Coventry Transport Museum

Excellent history of manufacturing in Cov. Great bike & auto historical models.
Enjoyable walk and a coffee after in the museum shoppe

It is a very interesting place to visit.
Lots of things to see.
Hope to be able to go in there again in the New Year.

Excellent transport museum in the city centre of Coventry, focused mainly on automobiles (90%, the rest concerns bicycles and miscellaneous vehicles, including some futuristic ones). Lovers of vintage cars will find hours of enjoyment here, and you'll get to see many brands that you might never have heard of, even if you're from the UK. The vehicles are all in pristine condition, with information boards on each individual model. The exhibit of bicycles from the 19th to the mid 20th century is also impressive, and the presentation impeccable throughout. The entry price of UKP 14 for an adult ticket may seem steep, particularly if you're not a citizen of Coventry, and thus unlikely to return within a given year. But trust me, it's totally worth it, as the Coventry Transport Museum is surely one of the finest attractions in town.

The one time I went to visit this museum was on an evening after an interview at Coventry University. Unfortunately the interview finished at the museums closing time so I didnt get to go in. By the looks of it though it is a fabulous museum, I have uploaded a few photos of the outside of the building. The actual builging looks fantastic and the LEDs in the floor are mesmirising.
It is located in the center of the city so convenient to visit for all.

I'd been looking forward to touring this museum as I have several memories of it from my childhood. (And my dad made many of the picture frames that used to hang there, too.) It's in a spanky new building now, so I was expecting great things.

It turned out to be a very average (and sometimes shoddy) experience for our group. Granted, we're not motor enthusiasts but neither are we uninterested. There's plenty in the museum to be excited about -- the Thrust 2 and Thrust SSC land speed record breaking cars are here, after all -- and some of the presentations are quite inventive and interesting.

But there's a real lack of storytelling in the museum. Much of the artifacts are just "out there", without much context or back-story to support their supposed significance.

Also disappointing was the number of non-working displays around the museum. I think we saw four or five blank screens in various parts of the place. In addition, the audio-visual for the Thrust exhibit was pretty much a din underneath the noise of the Thrust ride that backs up to it.

The museum is free to enter, and there's a LOT to be said for that. The collection of transportation is really super -- including the open-top double-decker bus that carried Coventry City FC through the city after their 1987 FA Cup win (thank you, Gary Mabbutt's knee!), and many more besides. I just wish they'd curate the collection with a little more care, to draw visitors in to the story of British transportation and, in particular, Coventry's eminent role in that industry.

The museum has been there for years but seems now a lot more visible since the redevelopment of the millenium place-this fancy modern square with intersecting arches that you ca see in the intro to the news on television.
Access is very good, althoug if you are not familiar with the Coventry ringroad you might find it a bit tight.
There is a lot of parking space available on the other side of the road beyond the coach station Pay and display).
The entrance to the museum is free.
The exhibits are fantastic, you will see there many now models from manufacturers that have long disappeared as well as futuristic designs. My favourites have to be the old Alvis cars (Alvis was a Coventry based car manufacturer, who has heard of them these days?), but my children by far prefered Thrust. Go figure

After being redevolped a few years ago, the Museum is a very popular place to visit.


First of all it is a very interesting place to go and has some of the greatest transport machines you will see.


Its really something that you will remember and a nice free visit so you will be missing out if you dont go.


Car from Back to the future is there too.

The Coventry Transport Museum is a great place to visit a. if you do not have a large amount of money and like transport related subjects and b if you have children.


Its free to get in, and is a really good day out for the kids.


I have taken my son and daughter there approx 6 times as is not far from where we live.


They have some great exhibitions especially the Thrust exhibition, its a vehicle that broke a land speed record, i think in the late 90'sim not sure but its brilliant for the kids, you sit in the auditorium and there are speakers that tell you the whole story of what happened, and some video footage alsoits very dark and then the thrust car appears on the stage.. its so funny seeing the kids gasp when it happens.


The blitz exhibition is great too, although i would warn any people that have small children it can be a little scary, my daughter is three and she cried a bit as it is very dark and you can hear the sirens, she also cried because my little boy who is six tried to comfort het by telling her that grandad had his leg blown off in the blitz!!!!!!! (not actually what happened to my grandads leg.but he likes this version of the storybless him!!!)


They have loads more aswell.there is a model collection which if my little boy had his way he would love to play with.


They have lots of bikes and motorcycles, incuding penny farthings.. they have buses.old 50's/60's/70's cars that are really cool as it made me and my hubby think back to our grandparents and parents cars.


They are open everyday except christmas eve and christmas day and boxing day and new years day. 10-5.


They have a really nice gift shop, which sells everything from pencils and nik nacks to some gorgeous model cars and buses.


They have a nice cafe with a selection of light snacks and refreshments.... although we tend to take a picnic and go to the park afterwards.


Its a great day and in this day in age with the credit crunch, its nice to take the kids out without it costing any money and have some quality time with them while expanding their minds also.


Give it a go, its really nice even if you have no kids to be honest, me and my husband enjoy it thoroughly.

Brilliant. Firstly, it's free. I have been here approximately 5 times and never get tired of it. I'm a big petrol head, but even if you are not a fan of cars or bikes, you can still enjoy a couple of hours here.


Coventry was the centre of the UK transport industry, and the museum showcases some of our finest vehicles dating back over a century.


There are films to watch about the land speed record breaking vehicles and a chance to ride in the simulator, which costs £1 per person. Be warned though, this is not suitable for small children, although my 5 year old nephew loved it.


There are always other exhibitions on there too, some you have to pay for such as the recent Dr Who exhibition. I am not sure how much these things cost, as I have not been to any of the paid exhibits.


My favourite part is the Blitz "set", with sights and smells of the war, and you can wander around Coventry shops and streets as it was a few hundred years ago.


There are lots of seasonal events for all the family too. At Halloween there was a spooky Coventry tour for the children and at Christmas there was a Victorian Christmas where you got to meet Santa for free. Much quieter and a nicer venue than seeing him in the shopping centre.


They also have a really good gift shop, with an excellent range of retro gifts.


Parking is in one of the normal pay and display city car parks.


A enjoyable day out for all the family and one I shall continue to visit many more times.

This is a wonderful place hidden inside the not so wonderful Coventry town centre. The majestive 'boomerangs' herald the entrance (my son believes that they are from Austrailian giants!) and there is also a funky light thing on the floor outside. Give yourself plenty of time to look around and go back to your childhood with the Back to the future car, police cars from your youth and many many more. There are plenty of interactive sections too and many an hour can be spent here for free! The gift shop is the usual trap but there are some funky items
well worth a visit with or without kids