It wasn’t so very long ago that I took a once-in-a-lifetime trip to the Ducati Museum in Bologna, Italy. But this summer, I’ve taken more of a grass roots approach and have been looking closer to home.
In true no-nonsense motorcycle fashion, the London Motorcycle Museum is a down to earth, no glitz, no glamour kind of place. In fact, it’s housed in an old barn/shed and gives the place a kind of hidden-batcave kind of vibe. From the outside you’d never imagine that this tatty little place was home to such a priceless collection of classic motorcycles. What’s even stranger is that it’s only 4 miles away from the world-famous Ace Cafe, you’d think it’d be inundated with motorcycle fanatics.
The staff at the London Motorcycle Museum are all volunteers and are happy to show you around and talk about the bikes that are on show, they’ll also be happy to share their riding stories if you’re lucky!
Their self proclaimed mission is to:
“To provide a welcoming ‘living’ community resource and archive which communicates and displays the wealth and enjoyment of British motorcycling history and tradition.
To support local, national and international community events in furtherance of the above; To provide learning opportunities, (linked to the national curriculum for school use), in the technology, history and traditions of motorcycling; To have fun and spread the word!”
The emphasis is certainly on British motorcycle heritage here and there are more classic Triumphs on show than you can rev your engine at. Saying that, there are also plenty of other “non-British” bikes to gawk at and their display of some 150 bikes is constantly growing and changing.
Sample selection of bikes on show at the London Motorcycle Museum
- 1930s Coventry Eagle 1000cc Flying 8
- 1911 Rudge TT
- Triumph P1 prototype Trident owned by the Trident & Rocket 3 Owners Club
- 1959 Norton Dommie 99
- Velocette Venom
- 1975 Triumph Tiger 100 Grand Prix
- 1966 BSA Lightning
In a Nut Shell
The London Motorcycle Museum is a must for anyone with an interest in classic motorcycles and British motorcycle heritage. It’s dirt cheap and, as London’s only motorcycle museum, you’ll not find a better way to indulge in your passion. You can eve stop by at the Ace Cafe for lunch on your way home!
How to Get There
Address: London Motorcycle Museum, 29 Oldfield Lane South, Ravenor Farm, Greenford, London UB6 9LB
Tel: 0208 575 6644
Nearest Tube: Greenford Underground/Railway Station (1.5Km)
Cost: Adults £3.00; OAP’s £1.50; Children (5 to 14yrs) .50p; Under 5yrs Free. Opening Opening Times: Saturday and Sunday and Bank Holidays 10am to 4.30pm.
Where to Stay: If you are coming to the area especially to see the museum, I’d advise you to avoid the city centre hotels in London and stick the cheaper alternative in and around south west London.
