Looking for family attractions near Cheltenham this summer? The British Motor Museum is an easy drive into neighbouring Warwickshire and offers an exciting day out packed with interactive exhibits, fascinating British motoring history and family-friendly activities throughout the school holidays.

With child tickets available for just £1 throughout the Summer Holidays, it's also one of the best value family attractions in the Midlands this summer!

British Motor Museum £1 Child Tickets | Summer Days Out near Cheltenham

• Date and Time: Open every day in the Summer Holidays | 10am - 5pm 
• Location: British Motor Museum, Banbury Road, Gaydon, Warwickshire, CV35 0BJ 
• Distance from Cheltenham: Around 1 hour 15 mins by car 
• Suitable for: Families, children of all ages, car fans, curious minds and anyone looking for a fun summer day out
• Summer Savings: Child tickets are just £1 during the Summer Holidays (Ts and Cs apply)
• Booking: Book tickets online

The British Motor Museum has packed the Summer Holidays with interactive activities, family trails, creative workshops and exciting experiences included with admission. Whether your family loves gaming, engineering, crafting, history or simply discovering amazing vehicles, there's something for every age to enjoy.

Throughout the summer, visitors can dive into the world of Forza Horizon 6 in the new exhibition Forza Horizon 6: The Experience! Take in the sight of cars straight out of the game, before trying it for yourself on the simulators. Then, visitors can explore the incredible world of 80s and 90s hot hatches in Spoiler Alert: The Hot Hatch Story. All this plus over 400 historic British vehicles across the Museum

Why Visit the British Motor Museum This Summer? 

The British Motor Museum offers far more than rows of classic cars - there's something for everyone this summer!  

For the Gamers: Discover state-of-the-art Forza Horizon 6 racing simulators in the new Forza Horizon 6: The Experience exhibition! Take on high-octane tracks and see if you can top the leaderboard.

Plus, the Museum has teamed up with Playground Games to bring you the chance to win a Forza Horizon-themed goody bag each week of the holidays! You don't have to be fast, just record a time and complete the form to enter!

For the Young at Heart: Enjoy a trip down memory lane in the Spoiler Alert! exhibition, a vibrant celebration of the classic, everyday hot hatches of the 80s and 90s. Then, enjoy a Car Ride in one of the Museum’s retro motors, running Monday to Friday from 20 July to 28 August

For the Mini Explorers: Dive into daily sessions in our Creation Station and build your own car using real electronic circuits or craft your own Cube-Bots to take home. Then, discover a packed activity sheet and a family trail, searching for Tank around the Museum!

For the Littlest Adventurers: Swap your pushchairs for push-along Minis as you explore the Museum and give your kids a chance to get active in the outdoor play area. Uncover a morning of stories and playtime for Under 5s at Mini Motorist Mondays.

Booking: Book tickets online

Why Families Love the British Motor Museum

The British Motor Museum combines history, technology, creativity and hands-on fun, making it one of the best family attractions in the Midlands, and easy to access from Cheltenham. Whether your children love gaming, building, crafting or discovering incredible vehicles, there's enough to keep everyone entertained for hours.

"We visited the British Motor Museum for the first time in August and enjoyed it so much that we went back in January using the annual pass included in the ticket price. It’s clearly signposted on the way in, so getting there was easy. There is little ride-along cars available for children at the entrance. You can push them around the museum while you explore, and our kids loved it. It kept them engaged and made the whole day easier.

Even after spending an around 2 hours there on our first visit, we felt like we had only scratched the surface. There’s a lot to take in, and the second visit definitely didn’t feel like a repeat. There was a guided tour which we didn’t expect. The lady was very interesting and made a real effort with the kids. As part of the tour, we also got to go inside one of the old buses and other cars that are normally off limits.

We ate at the cafe on our first visit and food was very nice and fairly priced. If you bring your own lunch, there’s also a picnic area with indoor seating. Parking was straightforward. There’s a big car park right outside and we had no issues getting a space. The whole place felt very accessible too, with lifts and wide walkways that made it easy to get around with a pushchair." - Google review

Visiting from Cheltenham

The British Motor Museum is an easy drive from Cheltenham, making it an easy and stress-free family day out during the Summer Holidays. With free parking, indoor exhibits, family-friendly facilities and activities running throughout the day, it's perfect whether you're planning ahead or looking for something to do at the last minute.

Booking: Book tickets online

The Ultimate Summer Family Day Out Itinerary

With so much to see, we’ve put together a handy itinerary to help you make the most of your day; feel free to pick and choose!

10:00am – Arrival & Passport Collection 

Head straight to the Family Activity Station or Mezzanine to grab your Activity Sheet and Tank Passport. This sets the kids up for a museum-wide treasure hunt to find the seven hidden cars starring in Forza Horizon 6.

10:30am – The Creation Station 

Head to the Learning Hub while everyone is fresh. Visitors aged 7+ can build an exhibition-inspired car and use circuitry to add lights and movement. For the 5–7s, they can build and decorate a cardboard Cube-Bot with working circuits to take home. (Last entry is at 3:00pm)

11:30am – Spotlight on... Spoiler Alert! Family Tour 

Join the dynamic duo - Simon Spoiler and Alice Alert, for a brilliant, energetic family tour through the Spoiler Alert! exhibition. It's a fantastic, interactive way to look closely at iconic 80s and 90s hot hatches, complete with a retro soundtrack.

12:00pm – Remote-Controlled Racing Hype 

Right after the tour, burn some serious rubber on the track! Pit yourself against the kids on the remote-controlled car course and see who can set the fastest lap time. 

12:30pm – Refuel & Lunch 

Head over to the Junction 12 Café for a bite to eat or find a spot to enjoy a packed lunch in the picnic area and give everyone a chance to look over their colouring-in sheets.

1:15pm – Retro 80s Car Ride 

Step outside to experience authentic motoring history. Head over to the track to take a nostalgic ride around the site in a classic 1980 Triumph Dolomite or a 1984 Vauxhall Astra. (Available Monday to Friday, 1:00pm - 3:00pm, subject to availability).

2:00pm – Forza Horizon 6: The Experience 

Make your way to the main feature exhibition. Explore the incredible line-up of physical sports cars and cult classics featured in the game, and then climb into a state-of-the-art racing simulator. Make sure to fill out the competition entry form after your race to enter the weekly Playground Games prize draw! 

3:30pm – Final Passport Stamps & Gift Shop 

Use your final hour to tick off any remaining hidden cars on your trail list, get your passport fully stamped, and collect your reward sticker from the Family Activity Station. End the day with a quick browse through the museum shop for a souvenir before heading home.

Book a stress-free day out that the whole family will love. Book your £1 child tickets now! (T&Cs apply) 

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is the British Motor Museum? The British Motor Museum is located in Gaydon, Warwickshire, within easy reach of Cheltenham, Gloucester, Stroud and The Cotswolds.

Is the British Motor Museum worth visiting from Cheltenham? Absolutely. Many families from The Cotswolds and Cheltenham visit for a full day out thanks to the huge collection of vehicles, interactive family activities and seasonal events throughout the year.

Is the British Motor Museum suitable for children with SEND or additional needs? Yes. The British Motor Museum aims to provide a welcoming experience for all visitors. The spacious galleries, interactive exhibits and family-friendly facilities, including a Changing Places toilet, make it suitable for many children with additional needs. If your child has specific requirements, it's recommended to contact the Museum before your visit to discuss how they can support your family. 

Is there parking? Yes, there is free parking available onsite.

How much are child tickets? Child tickets are just £1 during the summer holidays until 1st September 2026 (terms and conditions apply).

How long should we allow for our visit? Most families spend between four and six hours exploring the museum and taking part in the activities.

Is there a café at British Motor Museum? Yes. The Junction 12 Café serves a range of hot meals, light lunches, snacks, drinks and children's options. You're also welcome to bring a picnic to enjoy in the designated picnic areas.

Is the museum suitable for wheelchair users?  Yes. The museum is fully accessible, with step-free access throughout most of the building, accessible toilets, lifts and wheelchair access, making it easy for everyone to enjoy their visit.

Are baby changing facilities available? Yes. Baby-changing facilities are available on-site, making visits with babies and toddlers easy and convenient. 

Is the museum suitable for pushchairs? Yes. The museum is pushchair-friendly, with spacious galleries and step-free routes throughout.

Can I visit on a rainy day? Absolutely! As most of the attractions and activities are indoors, the British Motor Museum is one of the best rainy day family attractions in the Midlands.

Do I need to book? Booking online in advance is recommended, particularly during the Summer Holidays. Book tickets online.