location: British Motor Museum, Banbury Road, Gaydon, Warwickshire, CV35 0BJ 
• Distance from Coventry: Around 30 minutes by car 
• Suitable for: Families, children of all ages, car fans, curious minds and anyone looking for a fun summer day out
• Summer Savings: Child tickets are just £1 during the Summer Holidays (Ts and Cs apply)
• Booking: Book tickets online

The British Motor Museum has packed the Summer Holidays with interactive activities, family trails, creative workshops and exciting experiences included with admission. Whether your family loves gaming, engineering, crafting, history or simply discovering amazing vehicles, there's something for every age to enjoy.

This summer, visitors can experience Forza Horizon 6 like never before with state-of-the-art racing simulators, explore the exciting new Spoiler Alert! exhibition celebrating iconic 1980s and 1990s hot hatches, enjoy hands-on creative activities and discover more than 400 historic British vehicles throughout the museum.

Why Visit the British Motor Museum This Summer? 

The British Motor Museum offers far more than rows of classic cars - there's something for everyone this summer!  

For the Tech-Loving Teens: Experience the incredible Forza Horizon 6 racing simulators and compete for the fastest lap time. Explore the exhibition featuring many of the cars included in the game before putting your driving skills to the test. 

For the Nostalgic Grown-Ups: A trip down memory lane with the vibrant Spoiler Alert! exhibition, celebrating the classic, everyday hot hatches of the 80s and 90s.

For the Creative Kids: Visit the Creation Station where children can build their own exhibition-inspired vehicles using real electronic circuits or create colourful Cube-Bots to take home. 

For the Littlest Adventurers: Pick up a family activity sheet and Tank Passport before setting off around the museum to discover hidden vehicles, collect stamps and complete interactive challenges. Little ones will also love the dedicated Mini Motorist Mondays activities. 

For the Family Budget: Child tickets are just £1 all summer long until 1st September!

Booking: Book tickets online

Why Families Love the British Motor Museum

The British Motor Museum combines history, technology, creativity and hands-on fun, making it one of the best family attractions in Warwickshire. Whether your children love gaming, building, crafting or discovering incredible vehicles, there's enough to keep everyone entertained for hours.

"Had an amazing time at the British Motor Museum! The museum is absolutely incredible - so many beautiful classic and modern cars, and everything is very well organized. A great place for both car lovers and families. We also had a snack at the café - tasty food and very reasonable prices. The whole experience was enjoyable and definitely worth visiting. Highly recommend!" - Google review

"Great fun day out, loads of cars to explore. Plenty of history. Staff are fantastic, very engaging and helpful. It was such a day to see so many wonderful classics and modern classics. Variety was through the roof and everyone who works here genuinely seem to enjoy being there and it shows in how it all comes together, both children were thrilled with their activity books as well as enjoying the plentiful exhibits" - Google review

Visiting from Coventry

The British Motor Museum is around 30 minutes from Coventry, making it an easy and stress-free family day out during the Summer Holidays. With free parking, indoor attractions, family-friendly facilities and activities running throughout the day, it's perfect whether you're planning ahead or looking for something to do at the last minute.

Booking: Book tickets online

The Ultimate Summer Family Day Out Itinerary

With so much to see, we’ve put together a handy itinerary to help you make the most of your day; feel free to pick and choose!

10:00am – Arrival & Passport Collection 

Head straight to the Family Activity Station or Mezzanine to grab your Activity Sheet and Tank Passport. This sets the kids up for a museum-wide treasure hunt to find the seven hidden cars starring in Forza Horizon 6.

10:30am – The Creation Station 

Head to the Learning Hub while everyone is fresh. Visitors aged 7+ can build an exhibition-inspired car and use circuitry to add lights and movement. For the 5–7s, they can build and decorate a cardboard Cube-Bot with working circuits to take home. (Last entry is at 3:00pm)

11:30am – Spotlight on... Spoiler Alert! Family Tour 

Join the dynamic duo - Simon Spoiler and Alice Alert, for a brilliant, energetic family tour through the Spoiler Alert! exhibition. It's a fantastic, interactive way to look closely at iconic 80s and 90s hot hatches, complete with a retro soundtrack.

12:00pm – Remote-Controlled Racing Hype 

Right after the tour, burn some serious rubber on the track! Pit yourself against the kids on the remote-controlled car course and see who can set the fastest lap time. 

12:30pm – Refuel & Lunch 

Head over to the museum cafe for a bite to eat, or find a spot to enjoy a packed lunch and give everyone a chance to look over their colouring-in sheets.

1:15pm – Retro 80s Car Ride 

Step outside to experience authentic motoring history. Head over to the track to take a nostalgic ride around the site in a classic 1980 Triumph Dolomite or a 1984 Vauxhall Astra. (Available Monday to Friday, 1:00pm - 3:00pm, subject to availability).

2:00pm – Forza Horizon 6: The Experience 

Make your way to the main feature exhibition. Explore the incredible line-up of physical sports cars and cult classics featured in the game, and then climb into a state-of-the-art racing simulator. Make sure to fill out the competition entry form after your race to enter the weekly Playground Games prize draw! 

3:30pm – Final Passport Stamps & Gift Shop 

Use your final hour to tick off any remaining hidden cars on your trail list, get your passport fully stamped, and collect your reward sticker from the Family Activity Station. End the day with a quick browse through the museum shop for a souvenir before heading home.

Book a stress-free day out that the whole family will love. Book your £1 child tickets now! (T&Cs apply) 

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is the British Motor Museum? The British Motor Museum is located in Gaydon, Warwickshire, close to Warwick, Stratford-upon-Avon and within easy reach of Coventry, Kenilworth, Balsall Common, Berkswell and Leamington Spa.

Is the British Motor Museum suitable for children with SEND or additional needs? Yes. The British Motor Museum aims to provide a welcoming experience for all visitors. The spacious galleries, interactive exhibits and family-friendly facilities make it suitable for many children with additional needs. If your child has specific requirements, it's recommended to contact the museum before your visit to discuss how they can support your family.

Is there parking? Yes, there is free parking available onsite.

How much are child tickets? Child tickets are just £1 during the summer holidays until 1st September 2026 (terms and conditions apply).

How long should we allow for our visit? Most families spend between four and six hours exploring the museum and taking part in the activities.

Is there a café at British Motor Museum? Yes. The Junction 12 Café serves a range of hot meals, light lunches, snacks, drinks and children's options. You're also welcome to bring a picnic to enjoy in the designated picnic areas.

Is the museum suitable for wheelchair users?  Yes. The museum is fully accessible, with step-free access throughout most of the building, accessible toilets, lifts and wheelchair access, making it easy for everyone to enjoy their visit.

Are baby changing facilities available? Yes. Baby changing facilities are available onsite, making visits with babies and toddlers easy and convenient.

Is the museum suitable for pushchairs? Yes. The museum is pushchair-friendly, with spacious galleries and step-free routes throughout.

Can I visit on a rainy day? Absolutely! As most of the attractions and activities are indoors, the British Motor Museum is one of the best rainy day family attractions near Coventry.

Do I need to book? Booking online in advance is recommended, particularly during the Summer Holidays. Book tickets online.