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For classic car buffs, a trip to the Haynes International Motor Museum feels like a journey to paradise!

At this shrine to all things motoring, you can see your favourite vintage vehicles close up in all their gleaming glory, and immerse yourself in the history of driving worldwide.

Even visitors who are less passionate about veteran, vintage or classic cars and motorcycles will find plenty to interest and entertain them: there’s family fun, karting and a café, too.

The museum, near Yeovil in Somerset, has won multiple awards and has now been given Visit England’s ‘We’re Good to Go’ industry charter mark, assuring you of a safe visit.

Before your trip, do check that all exhibits you want to see are open, book your ticket, and make sure you’ve got great insurance to cover your own vehicle for any mishaps along the way!

 

History of the Haynes Motor Museum

So who was Haynes, and what was his role in the motoring history of the UK?

John Haynes was a man after our own heart: a classic car enthusiast. But whereas most of us have to limit ourselves to owning one, or perhaps if we’re really lucky, a few vintage vehicles, Haynes acquired a significant collection.

It was his love for motoring that drove him to compile the renowned Haynes Owners Workshop Manuals, now translated into many languages and sold worldwide.

Each manual is based upon taking apart and putting together a specific model of car or motorcycle, with detailed step-by-step instructions, diagrams and photos of a real stripdown and rebuild.

The motor manuals are aimed at amateur enthusiasts, so you’ve probably used one yourself while restoring or carrying out maintenance on your own Mini Metro or vintage Volkswagen.

Did you know that one of the reasons that classic car insurance is often cheaper than regular vehicle cover is because owners like you look after your motors so beautifully?

The Haynes Motor Museum tells you more about the man, the motors and the manuals. It opened in 1985 with just 29 vehicles, and now houses a stunning collection of more than 400, including many rarities.

It promises a “drive through motoring history” - and we’re confident that you’ll find it a thrilling journey!

Vehicles on display: historical gems

The Haynes Motor Museum explores the history of motor vehicles from the very first models up to those you might still see on the roads today. And while there’s plenty of interesting information for you to read, what you’ve really come to see, of course, is the unrivalled collection of vehicles.

The following are just some of the displays you’ll find at the Haynes Motor Museum. The only drawback is that you can’t take the exhibits home with you!

But if you are inspired to add to your own collection, do contact us at Lancaster for your classic car insurance – we always love to help fellow enthusiasts get cover for their latest acquisitions.

Begin your exploration of the exhibits with a look at the ‘Dawn of Motoring’ and the ‘Veteran and Vintage’ displays.

These examine the very first applications of the internal combustion engine, with both replicas and real models from the Victorian and Edwardian eras, up to about 1930. We’re blown away by the 1903 Oldsmobile Curved Dash: the very first mass-produced automobile made on an assembly line.

For a blast from your own past, don’t miss the ‘Memory Lane’ selection of British cars from the 1940s to the 1970s. Is your parents’ old banger or your first set of wheels among the models on display? We just love the 1961 Vauxhall Victor Deluxe with its wraparound windscreen and rear window.

Or maybe your first car was a Mini? There’s a special section dedicated to the glory of tiny runabouts, from quirky European ‘bubble’ cars up to the great British Minis. If you think you could squeeze a miniature beauty like one of these into your own collection, contact Lancaster for your classic car insurance.

 

Vehicles on display: dream machines

While many visitors to the Haynes Motor Museum are there to learn about history or indulge in a little harmless nostalgia, cars are also about dreams.

Many of us enjoy wandering around the museum and imagining a more exotic lifestyle than the one we actually lead! And of course, if you do decide to make your motoring dreams a reality, contact us at Lancaster to arrange your insurance for your dream machine.

Perhaps you’d like to indulge your fantasies of living a lifestyle of luxury. The 1959 Armstrong Siddeley Star Sapphire is a thing of rare beauty, looking as polished now as it did half a century ago.

Or maybe you’ve always had a hankering for a vehicle from one of those great American road movies? The Haynes Motor Museum has a display of Chevrolets, Ford Model Ts and other great American cars spanning almost 100 years.

If, however, you always hankered after packing a pannier and heading off on a carefree tour of Europe with the wind on your face, then you’ll find plenty to enjoy in the British and World Motorcycles section. Who would you choose to accompany you in a sidecar?

Do motorsports set your pulse racing? Then don’t miss the Forshaw Speedway collection of motorcycles, or the Ferrari display. We’re putting a 1997 Ferrari 456 GTA on our Christmas list this year!

And have you ever seen anything quite like the 1975 Bricklin SV-1? Its gull-wing doors are opened by an electro-pneumatic device that calls to mind the famous ‘Back to the Future’ DeLorean. You’ll find it in the ‘World’ section, which displays vehicles from the USSR, India and many other countries.

Finally, for many enthusiasts, there is only one colour for a classic race car – and that’s red! The museum has a huge collection of red cars, all sports and grand-touring models. The 1959 Austin Healey Sprite Mk 1 is particularly eye-catching – with all those red cars, surely the museum wouldn’t mind if we borrowed just one?

A word of warning: if you do lend a friend your car, check what insurance they’ve got. They probably have only third party cover when driving cars that don’t belong to them, meaning that any damage to your beloved vehicle would not be included.

Best to choose a suitable insurance policy for your classic  for yourself, and invite your mates along for the ride as passengers.

Motoring events at Haynes

The Haynes Motor Museum usually has an eclectic programme of motor-related events for you to enjoy.

Thursday mornings are often ‘Restoration in Action’ times, when the museum’s volunteers will be carrying out maintenance work on one of the vehicles in the collection.

You can watch as they work, and ask questions about the process and the vehicle.

There are also regular ‘Curator Talks’, where a specialist from the Collections team will guide you through a topic such as ‘lost car marques’ and answer any questions you may have.

Most popular of all are the monthly Breakfast Clubs, where owners of classic motors meet to share their enthusiasm for their vehicles over a hearty breakfast from the museum café.

There are usually Sunday get-togethers for ‘vintage and classic cars’ (that is, anything pre-1980); ‘future classics’ (anything post-1980); and motorbikes. Check their calendar to find the next meet for your category of vehicle.

Of course, if you’re going to a Breakfast Club, you’ll want to show up in your vintage or classic vehicle so you can share the results of your restoration work with like-minded petrol-heads.

Make sure you choose the right classic car insurance from Lancaster to cover you for your trip. If you really love meeting up with fellow fans, we can arrange cover for historic car rallies, too.

 

Children’s activities

Got a mini motor fan in the family? There’s family fun for all ages at the museum, including special children’s activities during the holidays – though do always check what’s open before making the trip.

Tiny tots not only get free entry (for under-4s), but also baby car strollers, so they can drive themselves around the museum’s exhibits. There are baby changing facilities throughout the museum.

The Vroom Room indoor soft play area, the Haynes Motorland outdoor playground with themed play towers and ride-on cars, and the Construction Zone with super diggers are fantastic draws for the youngest members of your family. The only problem will be dragging them away so you can get your fill of the fantastic Ferraris!

Older kids will enjoy those play activities, too, but can also get involved in learning trails and quizzes to explore the museum.

It’s a great time for you to share your love for classic cars with your kids, and perhaps nurture the next generation of enthusiasts. How many of today’s models will deserve a place in the museums of the future, and what will visitors think of them?

For teenagers, there’s a ‘Top Trumps trail’ that allows them to explore the museum safely yet independently from their parents. Perhaps they’d like to try go-karting on the test circuit next to the museum – it’s suitable for anyone over 8, more than 1.2m tall, and weighing less than 18 stone.

And finally, kids need fuel as much as cars do, so take a pit-stop at Café 750 for some fresh, locally sourced and produced fare for all your family. Delicious!

Practical information

You’ll find Haynes Motor Museum at Sparkford, near Yeovil in Somerset, just off the A303.

It’s well located for transport connections, and could make a great break if you’re travelling down into the West Country: it’s about half-an-hour’s drive from junction 25 of the M5, though possibly longer if you’re driving in your vintage vehicle. Follow the brown tourist signs from all major roads nearby.

Castle Cary train station is just a five-mile taxi ride away, while there are regular buses from Castle Cary or Yeovil to Sparkford village.

The museum is usually open seven days a week from 10am, closing at 5.30pm in the summer months and 4.30pm over winter. It’s shut for a few days around Christmas and the New Year.

Standard admission costs £15.50 for adults and £9.50 for those aged between five and 15. Discounts are available for families, groups, disabled people, senior citizens, students and members of the armed forces.

Access and facilities for disabled people are excellent, and you can book wheelchairs or mobility scooters. Guide and assistance dogs are welcome.

Pet dogs are not allowed in the museum, but there is a dog walking area by the car park.

Of course, there’s ample car parking. Remember: vehicles can easily get damaged in car parks, so make sure yours is covered with classic car cover.

While sadly none of the cars on display is for sale, there is a shop where you can buy toys, memorabilia and scale models – the closest that most of us will ever come to owning an E-Type!

And of course, you’ll be able to purchase the famed Haynes Manuals themselves. Perhaps it’s time to start buying and restoring your own collection? At Lancaster, we’d love to arrange bespoke classic car insurance to cover your entire fleet, helping you keep it display-ready for years to come.

 

Get a quote from Lancaster today

The Haynes Motor Museum is an unmissable visitor attraction for classic car enthusiasts. And if it inspires you to dip a toe into the world of classic car restoration and ownership yourself, we’d love to hear from you at Lancaster Insurance.

We’re a specialist team of vintage vehicle lovers who have been arranging classic car insurance for over 35 years. We work with leading insurers to find you the perfect cover to protect your investment.

Benefits can include cover for 90 days of EU travel, historic rallies, and static shows. We offer discounts for limited mileage, and to members of certain clubs.

We can find a quote for even classic cars that are hard to insure, and offer you a choice of repairer if your cherished vehicle is damaged.

Get a quote from Lancaster Insurance today.

Policy benefits, features and discounts offered may very between insurance schemes or cover selected and are subject to underwriting criteria. Information contained within this article is accurate at the time of publishing but may be subject to change.