Lakeland Motor Museum

The Lakeland Motor Museum is a fascinating destination for anyone interested in the history of road transport. Located in Backbarrow, Cumbria, the museum houses over 30,000 exhibits that trace the development of motor cars, motorbikes, cycles, and automobilia throughout the twentieth century. Visitors can explore the museum’s extensive collection, which includes classic cars, motorcycles, bicycles, pedal cars, and motoring-related items and memorabilia. Nestled in the picturesque Leven Valley, close to the southern tip of Lake Windermere in the beautiful English Lake District, the Lakeland Motor Museum is a perfect venue for all ages, whatever the weather. The museum’s free educational quiz helps pass on knowledge to visitors, making it an excellent destination for families. For those feeling peckish, there’s a café on site, and Windermere Lake Cruises offers a ticket that combines entrance to the museum with a boat trip from Bowness to Lakeside, followed by a 35-minute walk from the Lakeside pier to the museum.

History

The Lakeland Motor Museum is a museum located in Backbarrow, Cumbria, England. The museum houses a collection of classic cars, motorcycles, bicycles, pedal cars, and motoring-related items and memorabilia. The museum was first opened in 1978 as the “Lakeland Motor Museum and Toy Collection” by local businessman Donald Sidebottom.

Industrial History

The museum’s collection includes exhibits that trace the development of road transport throughout the twentieth century. The museum’s exhibits cover a wide range of topics, including local history, twentieth-century motoring, and industrial history. The museum’s collection includes over 30,000 exhibits, ranging from bicycles to fire engines, and includes a fascinating collection of some 100 motorcycles and scooters. The Lakeland Motor Museum also has an exhibition dedicated to the land and water speed record activities of Sir Malcolm Campbell and his son Donald Campbell. The exhibition includes a replica of the Bluebird car that Sir Malcolm Campbell used to set the land speed record in 1935, as well as a replica of the Bluebird K7 hydroplane that Donald Campbell used to set the water speed record in 1955. The museum’s collection also includes several notable cars, including a 1920 Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost, a 1930 Bentley 4.5 Litre, and a 1955 Jaguar XK140. The museum also has a collection of classic British marques, including Triumph, BSA, Norton, and Royal Enfield. Overall, the Lakeland Motor Museum provides a fascinating insight into the history of road transport in the twentieth century. The museum’s collection is varied and appeals to all, making it a must-visit destination for anyone with an interest in motoring history.

Exhibits

Lakeland Motor Museum is home to a unique collection of over 30,000 exhibits that trace the development of road transport throughout the 20th century. From classic cars to motorbikes, cycles, pedal cars, automobilia, and memorabilia, there is something for everyone to enjoy.

Classic Cars

The museum boasts an extensive collection of classic cars spanning more than 100 years of motor heritage. From vintage to veteran, the collection includes some of the most iconic cars of all time. Visitors can see cars such as the 1904 Wilson-Pilcher, the 1927 Bugatti Type 35B, and the 1961 Jaguar E-Type.

Motorbikes

The collection of motorbikes at the museum is equally impressive. Visitors can see bikes from the early 1900s to the present day, including some of the most iconic bikes of all time. The collection includes bikes such as the 1914 Indian Board Track Racer, the 1937 Ariel Square Four, and the 1970 Triumph Bonneville.

Cycles

For cycling enthusiasts, the museum has an impressive collection of cycles that spans over a century. Visitors can see bikes such as the 1920s Raleigh Roadster, the 1950s BSA Golden Flash, and the 1970s Raleigh Chopper.

Pedal Cars

The museum also has a collection of pedal cars that will delight children and adults alike. Visitors can see cars such as the 1930s Austin Junior, the 1950s Tri-ang Princess, and the 1960s BMC J40.

Automobilia

The museum’s collection of automobilia includes a wide range of items such as petrol pumps, signs, and other memorabilia. Visitors can see items such as the 1930s Esso petrol pump, the 1950s BP sign, and the 1960s Shell oil can.

Memorabilia

In addition to the automobilia, the museum also has a collection of other memorabilia related to road transport. Visitors can see items such as the 1930s AA roadside telephone box, the 1950s Highway Code, and the 1960s road signs. Overall, the Lakeland Motor Museum’s collection of exhibits is truly impressive. With over 30,000 items to see, visitors can spend hours exploring the museum and learning about the history of road transport.

Water Speed Records

The Lakeland Motor Museum has a dedicated exhibition to the land and water speed record activities of Sir Malcolm Campbell and his son Donald Campbell. The Campbell family is famous for their contribution to the world of speed records, especially in the water.

Donald Campbell

Donald Campbell was a British speed record breaker who set seven world water speed records in the Bluebird K7 jet hydroplane. He achieved his first world water speed record on Ullswater in 1955, where he reached more than 202mph. He later broke the record in Australia on Lake Bonney Riverland in South Australia in 1964, reaching 216mph. Campbell repeated this record on Lake Mead in the US. Unfortunately, he died in 1967 while attempting to break his own water speed record on Coniston Water in Cumbria.

Sir Malcolm

Sir Malcolm Campbell, Donald’s father, was also a British speed record breaker. He set speed records on both land and water. He set his first water speed record in 1939 on Coniston Water, driving the Blue Bird K4 boat, which broke the world water speed record. He also set a land speed record in 1935, driving the Blue Bird car, reaching 301mph in Utah.

Blue Bird Car

The Lakeland Motor Museum contains full-sized replicas of the Blue Bird car, in which Malcolm set a land speed record of 301mph in Utah in 1935. The car was powered by a Rolls-Royce R V12 engine and was built specifically for the purpose of breaking the land speed record.

Bluebird K7

The Bluebird K7 is a jet-powered hydroplane that was used by Donald Campbell to set seven world water speed records. The hydroplane was powered by a Bristol Siddeley Orpheus turbojet engine and was capable of reaching speeds of over 300mph. The Lakeland Motor Museum has a replica of the Bluebird K7 on display. The water speed record attempts took place on various lakes, including Windermere Lake and Ullswater, with Lakeside Pier being a popular location for spectators to watch the record attempts. Overall, the Campbell family’s contribution to the world of speed records is significant, and the Lakeland Motor Museum’s exhibition is an excellent opportunity to learn more about their achievements.

Road Transport

The Lakeland Motor Museum is a fascinating place to learn about the history of road transport. With over 30,000 exhibits, visitors can trace the development of road transport throughout the twentieth century. The museum has a wide range of vehicles, including motor cars, motorbikes, cycles, and automobilia.

MG

One of the most popular exhibits in the museum is the MG collection. MG is a British brand of sports cars that was founded in the 1920s. The MG collection at the Lakeland Motor Museum includes a number of classic models, such as the MG Midget, the MG TC, and the MG TD. The MG Midget was first introduced in 1961 and quickly became a popular sports car. It was a small two-seater convertible that was designed for fun driving. The MG TC was first introduced in 1945 and was one of the first post-war sports cars. The MG TD was introduced in 1950 and was an updated version of the MG TC. The MG collection at the Lakeland Motor Museum is a must-see for anyone interested in classic sports cars. Visitors can learn about the history of the MG brand and see some of the most iconic models up close.

Garage

The museum also has a number of exhibits that showcase the history of the garage. Visitors can see how garages have changed over the years and learn about the tools and equipment that were used in the past. The garage exhibits include a range of vintage petrol pumps, signs, and other memorabilia. One of the most interesting exhibits in the garage section is the working garage. Visitors can see how a garage would have operated in the past, with mechanics working on vintage cars and motorcycles. The working garage is a great way to experience the sights and sounds of a bygone era. Overall, the Lakeland Motor Museum is a great place to learn about the history of road transport. With a wide range of exhibits, including the popular MG collection and the garage exhibits, visitors can experience the evolution of road transport in a fun and engaging way.

Visitor Information

The Lakeland Motor Museum is a popular attraction located in the picturesque Leven Valley, near Newby Bridge, in the southern tip of Lake Windermere. The museum houses a unique collection of over 30,000 exhibits that trace the development of road transport throughout the twentieth century, including cycles, motorbikes, motor cars and automobilia.

Opening Times

The Lakeland Motor Museum is open every day of the year, except for Christmas Day and Boxing Day. The opening hours are from 10 am to 5 pm, with the last admission being at 4 pm. Visitors are advised to check the website for any changes in opening times, especially during bank holidays and special events.

Prices

The admission prices for the Lakeland Motor Museum vary depending on the age of the visitor. Adults (16 years and over) are charged £12.50, while children (5-15 years) are charged £8.50. Children under 5 years of age can enter for free. The museum also offers discounted rates for seniors, students, and families. Visitors are advised to check the website for the latest prices and special offers.

Tickets

Visitors can purchase tickets for the Lakeland Motor Museum on arrival or online in advance. Tickets purchased online are valid for one year from the date of purchase and can be used on any day the museum is open. Visitors who purchase tickets online can avoid the queues and go straight to the admission desk.

Website

The Lakeland Motor Museum has a comprehensive website that provides visitors with all the information they need to plan their visit. The website includes details on the museum’s exhibits, events, and facilities, as well as information on how to get to the museum, where to park, and where to eat. Visitors can also purchase tickets online and find out about any special offers or discounts. The museum’s website is easy to navigate and provides visitors with a great deal of information.

Windermere Lake Cruises

Windermere Lake Cruises offers visitors a unique way to experience the beauty of Windermere Lake while also visiting the Lakeland Motor Museum. The cruises allow visitors to explore the lake and take in the stunning scenery while also providing transportation to the museum. The cruises run at various times throughout the day, with the first cruise departing at 10:30 am and the last cruise departing at 4:30 pm. Visitors can choose from a variety of ticket options, including a combined ticket that includes entry to the Lakeland Motor Museum, or a ticket that is for the cruise only. The combined ticket offers visitors the chance to explore both attractions in one day or visit both within 5 days of each other on a discounted, combined ticket. The ticket includes the freedom to explore all of Windermere Lake by boat and entry to the Lakeland Motor Museum. For those who only wish to visit the museum, Windermere Lake Cruises also offers a ticket that is for entry to the museum only. Standard ticket prices for the museum are valid from Saturday 1st April 2023 until Sunday 29th October 2023. Visitors can access the museum via a boat trip from Bowness to Lakeside, which takes approximately 35 minutes. The museum is located close to the southern tip of Windermere Lake, near Newby Bridge. Visitors can find information on how to get to the museum and parking on the museum’s website. Overall, Windermere Lake Cruises offers visitors a unique and enjoyable way to experience the beauty of Windermere Lake while also providing transportation to the fascinating Lakeland Motor Museum.