Great British Car Journey
Museum of British motoring in a former wire works at Ambergate, where visitors can also drive classic cars on site with an instructor.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
The Great British Car Journey is a motoring museum on a former wire works site beside the River Derwent at Ambergate in Derbyshire. The works closed in 1996 after about 120 years of production and employed hundreds of people at its height. The museum was opened in May 2021 by Richard Usher, who had earlier owned the Blyton Park racing circuit.
The collection shows how British cars were designed and built from the 1920s to the present day, with well over a hundred vehicles on display. Everyday family cars such as the Morris Minor and Austin Allegro stand alongside sports cars and oddities such as the Sinclair C5 and the DeLorean. An interactive audio-visual guide tells the stories of the cars and of industry pioneers such as Herbert Austin, William Morris and the Rootes brothers.
What sets the museum apart is its driving experience, called Drive Dad's Car. Visitors can book a short drive in a classic car around the site with an instructor. For younger visitors there are a Mini Land Rover course and a Hot Wheels track, and the Filling Station Café and a gift shop complete the site.
Highlights
- Over 130 British cars from 1922 to the present
- Drive Dad's Car: drive a classic car with an instructor
- Interactive audio-visual guide
- Sinclair C5 and DeLorean
- Mini Land Rover Adventure and Hot Wheels track for children
- Filling Station Café
Permanent exhibition
- The Great British Car Journey collection – More than a hundred British cars from the 1920s to today, with an interactive guide on car makers and the history of the British motor industry.
- Founded
- 2021
- Operated by
- Great British Car Journey
Admission & discounts
| Adults | £18.75 |
|---|---|
| Children & teens | £8.50free up to age 4 · Ages 5 to 15; the on-the-day price is £9.95. |
| Visitors with disabilities | –companion free · Registered carers accompanying a disabled visitor who pays full entry are free with ID. |
| Groups (12+ people) | £17.50 per personPre-booked groups of 12 or more: adult £17.50, child free. Groups of 25 or more: adult £16. Coach drivers and approved guides are free. |
| Families | £45Two adults and up to three children; £47.50 on the day. |
| Annual pass, adult | £45One-year membership of the Great British Car Club. |
| Annual pass, couple | £75Two adults. |
| Annual pass, family | £85 |
| Mini Land Rover Adventure | £12.50Includes entry for one child. |
| Hot Wheels Riverside Raceway | £10Includes two Hot Wheels cars. |
| Guided tour for groups (10 or more), per person | £25.95Advance price. |
Free admission: Children go free during the October half term (19 to 30 October, as advertised in 2026).
Prices shown are advance online prices for the museum; the adult price on the day is £19.95. Drive Dad's Car tickets and drive vouchers cost extra and are priced separately. Ticket holders can buy a discounted drive voucher on the day if driving is not available.
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible
- Elevator: no information
- Accessible restroom
- Accessible parking
- Service dogs welcome
- Tactile models & exhibits: no information
- Sign language tours: no information
- Easy-to-read materials: no information
- Audio description: no information
The car park is level with ramped access into the attraction, which is on one level with space for wheelchairs and mobility scooters. Seating is provided throughout. Wheelchairs can be borrowed for the day if reserved by phone. A Bluetooth hearing loop works with the audio-visual guide. Blue Badge spaces are beside the entrance. The café and shop are on the ground floor and accessible.
Kids & families
Great for kids & families
| Kids’ admission | free up to age 4 |
|---|---|
| Family ticket | £45 · Two adults and up to three children; £47.50 on the day. |
- Family tours & workshops
- Hands-on stations
The museum calls itself family friendly. Children can try the Mini Land Rover Adventure and the Hot Wheels Riverside Raceway, and junior drives are offered.
Getting there & parking
By public transit
Oak Hurst bus stop · 100 m
Ambergate station, on the East Midlands Railway Matlock line between Matlock and Derby or Nottingham, is about a 15-minute walk away. Trans Peak buses between Matlock and Derby along the A6 stop at Oak Hurst, about 100 metres from the entrance.
By car
Parking available
A hard-surfaced main car park and overflow car park are on site. Blue Badge spaces are beside the entrance. A woodland walk guide with extended parking can be bought for £3 by museum visitors.
- Accessible parking
The museum is on the A6, between Belper and Matlock. Sat nav postcode DE56 2HE.
Get directionsAmenities & dining
- Café
- Museum shop
The Filling Station Café serves barista coffee, snacks and meals. On weekdays it is open to everyone without a museum ticket; at weekends and on bank holidays it is for museum visitors only. There is also a gift shop.
Events & venue rental
- Spaces for rent
- Corporate events
Corporate events, meetings, private tours, driving days and marquee hire are offered.
Plan your visit
| Guided tours | yes |
|---|---|
| Audio guide | yes (EN) |
| School programs | yes |
| Good to know | An interactive audio-visual guide tells the stories of the cars. Guided tours are available for groups of 10 or more. Car clubs and schools can arrange visits. |
