On the day Government implements the latest step in the removal of pandemic restrictions, allowing museums to re-open, the Federation of British Historic Vehicle Clubs (FBHVC) has launched its Museum Action Plan, starting with the release of a new directory listing member organisations that are classed as museums.

During the recent lockdown, the Federation unveiled an interactive map of transport museums across the UK and the Federation’s museum members have since been updating it with details of their exciting displays and activities.

The aim being to give the nation’s custodians of Transport Heritage a valuable channel through which they can promote their activities, connect with enthusiasts and clubs plus work together as part of a connected community working towards post-pandemic recovery for all museums.

The directory is being continually updated and if you’re looking for an interesting day out, then just take a look at what the directory of museums has to offer: https://www.fbhvc.co.uk. Recent highlights include:

• Bo’ness Motor Museum – famous film & TV cars, ‘The Spy Who Loved Me’ promotional road going Lotus Esprit S1 and exhibits from Harry Potter, Dr. Who, Only Fools and Horses, Thunderbirds, Star Trek, Land of the Giants, Monsters Inc.
• Bradford Industrial Museum – close to where the Jowett motor company was once located. Jowett’son display include a Javelin, Jupiter, Pick-up, Ice Cream Van, fabric covered Saloon and a Bradford Van. Also see Nelly, the museum’s wool fat powered steam locomotive!
• Buckinghamshire Railway Centre – a heritage railway museum with three railway lines and full of memorabilia. A large, hard standing car park welcomes vehicle clubs on Steaming Sundays.
• Grampian Transport Museum – makes a welcome return to the FBHVC listings and currently features ‘The Guy Martin Collection’ and ‘It’s Electric’ – a display that gives an in-depth look at the past, present and future of electric vehicles.
• The Great British Car Journey – is a brand-new museum and has something completely different: ‘Drive Dad’s Car’ gives you the opportunity to get behind the wheel of over 30 of the most popular cars ever made in Britain. Choose anything from an Austin Seven to a Rolls Royce Silver Spirit.
• Oxford Bus Museum Trust – tells the story of 130 years of transport in and around Oxford plus the Morris Motors and Historic Cycle collections. Awarded The Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service,making them the first road transport museum to receive the accolade.
• Rootes Archive Centre Trust – a great example of the growing number of marque specific collections. The archive of the Rootes Group was saved from a warehouse full of old documents and engineering drawings, now preserved for all to peruse.
• The David Brown Tractor Club Museum – a new addition and the Federation’s first Tractor museum. Only open on five occasions during the year, it is still well worth the wait for a visit.
• Transport Museum Wythall – offers one of the most significant collections of preserved public service vehicles in the country and the finest collection of restored battery electric vehicles in the world. Their bus fleet operates free rides out into the countryside on open days.

The FBHVC also works in partnership with the National Association of Road Transport Museums (NARTM) and their details; accessible via https://www.fbhvc.co.uk/museums, lists many other bus museums.

Also consider larger museums like the British Motor Museum, Brooklands Museum, Haynes International Motor Museum, National Motorcycle Museum, and National Motor Museum who offer spectacular collections, meets, events, and other activities.

Most recently, the Haynes International Motor Museum have announced three exhibitions opening today; the Williams F1 exhibition, ‘John Haynes OBE – The Man, The Manuals and The Museum’ exhibition, and ‘The Red Room’ exhibition.

So, help us to support our nation’s museums as we head out of pandemic restrictions and into a new era of celebrating, experiencing, and enjoying the UK’s transport heritage. Visit: https://www.fbhvc.co.uk