Great British Car Journey will open in summer 2021. 

The announcement follows the signing of a lease on the former Wire Works site in Ambergate, Derbyshire. 

The site, which is located just off the A6 in between Derby and Matlock, is currently undergoing an extensive refurbishment ahead of Great British Car Journey opening.

Originally due to open in 2020, plans for the attraction had to be shelved following serious health issues with two of its founders. Now back to full health, Great British Car Journey is out of the garage and back on the road and is all set to open next year with even more cars joining the original line up. 

Located beside the River Derwent and within the Derwent Valley Mills World Heritage Site, more than 130 classic British cars, which were at the forefront of a global transport revolution, will be exhibited at the new family-friendly attraction.

The attraction is the brainchild of former Auto Windscreens and Blyton Park circuit owner Richard Usher. He explained: “Signing the lease is a real line in the sand and puts us on track for opening in 2021. The enforced break, through both ill health and the pandemic, means Great British Car Journey is coming back stronger, having given us the opportunity to acquire even more fantastic British made and designed classic cars.”

Charting the history of a story that has never been told, the covered exhibition features vehicles from a bygone age, including Austin Sevens and Morris Minors as well as the more modern classics including the original Mini, Ford Cortina and Vauxhall Cavalier.

Alongside the exhibition, gift shop and café the Great British Car Journey will take visitors through the golden years of British car design and manufacturing from the 1930s – 1990s using an audio-visual device.

The Great British Car Journey will also boast a driving route on the four-acre site for the unique Drive Dad’s Car experience. 

Drive Dad’s Car will allow visitors to take for a test drive with an instructor in a selection of over 30 iconic British cars from the Austin Seven to a Rolls Royce Silver Spirit. That old car smell and an analogue driving experience virtually guarantees a wave of nostalgia for times gone by.

Richard added: The team and I are tremendously excited about the launch of Great British Car Journey and the Drive Dad’s Car experience in 2021. It will be a fabulous addition to the many attractions in and around the Peak District and Derbyshire.”

Follow us on social media to keep up-to-date with developments at the site and for news of the opening date.