W.O. Bentley Memorial Foundation
Bentley history centre near Banbury with archive, library and museum displays, open to visitors by appointment.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
The W.O. Bentley Memorial Foundation was set up in 1998 as a registered charity. Its purpose is to look after a collection of Bentley records, photographs and objects that the Bentley Drivers Club had been gathering since 1936. It describes itself as the leading worldwide resource centre for Bentley history.
The foundation is based in the W.O. Bentley Memorial Building on Ironstone Lane at Wroxton, near Banbury, a building designed as a clubhouse for the Bentley Drivers Club. It holds an archive and library of documents, photographs, car histories, production records and books covering Bentley cars, motorcycles, aero engines, racing history and technical drawings from the nineteenth to the twenty-first century.
A regional museums listing says the museum tells the story of Walter Owen Bentley, born in 1888, and of the cars that carried his name. It mentions objects such as an early 3 Litre engine, a model of a 1930s racing Bentley, material on the Bentley Boys and the 2003 Le Mans win, and the trophies of the Bentley Drivers Club. Visits are by appointment.
Highlights
- Archive and library on Bentley cars, racing and technical history
- A 1920s 3 Litre engine and a model 1930s racing Bentley
- Material on the Bentley Boys and the 2003 Le Mans win
- Trophies and history of the Bentley Drivers Club
- Story of W.O. Bentley from his birth in 1888
Permanent exhibition
- Bentley history displays – Objects, models and documents tell the story of W.O. Bentley, the Bentley cars and the Bentley Drivers Club.
- Founded
- 2006
- Operated by
- W.O. Bentley Memorial Foundation
Admission & discounts
Admission is free.
A regional museums listing gives admission as free. The foundation's own website does not state a price.
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible: no information
- Elevator: no information
- Accessible restroom
- 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
A regional museums listing describes displays on the ground and first floor and a disabled toilet. The foundation's own website gives no access details, so please contact it before visiting.
Kids & families
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Getting there & parking
By public transit
There is no public transport to the site. A bus runs to Wroxton from Stratford-upon-Avon or Banbury, but the museum is about 1.3 miles from the village.
By car
Parking available
A regional museums listing mentions a private parking area.
The building stands at Apollo Park, Ironstone Lane, Wroxton, Banbury.
Get directionsAmenities & dining
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Events & venue rental
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Plan your visit
| Good to know | Telephone the foundation to book a visit; the contact page also has an enquiry form. The foundation hosts Bentley history presentations at Wroxton and at outside events. |
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