Lakeland Motor Museum

About the museum

The museum was founded in 1978 at Holker Hall near Grange-over-Sands to show the collection of cars and motoring memorabilia that Donald Sidebottom had been gathering since the 1960s. In 2006 the collection was bought by a company linked to Windermere Lake Cruises, and in 2010 it moved to its present home at Backbarrow in the Leven Valley.

The museum is housed in the Old Blue Mill, a former industrial site once connected with the production of dye and packaging, beside the River Leven. Its collection now holds some 30,000 objects that follow the development of road transport through the twentieth century: cars, motorcycles, cycles, pedal cars and a large body of motoring memorabilia.

A special exhibition honours Sir Malcolm Campbell and his son Donald, who together set 21 world land and water speed records in the Bluebird cars and boats. Other displays include Vincent motorcycles, an Isle of Man TT tribute, reconstructed scenes such as a 1920s garage, a 1950s café and period shops, and exhibits on the history of the mill, local ironworks, woodland industries and gunpowder making in the Lake District.

Highlights

• Campbell Bluebird exhibition on Sir Malcolm and Donald Campbell's speed records
• About 140 classic cars and motorbikes
• One of the largest collections of motoring memorabilia in the UK, according to the museum
• Reconstructed 1920s garage, 1950s café and period shops
• Displays on local industries of the Leven Valley

Permanent exhibitions

• Campbell Bluebird exhibition – A tribute to Sir Malcolm and Donald Campbell and the Bluebird cars and boats with which they set 21 world land and water speed records.
• Cars, motorcycles and motoring memorabilia – Vintage, veteran and classic cars, motorcycles, pedal cars and cycles, together with a large collection of automobilia.
• Memory Lane and local history – Reconstructed scenes such as a 1920s garage, a 1950s café and period shops, plus displays on the Blue Mill, ironworks, woodland industries and gunpowder making.

Founded

1978

Operated by

Lakeland Motor Museum Limited

Admission & discounts

Prices are listed as valid until 1 November 2026. Combined tickets with Windermere Lake Cruises and with the Lakeside and Haverthwaite Railway are available. Well-behaved dogs enter free.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible
• Elevator
• 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 museum describes all areas as accessible by wheelchair. Reception is at ground level with step-free access, and a hearing loop is installed at reception and at the shop counter. An automated lift with tactile buttons serves the first-floor displays and takes a wheelchair or mobility scooter plus one companion. A wheelchair can be borrowed. Seating is provided around the exhibits. The ground-floor toilets include an accessible unisex toilet, and the café has its own accessible toilet. Blue Badge bays in the car park opposite are less than 40 m from reception, and parking at the entrance can be arranged by telephone. Assistance dogs are welcome and water is provided.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide

Children are welcome and can ask for a children's quiz at reception. Families can buy a family ticket for two adults and up to three children.

Getting there & parking

The museum is on the A590 between Newby Bridge and Haverthwaite, about 20 minutes from M6 junction 36. The satnav postcode is LA12 8TA; follow the white-on-brown tourist signs.

Amenities & dining

• Café
• Museum shop

Café Ambio is attached to the museum and run by a separate company; it overlooks the River Leven and has a riverside terrace. The café and shop can be visited without a museum ticket.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Private parties
• Corporate events

Up to 100 guests.

Exclusive evening hire of the museum from 17:00 for groups of 20 to 100 people, with catering by Café Ambio at extra cost.

Plan your visit