The National Motorcycle Museum near Birmingham first opened its doors in October 1984 with a collection of more than 350 motorcycles on display. Various events have been held this year to mark its 30th anniversary, and later this month the museum will host a two-day celebration event, “Museum Live”.

Museum Live will launch on Friday 31st October with television commentator and former Grand Prix rider Steve Parrish hosting an evening from his M.A.D. tour. This is a ticketed event for 500 people, with the ticket price including entry to the National Motorcycle Museum collection on the day of the show.

The next day, Saturday 1st November, the museum will hold a free public open day. Parrish will return to host four “Stars on Stage” interviews and live race machine start-ups are also planned. Family-friendly activities taking place throughout the day will include the chance to try a bike, as well as guided tours and book signings.

Over the last 30 years the National Motorcycle Museum has grown into the largest motorcycle museum in the world, with a collection of 950 machines and more than 250,000 visitors each year. The business has also developed into a successful conference centre, offering a choice of 13 purpose-built event spaces ranging in capacity from 20 to 1,000 guests.

This year has been hugely successful for the National Motorcycle Museum, with visitor numbers up 40%.

Screenings of key British races have also been held this year to celebrate the 30th anniversary. And artists, art students and local school children were invited to create a piece of artwork related to motorcycles for a pop-up art gallery called “A Celebration of the Motorcycle”.

The anniversary events will continue through to the end of the year, with 80s-themed parties taking place over the Christmas season.

Image: National Motorcycle Museum