The British Commercial Vehicle Museum

What it’s like

Climb into real lorry cabs and grip the wheel of vehicles that used to rule the roads, all under one roof near the M6.

This is a museum built around the vehicles that actually did the work: lorries, buses and trucks you can climb up into rather than just look at through glass. Kids get to sit in a real truck driver's seat, hands on the wheel, and there's a lorry driving experience plus interactive challenges dotted round the hands-on displays. Younger visitors have their own angle too, with Tiger Cub Pack activities aimed squarely at them.

It's indoors, so a wet Tuesday in half term is sorted without anyone needing a coat. You're looking at £6 for a child and £12 for an adult, or £28 for a family of two adults and three kids, which is fair enough for a full day of climbing about in cabs. Doors open at 10am Wednesday to Sunday, last entry is 3.45pm, and you don't need to book ahead, so it's the sort of place you can decide on that morning.

The Heritage Café holds a 5-star hygiene rating and does properly prepared food rather than reheated basics, worth knowing if you're planning to make a full afternoon of it. Parking's free with 40 spaces on site, it's three minutes off M6 Junction 28, and wheelchair or mobility scooter access runs right through the building including the toilets. One nice touch: add Gift Aid to your ticket and it upgrades to a 12-month pass at no extra cost, handy if the kids end up wanting to go back and drive that lorry again.

Watch the calendar if you're going over Christmas, as it shuts from 21 December to 3 January. There's also a one-off closure on 16 September for show set-up, tied to the Petals & Pistons event which has its own separate ticket price.

Facilities

Need to know

Last entry

3:45pm

Parking

Free on site, 40 spaces available

Food

Leyland Heritage Café with good quality prepared food, holds 5-star hygiene award

Wheelchairs

Easy access to all parts including special toilet facilities for wheelchairs and mobility scooters

Dogs

Assistance dogs only

Getting there by bus or train

Just 3 minutes from M6 Junction 28, brown tourist signposts provide directions

Worth knowing

Gift Aid upgrades day ticket to 12-month annual pass at no extra cost for unlimited return visits

• Gift Aid your ticket and it becomes a 12-month pass for free repeat visits
• Last entry is 3.45pm even though the museum stays open until 4.30pm
• Closed 21 December to 3 January over the Christmas break
• The 16 September closure is for Petals & Pistons show set-up, a separately ticketed event

Plan your visit

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