The Cotswold Motoring Museum in Bourton‑on‑the‑Water is one of Gloucestershire’s most charming and nostalgic attractions, celebrating over a century of British motoring history. Set inside a series of stone mill buildings, it feels like stepping into a time capsule where classic cars, vintage motorcycles and quirky memorabilia tell the story of how Britain fell in love with the open road. One of its most delightful claims to fame is being the home of Brum, the beloved children’s TV car, whose bright yellow body still greets visitors. Inside, the museum unfolds through themed galleries packed with character. The Blacksmith’s Workshop and Garage Scene recreate early motoring life with tools, signs and period equipment. The collection includes everything from elegant 1920s tourers and post‑war family cars to scooters, caravans and pedal toys. Each vehicle is surrounded by everyday objects—maps, petrol pumps, enamel signs—that bring the era vividly to life. The Motorcycle Gallery showcases British engineering classics, while the Toy Collection adds a playful touch with model cars and transport‑themed games. Personal stories from drivers, mechanics and collectors enrich the displays, giving the museum a warm, human feel.
Bourton-on-the-Water United Kingdom
The Cotswold Motoring Museum sits in the heart of the pretty Cotswold village of Bourton-on-the-Water at The Old Mill, Bourton-on-the-Water, Gloucestershire GL54 2BY. Housed in a former mill beside the River Windrush, it is packed with classic cars, motorcycles, caravans, toys and nostalgic motoring memorabilia from the twentieth century, including the famous little car Brum from the children’s television series. Bourton-on-the-Water itself is a delightful place to wander, with its low stone bridges and clear streams. Just a short stroll away you will find the charming Model Village, a detailed miniature version of the town built in local stone, and Birdland, home to a colourful collection of birds and animals. The surrounding Cotswold countryside offers gentle walks, and nearby market towns such as Stow-on-the-Wold provide more shops, cafés and historic streets to explore.