Following the massive success of Museum LIVE over the past three years, Saturday 04/11/17 will see the museum host their 4th annual free open day when everyone will be invited to visit the museum collection free of charge.
There will also be a host of other free attractions including their amazing "stars on stage" feature which is presented in association with wheel builders to the museum, Central Wheel Components Ltd.
Museum Director James Hewing commented: "Utilising our conference venue that adjoins the Museum we are planning another great open day event in some of the most prestigious surroundings you can imagine. After the huge success of our previous Museum Live event in 2016, we have even more attractions planned for the whole family to enjoy."
During the latter part of 2016 the five displays halls of the National Motorcycle Museum where completely reconfigured to enhance the visitor experience and interpretation of the collection. The National Motorcycle Museum houses the largest collection of British motorcycles in the world with over 1000 machines from 170 different manufacturers spanning no less than three centuries. Of the 1000 plus machines in the collection there are around 850 on display at any one time. Having now completed this mammoth “move around” we invite visitors both old and new to come and take a fresh look at our amazing inventory. If you think you know the National Motorcycle Museum, think again!
SO WHAT’S ON DISPLAY AND WHERE?
Museum Foyer.
The Foyer of the museum is free to enter and also contains a large number of machines as well as the museum gift shop and admissions desk. Also contains the following special displays: The museum’s collection of sidecar outfits, Velocette road machines and other temporary displays (see Wallace & Gromit image attached).
HALL 1: 60 Glorious Years.
The idea of museum founder Mr William “Roy” Richards’; Hall 1 showcases the “60 glorious years” of motorcycle manufacturer in this country from 1898 to 1960. With machines of all types and marques from the earliest veterans through to the powerful 650cc “twins” of the “rocker” years, this display hall helps visitors chart the development of the motorcycle. All the bikes are displayed in year order 1898-1960. Also contains the following special displays: Our tribute to Geoff Duke, Vincent road machines, Sunbeam road machines.
HALL 2: Road Motorcycles A, B & C in alphabetical order (not BSA).
Also contains the following special displays: Brough Superior, military machines (Including our special “Troop Aid” feature), photo studio (showcasing a very special or temporary loan machine), prototypes (x22 machines), “working” bikes (Police, Ambulance etc).
HALL 3: Road Motorcycles B (BSA) D,E,F,G,H,I,J,K,L,M,N in alphabetical order (not Norton).
Also contains the following special displays: The museums huge collection of BSA & Matchless machines all displayed in year order.
HALL 4: Road Motorcycles N (Norton), T & R (Royal Enfield) in alphabetical order.
Also contains the following special displays: The museums huge collection of Norton, Triumph & Royal Enfield machines all displayed in year order.
HALL 5: Competition Motorcycles A-Z
The museums huge collection of competition motorcycles, including road race, off road, sprint & dragster machines all displayed in year order. Also contains the following special displays: World Record Breakers (sprint bikes & dragsters), ex-works Norton rotaries (All the ex-works Norton rotary race machines in one place including the famous Steve Hislop 1992 Senior TT winning Norton rotary “The White Charger”).
