Cotswold Motoring Museum
Cotswold Motoring Museum
4.5
10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Monday
10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Tuesday
10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Wednesday
10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Thursday
10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Friday
10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Saturday
10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Sunday
10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
About
Located in the picturesque village of Bourton on the Water, the Cotswold Motoring Museum is a fascinating journey through the 20th century that the whole family can enjoy. The Museum is bulging with great cars, quaint caravans, precarious looking motorcycles, enamel signs and an intriguing collection of motoring curiosities! Brum, the BBC TV's little super hero car whose adventures start and end at the museum can be found here every day.
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- fire-tower3,481 contributionsThis is a place where you really need to allocate sufficient time to enjoy the displaysPopped by Burton-on-the-Water during our Cotswold visit and we’re walking around town admiring the streams and bridges, and overall tranquillity and chance upon the Cotswold Motoring Museum. This is a place where you really need to allocate sufficient time to enjoy the displays. It has a very good gift shop which you can simply go wild, especially after visiting the museum.Visited September 2023Travelled with familyWritten 11 October 2023
- RhagnarSpennymoor, United Kingdom315 contributionsBrum? Who's he?Brilliant motor museum that seems to have endless rooms full of cars. There's all sorts of different types, quite a few of them driven by the Carry On actors, but I'll let you work that one out when you go. There's also a small car called "Brum" who apparently had his own TV series, but I'd never heard of him. The whole place is cluttered with shelves and cupboards full of motoring "stuff" is the only way I can describe it. I'd go back more than once. There's also a great gift shop.Visited June 2023Travelled with familyWritten 11 October 2023
- EmzaBath, United Kingdom5 contributionsSuperb collection delivered with a personal touch!Absolutely loved our visit to this jam-packed treasure trove of motoring memorabilia. Huge collection of vehicles and artefacts taking you on a journey through time. My partner & I thoroughly enjoyed the care taken with the displays; the music, sound and smell effects (!). Loved that it wasn’t run by a big corporation, had a great personal feel with hand-written information tags, great staff & quiz! Cool postcards & T-shirts in the shop. Well worth the entrance fee.Visited October 2023Travelled as a coupleWritten 20 October 2023
- AngelswifeLondon, United Kingdom270 contributionsA yes from us (2 adults and a toddler)Good value for money. Looks small from the outside but actually it’s never ending and not in a bad way! Good for kids and adults! Our toddler was scared of everything that moved and the maniquins, but he’s just a scardy cat 🤣Visited February 2024Travelled with familyWritten 18 February 2024
- Sam WLondon, United Kingdom20 contributionsA truly unique experience.Ended up going on a whim but was honsetly blown away by this wonderful little museum. It is truly a treasure trove of nostalic memorablia and felt like it had been meticulously planned to create a unique experience that appelaed to the senses (yes smells too!). Each section had it's own unique soundtrack of ambient sounds or music from that particular era in time and exhibits were adorned with carefully selected items to create a thoroughly enthralling experience. The town was busy, as I'm sure it often is, but the museum was a much more inimate and personal experience, as most tourists seemed to only visit the shop. Probably one of our most memorable musuem visits.Visited February 2024Travelled with familyWritten 19 February 2024
- kingdebBognor Regis, United Kingdom292 contributionsGood value for moneyIt's a great place to visit. We were amazed when we went in, there are so many items to see. It was certainly good value for money and great for all the family. We did enjoy our visit and found it to be a good experience. Hubby and I felt old, we're mid fifties, when we spotted the "Simon Game" in the toy part of the museum !! However we agree with another reviewer in that many of the cars you're not able to see properly as other display items stopped you. Possibly too many items crammed in. It was a rainy day and the museum inside was pretty chilly, if you feel thecold dress warmly.Visited March 2024Travelled as a coupleWritten 5 March 2024
- tartnjohnOlney, United Kingdom3,705 contributionsNostalgia, Nostalgia, Nostalgia - then Fury (when I saw the price of fuel!!!)As a member of CSMA (I don't like the name Boundless), I just had to visit the museum when in Bourton. An experience no one should miss, it's an absolute beaut of a place, whether you are a motoring enthusiast or not. I'm certainly not, but looking back on so many things which my 75 years has dimmed, really brought loads back. Whether the cars, the toys, the advertising - no words can describe but simply the experience, treatment from the staff (all volunteers), the sheer volume of stuff being displayed and the way it is displayed, have to be seen to be believed. My wife wasn't that interested so our visit was fairly sharp and short however, if I lived closer, I know I could spend many hours wandering amongst the exhibits which are stored and displayed in 8 rooms. If you have kids, take them. If you are over 25, go and if you are breathing your last - you must have your final memories rekindled. A not to be missed visit. Only disappointment - the fuel pump displaying petrol at 4/6d per gallon. I'm sure I saw a few folks wiping tears from their eyes as they passed that exhibit.Visited March 2024Travelled with familyWritten 1 April 2024
- Sandra BSwanton Morley, United Kingdom37 contributionsExceptionalAbsolutely brilliant, good value, and so much to see. I've never seen so much packed into each room. Loved seeing Brum. Highly recommend. Dog friendly too.Visited May 2024Travelled as a coupleWritten 26 May 2024
- Heddy GMalvern, Pennsylvania611 contributionsHighly RecommendAbsolutely loved this museum. So much to see in such a small space. We had a lot of fun looking in every nook and cranny. Friendly staff as well, willing and happy to answer many questions.Visited June 2024Travelled as a coupleWritten 15 June 2024
- sgmt9London, United Kingdom17 contributionsGreat interesting MuseumGreat etailed museum and much larger inside than it looks from outside. Boundless members get free entry and one free adult and up to 5 kids free. If you like nostalgia and things from the past you will enjoy this museum.Visited June 2024Travelled with familyWritten 7 July 2024
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4.5
2,126 reviews
Excellent
1,486
Very good
545
Average
74
Poor
13
Terrible
8
SJBerkshire81
Thatcham, UK108 contributions
Aug 2020 • Couples
What a lovely museum, a lot bigger than it looks. Well worth the £6.50 entrance fee. Took us both back to our youth, with the toys and then the cars. There was no pressure to look round quickly, felt secure not too many people in the museum at a time. If we come back to Bourton in the Water we will be going around again. Big bonus is it’s dog friendly.
Written 12 August 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Julian C
2 contributions
Nov 2019
I visited this with my wife and young daughter, and was initially worried that I'd be fascinated by the cars and they would be bored to tears. Luckily, I couldn't have been more wrong. The museum is so much more than cars and the displays are little slices of history, with the vehicles displayed in period context. There are also displays of old fashioned garages, a blacksmiths shop and all sorts of other delights. The other amazing thing is the size of it. I thought it was quite small, judging from the entrance, but it unfolds as you walk through, moving from one room to another to yet another, seemingly endlessly. We will definitely be returning and would highly recommend it to pretty much anyone!
Written 27 February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Cameron B
Sevenoaks, UK50 contributions
Aug 2020
An interesting museum that could take hours to thoroughly explore. Covers a wide range from children's toys and collectibles, through to caravans and signage.
Unfortunately given the current situation there isn't much room for people to pass each other and we were effectively pressured into running around due to the guests behind us and their reluctance to pass. I appreciate the museum being open, but consideration should be given to passing spaces in each room perhaps.
Unfortunately given the current situation there isn't much room for people to pass each other and we were effectively pressured into running around due to the guests behind us and their reluctance to pass. I appreciate the museum being open, but consideration should be given to passing spaces in each room perhaps.
Written 4 August 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Lorraine C
Morecambe, UK94 contributions
Jul 2021 • Couples
This little museum is well worth a visit.It's full of everything u expect a motor museum should have.Although it's not very big it still has plenty of artefacts and lots of things of interest including toys from over the years.It took me back to my childhood.It also is the home of "Brum".At £6.75 entrance fee I thought this was good value. Worth a visit if your ever in Bourton on the water.
Written 18 July 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jeremy N
Peterborough, UK120 contributions
Sept 2020
Popped in late on a wet Wednesday and all in our party of 5 were delighted with just how much is crammed into every corner of the museum. From the delightful toy exhibits with your favourite old time children's TV show themes playing in the background to the plethora of cars and motorbikes on display throughout several large buildings there was WAY more than we were expecting and enjoyed it all. Thoroughly recommended to anyone passing through or in the area.
Written 30 September 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
GoldsmithEssex
Hockley, UK76 contributions
Oct 2020
This museum is like a tardis and I am sure most people will enjoy their visit. It feels a little cramped but they keep an eye on people through CCTV. We did however, encounter a young couple who kept on walking back towards us which clearly was not allowed. Overall a very good experience
Written 14 October 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Michael K
London, UK551 contributions
Sept 2020
This is an entertainingly quaint place, full of nostalgia for the early years of the motor industry. When you arrive, you are treated first to toys and model cars, the products of Frank Hornby and others. Music from the 50s and 60s plays. You do get to see a number of old cars, mainly British made, including some marques that have died out, or that you have never heard of! Beside most of them is an information board, well-written and answering questions you might have asked. You learn a bit about how the development of motor travel affected the way of life, particularly in the countryside, with blacksmiths turning into garages. Every room is absolutely crammed, clearly the result of obsessive collecting. This is not a complete history of the motor car, but is interesting nonetheless, and not just for petrolheads.
Written 3 October 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Andywheel
Lingfield, UK354 contributions
Mar 2022 • Couples
As we were in the area we decided to visit this quant museum
It is really well maintain with lots of things to see. It was very interesting seeing all the exhibits and the written information explained what we were seeing, I believe there was audio as well which could be accessed via your phone but we didn’t use this facility.
As you move though the museum you advance through the years and it was fun seeing vehicles I remembered from my youth!!
The entrance fee is very good and it is well worth the visit if you are in the area
It is really well maintain with lots of things to see. It was very interesting seeing all the exhibits and the written information explained what we were seeing, I believe there was audio as well which could be accessed via your phone but we didn’t use this facility.
As you move though the museum you advance through the years and it was fun seeing vehicles I remembered from my youth!!
The entrance fee is very good and it is well worth the visit if you are in the area
Written 13 March 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Meerulover
Dorset, UK63 contributions
Feb 2023 • Couples
What a wonderful experience, 8 rooms packed to the rafters of cars, bikes, caravans, car parts, memorabilia and lots of wonderful personal stories about the vehicles. Entry fee was little more than the cost of a coffee and cake in the nearby cafes and well worth every penny.
I went in because I knew my husband would enjoy it but loved it as much as he did. I highly recommend that you add this to your list of places to visit.
I went in because I knew my husband would enjoy it but loved it as much as he did. I highly recommend that you add this to your list of places to visit.
Written 13 February 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
MABMCB
Newquay, UK26 contributions
Jun 2021 • Couples
So much more than you would expect from the outside.
The museum is situated in a pretty Cotswold village. There are many more cars than I expected from the outside plus lots of toys, some vintage caravans and a wealth of ephemera from the eras of the vehicles. I prefer to see a variety such as this as many museums focus on displaying just a few items, then you wonder what else you could have seen that was stored away.
Entry was spaced out for obvious reasons and if people behind wanted to go through more quickly, there was room for them to pass. Great to see Brum, who I watched so often when my daughter was small.
The museum is situated in a pretty Cotswold village. There are many more cars than I expected from the outside plus lots of toys, some vintage caravans and a wealth of ephemera from the eras of the vehicles. I prefer to see a variety such as this as many museums focus on displaying just a few items, then you wonder what else you could have seen that was stored away.
Entry was spaced out for obvious reasons and if people behind wanted to go through more quickly, there was room for them to pass. Great to see Brum, who I watched so often when my daughter was small.
Written 13 June 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Do you have to pre book? Can’t see anywhere to online. Thanks :)
Written 16 February 2023
At a busy time of year we just turned up and short queue
Written 18 February 2023
Michael T
Bourton-on-the-Water, United Kingdom
Hi, thanks for the enquiry. We are open from mid February until early December, everyday, 10am until 6pm. Last admission 5.30pm
Written 21 June 2019
No, but as you come out there is a restaurant to the side of it and many nearby it's in the centre of the village
Written 21 March 2019
I believe they are open first couple of weeks in December then closed until the New Year.
Written 20 October 2017
How long do visitors spend here?
Written 12 October 2017
Just walking round slowly without really stopping to look and read all the excellent info would take approx 30 mins... so relax, slow down, enjoy and be educated and take about 90 mins!
Written 14 January 2018
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