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

The London Film Museum is now the venue for the Bond in Motion Collection, including the famous Lotus Esprit (as a submarine!). This is a chance for movie (and car) fans young and old to see some of the most iconic film vehicles of all time.

Wide-ranging displays of aircraft, aviation archaeology and more from World War I to the Falklands and Iraq wars.

Step back in time in and uncover a way of life from 100 years ago. Discover cottages, farms, schools and shops as you wander through the beautiful parkland of the Folk Museum chatting to costumed visitor guides demonstrating traditional crafts.

Come on board. Share the secret of living under the sea

Visit HMS Alliance, newly restored after a £7m refit and ready for patrol! Assault all of your sense by walking on board HMS Alliance, the only remaining WW2 era British ocean-going submarine.

Penydarren was the site where the World's first Steam Engine ran on rails. Designed by Richard Trevithick, in 1804 his steam locomotive hauled a train along the tramway of the Penydarren Ironworks in Merthyr Tydfil.

Opening in 1898, the Lynton & Barnstaple Railway in North Devon was considered one of the world's most famous and picturesque narrow-gauge railways. Despite its attraction, it closed in September 1935 because of declining passenger numbers.

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

It’s a day out for the whole family with model/miniature railways and a country park as well as heritage steam and diesel locomotives operating and a host of other attractions. Sometimes you can see special visitors, be it Thomas the Tank Engine, a vintage Steam or historic Diesel Loco.

Welcomes you to journey back to a bygone age and experience the thrill of steam and diesel on their preserved railway.

Peak Rail welcomes you to journey back to a bygone age and experience the thrill of steam and diesel on their preserved railway, operating between Rowsley South and Matlock Platform 2 for a distance of 4 miles and open to the public throughout the year.

A great park in the heart of Matlock with bowling greens, children’s boating lake, interactive play area, miniature railway and a skateboard park. There are also tennis courts and a putting green. Free to visit.

Set by the river in a picturesque wooded valley with the famous beach at ‘Westward Ho!’ just a short coach ride away, a Beam House holiday offers the convenience of the beach with a stunning rural location.  As well as the wet and wild action at the beach there’s loads of great stuff on site and off, including mountain biking on the Tarka Trail and dramatic coastal walks.

Calling all rev heads to burn some rubber at Elk Motorsports! As welcoming to beginners as they are to the experienced, with an all weather floodlit track with a top quality, high grip tarmac surface.

The Matthew of Bristol, a replica of the English ship that explorer John Cabot used to discover North America in 1497.

Learn about how The Matthew after the voyage's sponsor Bristolian Richard Amerike (not Amerigo Vespucci as is widely believed) in 1507.

The Imperial War Museum, London has been newly refurbished and now features a vast array of weapons and vehicles as well as a range of exhibitions, including RAF planes, tanks and amphibious vehicles.

Today’s railway represents 200 years of engineering inspiration, innovation and determination; the work that Network Rail does today is the next chapter in this astounding story. 

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See a bus so old it was pulled along the street by horses. Get behind the driver's seat of our tube train simulator, experience journeys of a bygone era. Your only problem will be trying to fit it all in!

School Trips

Opened in 1865 the Watercress Line connected rural Hampshire to the heart fo London by rail. It got its name from the fresh produce it carried to the city making the movement of fresh produce in bulk a realistic possibility allowing urbanisation and fuelling the Industrial Revolution.

This is the advanced design and engineering facility and home to Land Rover design. It also boasts the UK's largest hybrid engineering team. It is also the Global headquarters of JLR.

Close to Torquay and within easy reach of the M5, Barton Hall offers accommodation in the main house and in en suite chalets. The impressive facilities include an indoor activity zone, heated outdoor swimming pool, lake, classrooms and ICT suites.

Perfect for those interested in locomotives and kids who just want to see something fun and different. Running on coal fired steam and diesel engines, you'll enjoy your ride, taking in all the sights as you head down the tracks.

A museum with over 50 micro cars from the 50s and 60s, plus scooters on display, a row of recreated shops to explore, and loads of memorabilia to look at.

Some of these displays are pretty entertaining, and others are through provoking.

Take a ride on this fun narrow gauge railway that trundles through the heart of Sherwood Forest which runs for one mile through the area's farm land with two crossings a tunnel and a couple of stations cute 5/8ths scale locomotives the kids will love pulling open carriages behind them.

The South Devon Railway is one of Devon’s and the West Country’s best loved tourist attractions and is the longest established steam railway in the south west.

Visit the famous farm for the lambing weekends and have a truly unique experience! Ride the miniature railway and enjoy homemade refreshments!

Amnerfield Railway

The site features a riverside walk and meadows, children's play area, picnic site with barbeques, tearoom, souvenir shop, tourist information and a secluded basic camp site. The signal box houses changing exhibitions from local artists and crafts people.

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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.