The scope of vehicles in the museum is truly eclectic, ranging from veteran cars from the turn of the 20th
Century, like an 1898 Constatt Daimler and a 1907 Itala, through every era to the present day, with a 2012
Chevrolet Aveo rubbing shoulders with a 1986 Ford Sierra RS Cosworth. The vehicles also cover virtually
aspect of motoring, from humble sixties family saloons like the Austin 7 Mini, Ford Cortina and Hillman Imp
through to pre and post war Rolls Royces, commercial vehicles, motorcycles and scooters, to F1 cars and
World Speed Record holders, like Henry Segrave’s Golden Arrow, and Donald Campbell’s Bluebird. There are
also the odd and quirky exhibits like the 1926 Eccles caravan, the mini “Royal Caravan”, presented to Prince
Charles and Princess Anne when they were children in the mid fifties, by the Caravan Club of Great Britain.
Even more unusual are the 1924 Daimler “Bottle Lorry” and the sixties Mini based “Outspan Orange”
promotional vehicles. In the centre of the museum there is Jack’s Garage, a recreation of a thirties garage,
utilising all original period artefacts – a real trip back in time. Nearby there is a beautifully presented facsimile
of a high street with shop fronts of a now long gone era, plus other long lost vehicles from the British streets,
the mobile grocer’s van, United Dairies milk float and delivery bicycle. Every time you turn a corner there is
something that catches your interest, or sparks pangs of nostalgia.
Apart from the permanent exhibits, there are frequently themed exhibitions, with two currently running. One of
these features the various crazy car concoctions from the ever popular TV series Top Gear, in the
“Enormodrome”, like the Fiat Panda Limousine, Relaint Robin Space Shuttle and the Snowbine! There is also
a video show running through the day showing clips from the series and behind the scenes footage. With the
50th anniversary of the James Bond films in 2012, an exhibition “Bond in Motion” has been held to
commemorate this occasion, featuring many of the vehicles and special effect props used in the films over the
years. These include the Aston Martin DB5, which made a return to Bond films in the 1995 film “Golden Eye”,
and appeared for the fifth time in the latest record breaking blockbuster “Skyfall”. There is also one of seven
Aston Martin DBS models used in “Quantum of Solace”, complete with bullet hole riddled windscreen an torn
out left side. It is not only the cars that are on display, there is also the model of the Skyfleet S570 airliner
from “Casino Royale”, the Bath-O-Sub from “Diamonds Are Forever”, the Acrostar jet from “Octopussy”, and
many more iconic Bond items. This exhibition was supposed to run through to the end of 2012, but has
proved to such an enormous success, that it has been extended through to February 2014. A smaller feature
display is one of “Screen Cars”, which includes the renowned Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, Harry Potter’s flying
Ford Anglia and the “Back to the Future” De Lorean.
The museum is situated in the heart of the New Forest in Hampshire in the grounds of the 7000 acre Beaulieu
Estate, which also includes the Montagu family home, Palace House, and its expansive gardens, together
with Beaulieu Abbey, entrance to all being include in the overall admission fee. The scope of the attractions
on offer really make it a truly varied and interesting family day out, and with the choice of walking, taking the
Monorail, which actually runs at high level through the museum, or replica 1912 London bus as transport
around the estate, it is easy to get between the various points of interest. If one feels the need for inner
refreshment, then there is the 400 seat Brabazon Restaurant close to the main entrance, which serves
everything from home made light snacks and pastries to a full roast lunch. If you are planning to visit all the
attractions, then a day might not quite be enough to fully appreciate everything on offer. However, all is not
lost, as if you return within 6 days you can re-enter free of charge on your original ticket purchase, so long as
you advise reception and get verification before you leave on your original visit.
Opening Times as of January 2013
01 October to 01 June, 10.00 – 17.00
02 June to 30 September, 10.00 – 18.00
Closed Christmas Day
Admission Fees as of January 2013
Adults ... £20.00
Senior (60+) ... £18.00
Youth (13 – 17 Inc’) ... £12.00
Child (5 – 12 Inc’) ... £9.95
Family ... £52.50*
Children under 5 years of age Free
*A family ticket is valid for 2 adults and up to 3 children/youths, or 1 adult and up to four children/youths.
N.B. There is a discount for advance booking on line www.beaulieu.co.uk
There are special rates for disabled people and their carers.
Enquiries for group bookings and specific requests for the group should be directed to the enquiry form on the
website as given above.
Keith Bluemel
01/2013
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