12/08/2025
We were lucky enough to work with Patrick on the County Classics Motor Museum website and to see first-hand the incredible hard work and attention to detail he poured into the museum. His passion was evident in every corner, and it was a privilege to be part of that journey.
We are deeply saddened to hear of his passing, and our thoughts are with Patrick’s family, friends, and everyone involved with the museum during this difficult time.
Patrick Hawkins, creator of the County Classics Motor Museum in Taunton and one of the nicest, kindest and most generous souls you could hope to meet, passed away suddenly on Wednesday afternoon, August 6th.
Since Richard Hammond opened the Museum nearly two years ago, Pat has personally greeted many visitors from around the world and welcomed thousands to its excellent first floor cafe. His attention to detail and the spotless cleanliness of every part of the Museum led to a very recent award of which he was immensely proud. Trip Advisor presented the Museum with a certificate showing it was rated in the Top 10% of all Visitor Attractions in the WORLD. Pat's car obsession and business sense began young, by necessity, he went on to build a successful series of businesses after buying, improving and selling his first car at the age of 11. Pat quietly overcame many battles in his life and when the Musgrove Hospital flew a surgeon from the the USA to carry out a unique and life saving operation on his heart, he wanted to give something back to the town of Taunton and the county of Somerset that he loved so much. The County Classic Motor Museum, achieved against all odds through the materials crisis and rising costs of Covid, would be his legacy.
The Museum is now closed to give staff time to come to terms with the loss of their leader and inspiration-but it will reopen Tuesday Morning, August12'th of August 12th, as would of wished.
