We have been on a mother & daughter weekend away .On route to the Beech Hill Hotel and Spa, we pulled into the Lakeland Motor Museum less than 5 minutes drive away. With ample free parking it is easy to get to, just off the A590 at Newby Bridge. We had passed the huge blue building many times before, but could never have imagined the scale of this all weather attraction.
From setting off in the Eden Valley in sunshine, the sky had started turning grey as we drove over Orton Scar and their was a hint of rain as Katie May and I parked up. But that didn’t matter, inside the museum you forgot about the weather in the light, airy and spacious venue which is a celebration of transport from the penny farthing to the land and water speed breaking Bluebird, and up to present day.
The layout of this museum is superb and draws you through modern social history like a time machine. Starting with the first motorised vehicles, fire engines and Al Capon’s get away car complete with illegal police siren, every where you look is a piece of transport history.
Moving through the building you pass reconstructions of traditional shops and services now lost, such as the local cobblers then past the toy shop window, post office and Cooperative store. The fashions in the windows tell their own story.
The museum building has been created on the site of the Old Blue Mill which made washing additives to make your clothes white, and the stories of those who worked there are captured beautifully. There is so much to learn about this part of South Lakeland.
Upstairs there are traditional, end of the pier slot machine games to race toy cars and test your skills at the steering wheel – an interactive experience taking many back to their childhood memories of holidays enjoyed in British seaside resorts.
From the viewing gallery you over look the hot air balloon and early aircraft at eye level and the array of cars including the DMC DeLorean made famous in the Back to the Future movie.
Through mechanics workshops, army bases and car showroom of the 1970s, the 150 classic cars and 30,000 motoring exhibits have been displayed to delight the eye. They capture the imagination of a long lost era and provide something of interest to everyone who comes through the doors of this spectacular visitor attraction.
Outside, past the vintage caravan (which is well worth a look at through the windows) you enter the special Bluebird collection, celebrating the lives and world record breaking achievements of Sir Malcom and Donald Campbell – the father and son who broke both the land and water speed records.
Donald died on Coniston Water in his famous Bluebird, trying to reach even faster speeds on water in 1967. His body and the Bluebird were recovered in 2001. In this building dedicated to the father and son, you can see full sized replicas of their land and water Bluebird crafts and watch news reel interviews and footage of their challenges in the US and here in the Lake District.
After all the excitement of the displays, Café Ambio in the courtyard entrance to the museum offers refreshments and meals. We were there on a Sunday and the roast dinner with Yorkshire Puddings looked delicious and we will be back again for the lunch. It was great value for money and in the summer months there was outside seating as well to take in the riverside views.
Our plan to return in the summer includes taking the riverside walk and hopefully catching one of the many events their host through the season including Classic Drives and Ride-In days.
And we might return using public transport as the Stagecoach X6 service between Barrow, Ulverston, Grange-over-Sands and Kendal stops right outside.
Find out more about the museum, and special events coming up on the Lakeland Motor Museum website
Discover more about our weekend away at the Beech Hill Hotel & Spa.
Thank you to the Lakeland Motor Museum for welcoming us to their unique attraction.
- Value for money 5/5 stars Adult £10, Child (5-15 years) £6 (Child under 5 years) free, Family (2 adults and up to 3 children) £29 and annual pass available.
- Entertainment & enjoyment 5/5
- Easy access 5/5 free car parking and disabled car park, bus route
- Facilities 5/5 Well stocked gift shop, café, toilets, free parking & riverside walk.
