Haynes International Motor Museum {day out with kids}

We visit Wiltshire quite a few times a year as my mum lives there. It can be difficult to find time for days out but over the last few years we’ve visited Westbury Manor as well as Bratton Camp and the Westbury White Horse.

Today we visited the Haynes International Motor Museum with the children (aged 5 and 7). It’s based in Sparkford, near Yeovil in Somerset, and we’ve driven past a few times, always meaning to stop. If you’re looking for something to do with children on the Somerset/Wiltshire border then this makes a great day out.

Haynes International Motor Museum

The Haynes International Motor Museum is the UK’s largest collection of the greatest cars from around the world with over 400 amazing cars and bikes from the dawn of motoring in the late 1800s through nostalgic classics of the 1950s and 1960s, glorious Bentleys and Rolls Royces to world renowned super cars like the Jaguar XJ220.

I’m the first to admit I’m not a huge fan of cars but my husband is and I knew the children would love a day out. As we were visiting over the Easter weekend the museum had some special activities for the children to take part in. One was the Spring Bunny Trail around the museum, and the other was an Easter Egg Hunt. Both these activities were free.

The Spring Bunny Trail was a great way to see the museum as fluffy bunnies had been hidden around the place. The children loved spotting them in the cars and there was an easy or hard question to answer, with the answer written on the form. This kept them entertained whilst my husband could see all the cars he wanted. When he had found all the bunnies and answered the questions, there was a bonus question to answer. We handed our forms in on the way out and the children both received a bag of sweets each.

At 11am we gathered in one of the galleries to meet the Easter bunny. The children loved this and all received bags to go and look for little eggs which has been hidden in the outdoor play area. They each found a bag full of eggs and were happy to pose for a photo with the Easter bunny.

We stopped for lunch in the cafe but you can also take your own as there was plenty of space to sit outside. We re-visited the outdoor play area so the children could run around for a bit but they really enjoyed themselves. The 5 year old loves Mini cars so she spent ages in that room. There was a Mini cut in half which she loved looking at. There was also a fab interactive exhibit where you could paint different parts of a mini on a computer screen, this was then projected on to a mini so you could design it however you wanted.

There was a cool vintage car to sit inside and have your photograph taken, there were also brass rubbings of cars throughout which the children enjoyed. I think it’s safe to say there was plenty to keep them busy.

We had a great day out at The Haynes International Motor Museum. Our ticket is valid for a year so we’re definitely hoping to go back again to make use of that. We will probably try and go when they are holding more activities for the children as these seem to be included in the admission price and make for a great value day out.