The Bugatti Trust
Museum and study centre on the Prescott Hill Climb site, devoted to Ettore Bugatti and his family, with a Bugatti racing car and a large technical archive.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
The Bugatti Trust was created in 1987 by the late Hugh Conway, a leading authority on Bugatti history and an aeronautical design engineer, together with a small group of enthusiast friends. The archive began with Conway's own collection and now holds about 27,000 technical drawings, more than 10,000 photographs and thousands of historic documents.
The museum and study centre at Prescott Hill, near Gotherington in the Cotswolds, was paid for by the sale of one of Conway's Bugatti cars. The Duke of Edinburgh opened it on 16 March 1990. In 2019 it won the Museum of the Year award at the Octane Historic Awards.
The permanent display includes an original Bugatti racing car, examples of Ettore Bugatti's engineering and design, sculptures by Rembrandt Bugatti, furniture by Carlo Bugatti, family artefacts and racing memorabilia. Staff give each visitor a personal introduction, and video material and digital kiosks add detail. Each year a themed exhibition looks at a member of the family, a Bugatti type, a works driver or an event.
The Trust is an independent educational charity. It opens its photograph and document archives and its library to researchers and runs a STEM outreach programme with schools, colleges and universities.
Highlights
- Original Bugatti racing car on display
- Sculptures by Rembrandt Bugatti and furniture by Carlo Bugatti
- Archive of about 27,000 technical drawings
- Personal introduction for every visitor
- Annual themed exhibitions
Permanent exhibition
- Permanent exhibition – Bugatti cars, sculptures, furniture, photographs, drawings, patents and models that show the work of the Bugatti family, including an original racing car.
- Founded
- 1990
- Operated by
- The Bugatti Trust
Admission & discounts
| Adults | £7.50 |
|---|---|
| Children & teens | freefree up to age 15 · Under 16s are free when accompanied by an adult. |
Adult admission is £7.50. UK taxpayers who add a donation of at least 10 % to the admission fee can take part in Gift Aid.
Accessibility
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Kids & families
Great for kids & families
| Kids’ admission | free up to age 15 |
|---|
- Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide
The leaflet presents the museum as a visit for the whole family, and activity sheets are available for the youngest visitors. The Trust also runs STEM outreach for schools, including Formula Student, STEM Racing and VEX Robotics.
Getting there & parking
The museum is at Prescott Hill, the home of Prescott Motor Racing; visitors are asked to follow the signs for Prescott Motor Racing.
Get directionsAmenities & dining
- Museum shop
There is a small retail area on site, and Bugatti merchandise and books are also sold online.
Events & venue rental
- Spaces for rent
Up to 30 guests.
Groups of up to 30 can book meeting facilities, informal talks or illustrated lectures by arrangement. The Trust can also be booked for functions and car club visits, tailored and priced to each request.
Inquiries & detailsPlan your visit
| School programs | yes |
|---|---|
| Good to know | Every visitor receives a personal introduction from a member of staff, and video material and digital kiosks are available. Group visits can be tailored, and schools, colleges and universities can arrange complimentary visits. The photograph archive, document archive and library are open for research. |
