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If you have vehicle enthusiasts in the family, Lakeland Motor Museum is an easy hit, with enough variety to keep the whole family interested.
Set in a converted mill near Newby Bridge, the museum houses more than 30,000 exhibits tracing the development of road transport through the 20th century. While cars and motorbikes take centre stage, there is a good mix of bicycles, toy displays, recreated shops and hands-on games that help break things up for children.
It isn’t a huge museum, but it is packed with exhibits, making it easy to spend a couple of hours exploring, and one to keep up your sleeve for a rainy day.
Where is Lakeland Motor Museum?
Lakeland Motor Museum is located just off the A590 between Newby Bridge and Haverthwaite, close to Lake Windermere. It’s a 15-20 minute drive from Bowness-on-Windermere.
Address: Old Blue Mill, Backbarrow, Ulverston LA12 8TA
Click here for Google Maps location
It is well signposted from the main road, with free parking on site. Do note that the car park sits across a small road from the entrance, so take care with little ones.
Opening Times
Lakeland Motor Museum is open daily from 9:30am to 5:30pm (last admission 4:30pm). It only closes on Christmas Day.
Ticket Prices
- Adult (16+): £13.25
- Child (5–15): £7.90
- Under 5s: Free
- Family (2 adults + up to 3 children): £36.00
Tickets can be purchased on arrival, pre-booking is not required.
Visitors with an LA or CA postcode can apply for a local residents’ discount card, issued at reception with proof of address. It can make a noticeable difference for families.
What to Expect from Your Visit
Lakeland Motor Museum is laid out as a one-way journey through two floors, packed tightly with exhibits. While the focus is motoring history, the experience feels more like a series of themed displays rather than a traditional museum.
It is also a very hands-off museum, with “please do not touch” signs throughout. Older children will usually be fine with this, but younger ones who like to explore hands-on may need a gentle reminder as they go round.
The museum is pushchair and wheelchair friendly, with lift access between floors.
Allow around 1–1.5 hours for your visit.
The Car Collection
The main attraction is the collection of cars, ranging from early motoring history through to well-known classics. Children will spot everything from bubble cars and vintage sports cars to the DeLorean.
Bikes, Toys and Arcade Games
Beyond cars, there is a varied mix of bicycles, motorbikes and scooters, along with toy vehicles and model displays. A highlight for families is the vintage-style arcade area, where children can try out mechanical games. Most machines take 20p or £1 coins, so it’s worth bringing change.
Recreated Shops and Everyday Life
One of the most interesting sections is the recreated shopfronts and everyday life displays. These offer a snapshot of life in earlier decades.
Donald Campbell Exhibition
Across the courtyard, the Donald Campbell Exhibition tells the story of Britain’s land and water speed record attempts. It includes full-size Bluebird replicas and a short film covering Campbell’s record-breaking runs, including his final attempt on Coniston Water.
Café Ambio
Café Ambio is located across the courtyard and a handy stop to refuel at the end of your visit. It serves hot meals, sandwiches, cakes and drinks, with plenty of indoor seating and a relaxed atmosphere.
Facilities
Visitors will find:
- Free parking
- Toilets
- Baby changing facilities
- Lift access
- Gift shop
- Café on site
The museum route both starts and ends through the gift shop, which stocks toys, books and motoring-themed souvenirs.
The Lake District Kids Verdict
Lakeland Motor Museum isn’t just for car enthusiasts. While the vehicles are the main draw, the mix of quirky displays, toy exhibits and recreated shops gives children plenty to look at along the way.
It is worth stressing that this is a very hands-off museum with “please do not touch” signs throughout, so it is not the best fit for curious toddlers who want to interact with everything.
But for a couple of hours near Windermere, it’s a lovely little stop.
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