A few weeks ago my wife said we were going out for the afternoon, I was to bring my camera, I wouldn’t need walking shoes and I’d find out where we were going when we got there. It was the school holidays and on a day off from work I was ordered to do something with the family.

We ended up at the Stondon Transport Museum in Bedfordshire. I’ve lived a few miles away (North Herts) for about 25 years & I never knew this place existed. It’s a fantastic little museum which is absolutely jam packed with cars, all under cover. As well as cars it has several other types of vehicle including motor cycles, HGVs a couple of fire engines & some military vehicles. It even has a monster from the original Dr Who in the 60s. The Museum boasts over 400 exhibits which includes a full-size replica of Captain Cooks HMS Endeavour, which has taken over 12 years to build.

Although it was a school holiday, there were few visitors. I counted less than a dozen other people that we saw in the couple of hours we were there. As we paid the chap taking the money, who I assumed was the owner saw the canon hanging off my shoulder & said "Take as many photos as you want." which is always nice to hear! So I did.

The vehicles are packed fairly tightly together so you’re not going to get any shots of individual vehicles without others encroaching into the shot. I tended to home in on specific detail for most of the photos I took. The other thing to be aware of is that the roof is opaque perspex but does have some multi-coloured panels which can create havoc with white balance., but it also gives scope for some nice abstracts.

We had our own personal guided tour of the ship, (which is outside) by the museum owner and his young grandson who was dressed as a cabin boy. A very interesting exhibit but not yet entirely fitted out inside – it’s a work in progress.

My favourite motorcycle, the Honda Goldwing is represented in the collection but unfortunately I couldn’t get up close to it as it was across one of the showrooms to which we didn’t have access.

The Museum sells classic vehicles as well as hires them out for the day. This sounds like an ideal opportunity to take a classic out for the afternoon for a photoshoot in a suitable picturesque location. I’ll definitely be paying another visit. Next time I’ll probably take the tripod too.

The museum is open 7 days a week all year – except Christmas week – from 10.00am until 5.00pm & costs £6 for adults, £3 for kids or £16 for a family.