Events

Coventry Transport Museum is preparing to host a major birthday party to celebrate some of its most popular models of cars and cycles reaching major milestones in 2008. ‘Over the Hill…?’ will feature items from the Museum’s collection together with some ‘distinguished guests’, all of which have major birthdays this year.

Coventry Transport Museum, in partnership with the Children and Family Education Service, is providing a unique opportunity for you to experience a history lesson with a difference. Fun With History is a new course for parents and runs on a Monday for five weeks, starting on Monday 21st April at the Museum in Millennium Place.  

The course gives you the chance to find out for yourselves what children are learning at school - come along and try out ancient crafts and discover more about history. From creating Roman mosaic masterpieces and sweet-smelling Tudor pomanders to experiencing bone-rattling bicycles from the Victorian era and taking cover from the Blitz, you’ll have the opportunity to learn in an atmosphere that’s much more relaxed and friendly than the classroom!  

Celebrate this year’s theme of ‘Ideas and Innovation’ with everyone’s favourite inventor at special screenings of ‘Wallace and Gromit’s The Wrong Trousers’.

On 17th and 18th May the Museum will be hosting three screenings a day at 11am, 1 pm and 3pm and there will also be a themed quiz that the family can take part in as they go round the Museum.

There’s lots to do at Coventry Transport Museum, as part of the UK-wide Museums & Galleries Month in May including an action-packed Half Term as everyone gets on their bikes and goes cycle crazy!

Kicking off the week-long celebration of the humble cycle is the Museum’s first ever Festival of Cycling on Sunday 25th May. The Museum’s events continue along the cycle theme and from 25th – 30th May kids can take part in the ‘Bling Your Bike’ competition – decorate your bike in whatever style you want and bring it down to the Museum where it will be photographed and you can leave your bike with the Bling team whilst you visit the Museum. At the end of the week, the bikes will be judged and the owner of the most blinged up bike will receive a prize. Prizes for the competition include tickets to Hatton Country World, cycling accessories donated by Mike Vaughan Cycles of Kenilworth and a £100 voucher to spend at Coventry Cycle Centre. 

There’s also a bike-themed quiz throughout the week and on Tuesday 27th and Thursday 29th, you can take part in bicycle inspired craft activities including the opportunity to make funny noises out of bicycle parts…! (a nominal charge will apply for quiz and craft activities). To round off the week-long celebration members of the Curatorial team will lead two evening cycling heritage tours around the city – places are limited.

The day will be packed with cycle-tastic activities including slow races, where you have to ride as slowly as you can – which is actually more difficult than it sounds! There’s also an opportunity to have a go at unicycling, the chance to try out a penny farthing and a bike-themed quiz.

Kids can take part in the ‘Bling Your Bike’ competition – decorate your bike in whatever style you want and bring it down to the Museum where it will be photographed and you can leave your bike with the Bling team whilst you visit the Museum. At the end of the week, the bikes will be judged and the owner of the most blinged up bike will receive a prize. Prizes for the competition include tickets to Hatton Country World, cycling accessories donated by Mike Vaughan Cycles of Kenilworth and a £100 voucher to spend at Coventry Cycle Centre.  

You can also meet characters in costumes who will tell you all about the correct dress for riding a bike and have your photograph taken on a genuine Victorian cycle (charge applies).  

As part of the Festival, the Museum is delighted to play host to Coventry-born veteran cycling legend Mick Ives. Mick will be speaking about his passion for cycling and telling his incredible story from 5pm on the day - tickets are free of charge but are limited and should be booked in advance by calling 024 7623 4270.

Coventry Transport Museum is proud to host the Annual Rotary Club Exhibition of Design & Technology projects from schools across the City.

This exhibition is open to the public from Tuesday 17th June to Friday 20th June. Please click the link below for information on opening times.

The Awards Ceremony for students, parents and teachers is being held at the Methodist Central Hall from 7pm - 8:45pm on Thursday 19th June 2008.