Bourton-on-the-Water Cotswold Motoring Museum and Toy Collection

I have had the opportunity to visit the Cotswold Motoring Musuem twice recently. The first was without children, but the second included 3 boys aged between 2 and 6, and a baby girl (who slept through it).

The first part of the museum is a collection of vintage British cars. It includes some of the earliest MG cars and the for-runner of the Jaguar cars. The cars do explain much of the history of the British motor industry which would be very interesting for enthusiasts, but was covered by "Do Not Touch" signs on all the exhibits. Obviously this is to protect the exhibits, but was frustrating for the children.

There is a hands on section for children, but this was a very small part set aside in a trailer outside of the main museum. The trailer did surprise me a little as it was quite popular with the children. It's still not a real solution as it is outside and therefore not very good in bad weather, but there is a little more behind the surface. The youngest boy just wanted to play with the model cars that had been left out, but the older two created a brass rubbing, and matched the vehicles with the labels. There was a sign that the extension currently being built will include more childrens activities, so that's worth looking forward to (I think it will be open next year 2006).

The children liked the toy section, in that they were delighted in spotting as many Brums as they could find, but the only thing they were allowed to touch was the ride-on brum. Again this would have been improved with more interactive exhibits for the children.

There was enough to keep both adults and children entertained for a few hours, and it was quite reasonably priced. There is certainly a lot of potential and I look forward to seeing how it improves in the future.