Heritage Commercials Magazine - capturing the spirit of vintage days

Oakham Treasures strike silver at tourism awards

Boasting one of the largest collections of memorabilia in the UK, it was created by Keith Sherrell, a fifth generation West Country farmer with an unusual lifelong passion for collecting.

The museum, based in Portbury nr Bristol, is the result of 40 years of searching and collecting – the many thousands of items being displayed in purpose-built, climate-controlled facilities – and is one of the largest collections of vintage farm machinery in the UK.

This award swiftly follows the venue’s recent gold award in the regional South West Excellence Awards. Oakham Treasures is the newest visitor attraction to ever be nominated for a national award.

The museum was visited by an Enjoy England ‘mystery shopper’ before being nominated and was described in the report as an ‘attraction that goes the extra mile. It is quite unique and beautifully presented, with clocks on the wall from the past that tell the right time! Cabinets are stuffed full of materials and kids are well catered for with a quiz sheet and colouring. The attraction is clearly aimed at the nostalgia market and it does this so well. Staff go the extra mile, with great reception staff and a really nice atmosphere’.

The items are so many in number that not only does Keith have no idea how many individual items are on display, but also the museum’s insurance company gave up when they tried to count them! The museum boasts 150 vintage tractors, together with an extensive display of old farm equipment, stationary engines and a US 1920s fire engine and tender pump. Commercials on display include a Leyland Beaver and a Ford 7V.

Oakham Treasures, Portbury, Bristol BS20 7SP. Open Tues-Sat 10am-5pm (last entry 3pm).