History on Wheels Museum
Family-run museum in Eton Wick with military and civilian vehicles, wartime militaria and a large Princess Diana collection, open on selected days.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
The History on Wheels Museum in Eton Wick opened to the public in 1980. It is a privately funded, non-profit family museum built around the private collection of Tony Oliver, a third-generation collector with a special interest in the First and Second World Wars. The main building was originally an indoor riding school and was converted in the late 1970s. The first open days were held in the 1970s.
The collection covers military and civilian vehicles, militaria from 1900 to the 1950s from many nations, and everyday objects from the civilian and wartime home fronts. Visitors can watch films of vehicles in action in a cinema with more than 30 seats, walk through an air raid shelter display and visit a collectors’ shop with original items from the period 1900 to 1945.
The museum also holds thousands of items connected with Princess Diana, ranging from royal wedding souvenirs of 1981 to fine presentation pieces. The NAAFI café has a dining area and a patio with views of Windsor Castle. The whole museum is under cover.
Highlights
- Military and civilian vehicles from the early 20th century
- Militaria and home front objects from 1900 to the 1950s
- Princess Diana collection of thousands of items
- Cinema, air raid shelter display and NAAFI café with views of Windsor Castle
Permanent exhibitions
- Vehicles and militaria 1900–1950s – Military and civilian vehicles together with militaria and everyday objects from the civilian and wartime home fronts.
- Princess Diana collection – Thousands of items linked to Princess Diana, from 1981 royal wedding souvenirs to fine presentation pieces.
- Air raid shelter and museum cinema – A reconstructed Second World War air raid shelter display and a cinema showing films of the museum’s vehicles.
- Founded
- 1980
- Operated by
- Tony and Vera Oliver (private family museum)
Admission & discounts
| Adults | £8 |
|---|---|
| Reduced | £7Over 60s and students with ID |
| Children & teens | £6free up to age 4 · Ages 5 to 16; children under 5 enter free. |
| Seniors | £7Over 60s. |
| Students & apprentices | £7With student ID. |
| Groups | –Concessions apply to all school, club and group visits. |
| Families | £252 adults and 2 children, or 1 adult and 3 children. |
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible
- Elevator: no information
- Accessible restroom: no information
- Accessible parking: no information
- Service dogs welcome: no information
- Tactile models & exhibits: no information
- Sign language tours: no information
- Easy-to-read materials: no information
- Audio description: no information
The museum describes itself as wheelchair friendly, with all galleries under cover.
Kids & families
Great for kids & families
| Kids’ admission | free up to age 4 |
|---|---|
| Family ticket | £25 · 2 adults and 2 children, or 1 adult and 3 children. |
The museum describes its displays as suitable for visitors of all ages, from grandparents to grandchildren.
Getting there & parking
The museum is in Eton Wick, about 2.5 miles from M4 junction 7 and about 3 miles from Windsor High Street. The museum’s website gives road directions from the M4 and from Windsor.
Get directionsAmenities & dining
- Café
- Museum shop
The NAAFI Café has a dining area and, in summer, a patio with views of Windsor Castle. The Museum Collectors Shop sells original collectable items from 1900 to 1945.
Events & venue rental
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Plan your visit
| Good to know | The cinema shows a half-hour film of the museum’s military vehicles in action. Vehicle club and group bookings are welcome on request. |
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