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Registered Charity No. 509420 |
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We are proud to have some of the finest transport collections in the country among our affiliated organisations and remember, our members are entitled to free entry to these collections. Black Country Museum Discover a fascinating world when you visit this urban heritage park in the shadow of Dudley Castle at the heart of the Black Country. Historic buildings from all around the Black Country have been moved and authentically rebuilt at the Museum, to create a tribute to the traditional skills and enterprise of the people that once lived in the heart of industrial Britain. Electric tramcars and trolleybuses transport visitors back in time from the modern exhibition halls to the canal-side village, where costumed demonstrators and working craftsmen bring the buildings to life with their local knowledge, practical skills and unique Black Country humour. The motorcycle exhibition in its present form was brought about by the purchase of the Marston Collection of Black Country marques, funded jointly by the Heritage Lottery Fund and the BMCT. Naturally, Sunbeam and AJS feature heavily, but there are also examples of Wolf, Stevens, Orbit, Diamond and Clyno. Exciting developments for the future include a recreation of a 1930’s motorcycle shop. With 26 acres of living history there is plenty to see and do. The museum is open all year round except for the Christmas holiday. BMCT Bikes currently exhibited:-
The Brooklands Museum tells the story of the development of British motorsport and aviation at the site from 1907. Brooklands-based aviation companies such as Sopwith, Martinsyde and Vickers played a key role in the development of aviation. Displays and exhibits portray the contribution of the area in both world wars, and also in the post-war years with Vickers and later BAC. An exhibition on Grand Prix motor racing can also be seen, and a small but significant motorcycle collection is situated in one of the old sheds. The BMCT is proud to have one of its own machines on display, the 1920 Martinsyde-Newman which was built on the site when aircraft production slowed in the aftermath of World War I. The bike is currently being recommissioned by the enthusiastic motorcycle volunteer group, and will be seen in action at some of the museum events planned for this year. The new Concorde exhibition is open for limited viewing while the interior is being fitted, and should be fully open in the near future. Opening hours for the museum are 10-5 in summer and 10-4 in winter. They are closed for the Christmas holidays.
Coventry is the birthplace of the British cycle and motor industry, and the Museum displays the world’s largest collection of British road transport, including 240 cars, commercial vehicles and buses, 100 motorcycles, over 200 cycles and around a million archive and ephemera items. One of the main attractions is the Spirit of Speed exhibition, where you can take a ride in a simulator to find out exactly what it took for Andy Green to crack the sound barrier in Thrust SSC. Opened in 2006, the Motorcycle Gallery was part funded by a grant from the BMCT and features the Museum’s collection of historic motorbikes, celebrating the once thriving British motorcycle industry. Most of the machines on display are Coventry-built by prominent manufacturers such as Triumph, Francis Barnett and Rudge. Other non-Coventry manufacturers represented include Norton and BSA. The gallery explores the rise and fall of Coventry’s motorcycle industry, its place in the wider British industry, and its relationship with the City’s car and cycle manufacturers. Visitors can enjoy thematic displays on Mods and Rockers, racing motorcycles and iconic British motorcycles in film and on TV. The museum is open every day apart from the Christmas Holiday period. BMCT Bikes currently exhibited:- Haynes International Museum Situated just off the A303 near Yeovil in Somerset, the Haynes International Motor Museum is the UK’s largest exhibition of the greatest cars from around the world and the perfect all weather attraction. It is a living and working museum with over 350 amazing cars and bikes from nostalgic classics to modern supercars. The famous Red Room contains 50 beautiful red sports cars from around the world, including an AC Cobra and Lamborghini Countach. The new British Motorcycle Hall (created with the help of the BMCT) contains many superb classics, such as a Manx Norton Model 40M and a Brough Superior SS80. There is a restaurant serving freshly cooked meals and West Country cream teas, and the well stocked gift shop features a host of books from the nearby Haynes Publishing company. Although primarily a car museum, the management are actively engaged with the BMCT in increasing the profile of motorcycles at Sparkford. The new British Motorcycle Gallery and Resource Centre, new developments funded with grant aid from the BMCT, opened in 2007.
Heritage Motor Centre - Gaydon This is a mainly car-oriented museum with a strong BL/Jaguar/Rover/Triumph flavour. Recently reopened after a multi million pound redevelopment some fascinating cars are displayed here, including prototypes that have never been seen by the public before. The motorcycle presence is low key, and the trustees are working with British Motor Heritage to promote this aspect of the collection. Watch this space for developments. The LMM - London’s only motorcycle museum - is the capital’s friendly focus for Britain’s biking history and heritage. Not only do they have some 80 machines and other exhibits on permanent display – they have another 50/60 machines in reserve, and a knowledgeable staff with a wealth of personal insights and stories. The growing collection includes a 1902 Ormonde (a past participant in the Pioneer Run) and a 1903 Clyde (with unique SIMS magneto); a clutch of unique prototypes and ‘media stars’ which cannot be seen anywhere else; a barrel load of other British machines, including racers and road bikes from ABC to Zenith; the last Triumph T140 out of the Meriden gates in 1983 and a 1991 Norton rotary in Paramedic livery. But the LMM isn’t just a great static display. Their bikes have appeared in shows and exhibitions in Rio de Janeiro’s National History Museum, Moto Salon in Paris, a Milan fashion show, and Liberty’s store in London – as well as starring in Eastenders, Dads Army and George and Mildred! Plans for the future include enlarging the display area by converting buildings on the site that are presently used to store the overspill of machines! The LMM is currently open weekends and Bank Holidays throughout the year. BMCT machines currently exhibited
The National Motorcycle Museum opened its doors in October 1984, with a collection of more than 350 motorcycles on display. The award winning conference and banqueting facilities grew out of interest in the museum and followed on in 1985. The venue soon started to attract many of the countries most famous and important machines. Since opening, this magnificent centre has become the largest motorcycle museum in the world and attracts around 250,000 visitors a year. One of the biggest attractions for many guests is the comprehensive cross-section of machines, spanning the “60 Glorious Years” of motorcycle manufacturing in this country. The museum’s aim is to preserve these pieces of history for future generations to come, as a reminder of this great nations industry, engineering prowess and work ethic. Within the five exhibition halls will be found some 650 plus machines, fully restored to the manufacturers’ original specifications. On 16 September 2003, the museum suffered a devastating fire, resulting in damage to 75% of the structure and some 400 machines. Due to the determination of the owner, staff and contractors, the museum doors re-opened on 1 December 2004. The museum is open every day, apart from the Christmas holiday period.
National Motor Museum- Beaulieu Few museums in the world can match the unique collection of the world renowned National Motor Museum at Beaulieu. Managed by the National Motor Museum Trust, Beaulieu is also the home of the world famous Beaulieu Motorcycle World, and the International Autojumble. Whether your interest is as an individual, a motor enthusiast, or as a member of an interest group or educational party, when it comes to cars, motorbikes, commercial vehicles, motoring eccentricities and memorabilia, the National Motor Museum is firmly in the driving seat. With the Collection now comprising some 250 vehicles - from some of the earliest examples of motoring to legendary World Record Breakers like Bluebird and Golden Arrow - you are sure to find something to fascinate you. There are many fascinating motorcycles on display, including a Mark I Ariel Square Four, BAT, Coventry Eagle, and the famous 1912 Norton “Old Miracle”. A permanent, multi award-winning 1930's garage has been created within the Museum, complete down to the last nut and bolt and rusty drainpipe. Whilst the building is a complete fabrication, everything in it - all the fixtures, fittings, tools and ephemera - are genuine artefacts collected over a period of 25 years. The garage portrays the transition from blacksmith and wheelwright to a country garage servicing the needs of the 1930's motorist. Visitors are able to experience the working of garages of this era and can learn many interesting facts and trivia, such as why there were so many different petrol companies’ pumps on the forecourt. The museum is open every day of the year except Christmas Day.
The museum houses the finest collection of fully restored motorcycles in Europe, including factory racers and exotic prototypes, plus memorabilia spanning 7 decades of motorcycling for sport and for pleasure. There are over 300 rare and classic motorcycles on display in four galleries. The most recent of these, the Racing Gallery, was partly funded by a grant from the BMCT. This is a living museum. Sammy has taken his motorcycles to demonstrations at race circuits throughout Europe and as far away as New Zealand and America. Sam’s shop and workshop are right next door, so you can pick up some spares while you're there! Apart from the mouth watering motorcycles the museum has tea rooms, craft shop and a children’s play area with farm animals. Opening hours are 7 days a week all year round but can be closed at certain times in January and February. Please enquire for Christmas opening. BMCT Bikes currently exhibited:-
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