Donington Grand Prix Collection, Automobile museum in North West Leicestershire, England
The Donington Grand Prix Collection is an automobile museum set within the grounds of Donington Park racing circuit in North West Leicestershire, England. Spread across several buildings and five themed halls, it holds over 130 racing cars alongside helmets, motorbikes, military vehicles, and concept cars.
Donington Park was established in the early 1930s as England's first permanent racing circuit and hosted several Grand Prix events before the Second World War. Tom Wheatcroft, a passionate collector, bought the site after the war and opened the museum in 1973 to share his growing collection of racing vehicles.
Near the entrance, statues and memorials honor drivers like Juan Manuel Fangio and Ayrton Senna, whose presence still shapes how visitors experience the place. Senna was the last driver to win a Grand Prix at Donington Park, and his 1993 car, decorated with the Brazilian flag, is one of the most visited displays inside.
The museum is open every day and sits close to junction 24 of the M1 motorway, making it easy to reach by car, with free parking on site. Visitors arriving without a car can use the East Midlands Parkway train station, which is nearby, and the East Midlands Airport is also within a short distance.
The museum holds the only complete group of Vanwall racing cars in existence, a detail that even many motorsport enthusiasts are unaware of. One of the cars on display was driven by Giovanna Amati, the last woman to compete in Formula One, in 1992.
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