STAFF at the Lakeland Motor Museum in Backbarrow are celebrating after the attraction was named Britain’s best classic car destination.

Readers of the country’s biggest-selling classic car magazine, Practical Classics, originally nominated the popular attraction as one of their 30 favourite places to take classic cars earlier this year.

A public vote then confirmed the top ten, with the team from Practical Classics making an epic 2,000-mile road trip around Britain earlier this month to visit each location and decide the ultimate winner.

It is a double celebration for the Lakeland Motor Museum, which is marking its 40th anniversary this year. In the last four decades, the attraction has welcomed 1.5 million visitors and is now one of the north’s leading heritage attractions, with a collection of 30,000 exhibits, including well over 150 classic cars and motorbikes.

Les Micklethwaite, chairman of the Lakeland Motor Museum, said: “This is a fantastic accolade and is a tribute to the hard work and dedication of a team who are committed to telling the story of a diverse motoring heritage in an interactive and accessible way.

"The museum has beaten a variety of other iconic classic car destinations and it is particularly fitting to receive this honour in our ruby anniversary year.”

Danny Hopkins, Practical Classics editor, said: “The Lakeland Motor Museum was voted the best by everyone within our team and sponsors, beating some top-class competition. The thing that really struck me during our recent visit was not just the rich motoring heritage on display, but also the friendly, informal atmosphere in this special riverside location. The enthusiasm and warm welcome from both visitors and staff has made the museum our ultimate winner!”

“It’s also surrounded by beautiful countryside, meaning the drive to the museum is part of the fun and to top it all, the museum is next-door to the most wonderful café – the best we experienced on our tour.”