Automotive / Transport

Automotive / Transport

What is it?

The word "Automotive" comes from the Greek and Latin words "autos" and "motivus", meaning "self" and "of motion" respectively - the automotive industry concerns itself with self-powered vehicles. In our definition of Transport we cover all types of transport including horse-drawn, wind-powered, jet-propelled and even wind-up or electric powered.

What does it involve?

Transport can be great to learn about because it involves so many aspects of society - technological advancements, trends in style, financial situations; students can get involved in all this by visiting sites that display examples of vehicles or modes of transport. A tangible example of the point of interest will always capture more attention than book learning as you can get much more physically involved with what is going on. 

Why do it and what are the benefits?

Learning about the history of automotive vehicles and transport gives a great look back through the developments technology went through to reach the current day. History is always great to see through a less traditional lens, and by looking at the manner in which people travelled about their lives in the past can be extremely educational, and can make history seem more real. 

What equipment do we need?

As most trips to a transport venue will mainly be museum based, you shouldn't need to supply any equipment for the trip - but check ahead just in case, as there could be unexpected aspects of the trip to cater for. 

Who is it suitable for?

Students both young and older should enjoy transport-based learning; it can be presented in different ways to engage different age groups, but everyone interacts with automotive transport in some manner within their lives and will therefore have some level of interest!

Costs?

Every venue will have different costs depending on their size and set up, but in general a museum-type visit shouldn't cost too much for general admission, especially with a possible group discount.

Issues/Things to think about? (unsuitable for age groups, medical conditions etc)

If visiting a museum, it's important to make sure there is enough going on to sufficiently capture the attention of the group - be aware of the needs of the group!

How do we include?

A transport/automotion learning experience should be a great event to include everybody in - just make sure to check the specific access setup of the venue beforehand.

Doing it abroad?

Foreign countries will have their own fascinating transport histories - forms of automotive vehicles vary all over the world, so those who are interested in the area will take great enjoyment in learning more about how things developed abroad. 

Main website: 

The National Historic Ships Register is a great starting point for those interested in visiting some of the great ships our nation has produced.

Venues with this Activity

Located on the edge of Pinxton the site comprises a section of the Pinxton Canal and wharf pond.

The Bovey Tracey Heritage Centre is situated in the Old Bovey Station building, which was in use for rail passenger traffic for nearly 100 years.

The Oldest Water Balance Lift Still In Operation

Saltburn's famous Cliff Lift has two cars, each of which is fitted with a water tank beneath, run on parallel tracks. The car at the top of the 71% incline has its tank filled with water until it overbalances the weight of the car 120ft below and proceeds down the incline under its own specific gravity.

This remarkable funicular railway is the oldest and steepest inland electric cliff railway in the country.

For over a century Bridgnorth Cliff Railway has been transporting the people of Bridgnorth up and down the 111 ft sandstone cliffs that separate High Town from Low Town and the River Severn.

Diggerland has many educational benefits. Students are taught to use everyday construction machinery including real diggers and dumpers!

A Revolution in Road Safety

You can't get a driving licence in the UK until you're 17 but now, thanks to Young Driver, if you're 11 or over, you can learn to drive at one of our UK centres.

Rebuilt Victorian steam-powered yacht on Coniston Water

Steam Yacht Gondola is the unrivalled sailing experience of the Lakes.

Enjoy the charm of luxury travel once experienced by wealthy Victorians, riding in style in Gondola’s opulent saloons or relaxing on her open-air decks as she glides across Coniston Water.

When you visit the railway you can enjoy a unique train ride through dramatic limestone scenery, discover fossils and wild flowers, learn about the railway and stare at the vintage rolling stock!

Rare survival of a complete estate, with all major buildings including mansion house, servants' quarters, model farm and walled garden

Journey through the historic estate of Shugborough and experience the nation's best 'upstairs downstairs' experience. 

Tregoyd House is small and friendly, but with loads of space for activities. It’s a beautiful old mansion house (where Lord Hereford once lived) and the unique and private gardens and grounds once attracted wealthy Victorian visitors to sit and picnic by the stream.

Visiting the Station in steam will provide a unique and unforgettable learning environment

Historic Victorian industrial building with many rare original engines and boilers. Children’s trail to follow, plus a Visitor Centre and mini museum to explore. Steaming Days held throughout the year.

Claymills Victorian Pumping Station will transport you and the kids more than 120 years into the past, when steam powered engines were being used in all aspects of Victorian life.

Northamptonshire's premier aviation museum....Museum of the Year & Best Exhibition in the Renaissance Heritage Awards 2007, Highly Commended in the Northants Heritage Awards 2011 & 2012 for Best Special Project....

The Northampton and Lamport Railway is a steam and heritage diesel operated tourist railway located in the Northamptonshire countryside just 5 miles from Northampton, within easy reach of the motorway network.

Diggerland has many educational benefits. Students are taught to use everyday construction machinery including real diggers and dumpers!

The EARM is a living heritage site based at Chappel railway station. We are situated on the edge of breathtaking Constable Country and adjacent to one of the largest railway viaducts in Eastern England.

Lydia Eva is the last steam drifter and the last boat to have been constructed in the ship yard in Kings Lynn. Over 1000 of these fishing vessels worked out of Yarmouth in the 1920s.

On-board displays tell the story of the Lydia Eva and the East Coast herring fishing industry.

Also known as the "Poppy Line", the North Norfolk Line is a preserved steam railway connecting the town of Sheringham to the picturesque Georgian town of Holt.

The North Norfolk Railway offers far more than just a train ride, experience yesterday tomorrow with a day out travelling through some of Norfolk’s stunning coastal countryside.

Museum of local aviation history with much for the interested eye to feast on. Possibly best indulged on the same day as other attractions for a FULL day out.

Phoenix Scalextric Circuit is based near Studley Warwickshire and enjoys a beautiful countryside location. The track is 150 feet long with fully computerised race management and awesome scenic accessories. We offer friendly and competitive Scalextric racing in an enjoyable  atmosphere with experienced personnel to make your event a very special occasion.

Fun and boats galore at the heart of Gloucester's historic docks

Delve into the fascinating world of Gloucester's Victorian docks at this museum and meet the people and wildlife of our wonderful waterways. Discover impressive facts about the ingenious engineering of the waterway system and explore home life aboard a narrow boat. 

Loads to do including milking, lamb feeding, pony grooming, and cart rides. Huge indoor play arena with toy tractor circuit and bouncy castles. Vintage Garage and Welsh Guards Museum. Exciting extras: Junior Driving School and quad bikes. Great Tearooms and picnic areas.

This former ironstone quarry has a wonderful children's play area as well as a network of long and short trails through 83 hectares of mixed woodland. The park is home to the Quarryman's Rest Cafe, Jungle Parc UK and the Irchester Narrow Gauge Railway museum.

Jungle Parc high ropes adventure course

Solihull is the home of Land Rover since production began on the first Land Rover in 1948. The current vehicle line up at Solihull consists of building the Land Rover Defender, Discovery, Range Rover, and Range Rover Sport. The Solihull site was originally built to build aircraft engines in for WWII.

Rheilfford Mynydd Brycheiniog

Travel with smoke and steam in splendid Wales.

The line runs from Pant, near Merthyr Tydfil. Travel in one of our all-weather Observation Carriages, behind a vintage steam locomotive, into the Brecon Beacons National Park to see stunning views of the peaks of the Beacons across the Taf Fechan reservoir.

The Historic Dockyard, Chatham is a fully accredited museum and partner in Renaissance South East, the South East Museum hub.

We collect, preserve, study and exhibit objects and material connected with the history of:

  • The people who worked in, or were associated with, Chatham Dockyard

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Latest News

British schoolgirl assaulted on school trip to Iceland

hotel corridor

A viral video shows a black girl being assaulted by a white woman in a corridor.

Police in Iceland are investigating after a British schoolgirl was slapped and chased by a tour guide in a hotel corridor.

The schoolgirl, 13, who attended Harris Girls’ Academy, was assaulted whilst on a school trip to Iceland to see the Northern Lights. The incident occurred at Hotel Örk, Hveragerdi on 13th October.