Suggest a visit to a Motoring Mecca

[skoff]

My birthday is coming up soon, I have some time off and would like to spend a day visiting somewhere that is a must for petrolheads.

I am based near Taunton, but I'm happy to travel for a couple of hours to get somewhere as I often find the journey can be as good as the destination (so, bonus points for somewhere with good roads en-route).

I have already visited the likes of Haynes, and did Beaulieu last year for the big four-oh on advice from you lot - which was an excellent day out.

I have considered a driving day 'experience', but I think I'd rather just go somewhere with no time schedule to stick to. Whilst 20 minutes driving an Aston round a track would be fun, I think my OH and daughter would want to come too, so that would be a weekend thing really. I am looking for a solitary treat that they wouldn't be interested in, car museum type thing, but original suggestions are always welcome.

Dates I have off are 12,13,14 March if that makes any difference.

[Highrisedrifter]

Brooklands Motor Museum with Mercedes-Benz World nearby, perhaps?

It's just inside the M25 near Weybridge so not sure how far that would be away from you.

[matthias73]

I recently took a bunch of germans to the heritage car museum in warwickshire.

It was absolutely brilliant if you like museums and gawping at the finest british motor cars!

[skoff]

Yes easily within striking distance, excellent suggestion thank you!

[skoff]

And another good one, thanks again...

[matthias73]

your welcome. I believe you can do a land rover test day thingy at the heritage centre as well.

Then you have the donningotn F1 museum if your are interested in F1

[mig25_foxbat2003]

Coventry Motor Museum is always worth a visit (if only for Thrusts 2 and SSC!). The bad news is that it's quite a way from you, so how about making a weekend out of it and doing Gaydon and Coventry in one hit? I'd recommend a stay in the Saxon Mill between Warwick and Leamington, which does top food and lovely rooms.

[skoff]

These are all superb suggestions, just what i am looking for, it's going to be hard to choose...

Big thank you to all

[rottie102]

London Motor Museum in Hayes if you're passing by London
Ask Elo to start "The Bone Shaker"...

http://www.londonmotormuseum.co.uk/

[Johnnytheboy]

matthias73 said:

I recently took a bunch of germans to the heritage car museum in warwickshire.

It was absolutely brilliant if you like museums and gawping at the finest british motor cars!

It's a big collection, but there's ever such a slight aura of failure about the place.

e.g. Land Speed Record cars that didn't break the record, and occasionally you find a really pretty looking sports car and think: "Wow! What's that? Oh, it's a prototype that they decided not to build..."

Still worth a visit though!

[williamp]

to expand on the Gaydon idea, you might be lucky and see some prototype Astons, Jaguar or land rovers on the roads close by. But its pure luck on your part if you do. You can then pop up to Coventry to see the excellent road transaport museum, as suggseted above.

You might also pass MIRA on the A5 near Hinckley and be lucky to sport something on the roads around there (again, pure luck)

You could also organise a trip around the Triumph motorbike factory in Hinckley (triumph.co.uk), see the testing at Mallory park on the 14th (no idea what is testing there), then up to Donington for the largest collection of F1 cars in the world. Norton are also based there, but have a very small premesis and might not be geard up for visitors.

If you're going back down the M1, then stop at J13 and drive into Newport Pagnall to see the Aston works service. http://www.astonmartin.com/works-service
If you ask very, very nicely you might be allowed inside. But dont expect to!

You could also try Noble and Ultima in Leicesterhsire, but these are very small and there might not be anything to see/might not be able tos ee anything

And Bruntingthorpe is by invitaton only, so you cannot simply turn up and see whats being tested

That lot will take a few dyas, and there are plenty of big cities to stay in/around with lots to see and do.

[Willy Nilly]

Not exactly a mecca, but if Honda do trips around their plant, it's always worth a look around a factory.

[matthias73]

Johnnytheboy said:

matthias73 said:

I recently took a bunch of germans to the heritage car museum in warwickshire.

It was absolutely brilliant if you like museums and gawping at the finest british motor cars!

It's a big collection, but there's ever such a slight aura of failure about the place.

e.g. Land Speed Record cars that didn't break the record, and occasionally you find a really pretty looking sports car and think: "Wow! What's that? Oh, it's a prototype that they decided not to build..."

Still worth a visit though!

I must agree, the huge line up of BL cars makes me rather sad. Its worthwhile finishing the day by looking at the aston next to the exit, as that way you end on a high. I got to sit inside it

[alangla]

If you like your bikes, consider the National Motorcycle Museum in Solihull (M42, near the NEC) - http://www.nationalmotorcyclemuseum.co.uk/

[Captain Muppet]

Willy Nilly said:

Not exactly a mecca, but if Honda do trips around their plant, it's always worth a look around a factory.

Just in case watching robots build Civics is a bit dull - there are tours around the Lotus factory.

[lazyitus]

I recommend the Donington Grand Prix collection - museum.

http://www.donington-park.co.uk/about-donington/th...

It's ACE. I know it's not on your doorstep but it's worth the journey imo.

[infradig]

Highrisedrifter said:

Brooklands Motor Museum with Mercedes-Benz World nearby, perhaps?

It's just inside the M25 near Weybridge so not sure how far that would be away from you.

Totally agree,Brooklands is amazing for the planes as well as cars and MB World has the added bonus of playing in the drift C63's or letting the kids drive an ML off road or whatever(for a fee,of course)