National Motor Museum Beaulieu

Come to Beaulieu in the heart of the New Forest and discover the many delights that one of the UK’s leading tourist attractions has to offer. Beaulieu is a guaranteed great family day out, with so many attractions to discover in acres of beautiful grounds and lots for everyone to enjoy, whatever their age.

Visitors have a birds-eye view of the grounds when they ride the high-level, mile long Monorail which even passes through the roof of the Motor Museum. Alternatively, the replica 1912 open-topped London Bus is a fun way to seek out Beaulieu’s sights.

‘World of Top Gear’ featuring actual cars from Jeremy, Richard and James’ most ambitious challenges over the last twelve series, including their amphibious cars and their attempts at creating limos, is now open.

‘Jaguar Jamboree’, a new exhibition in the National Motor Museum, showcases the iconic Jaguar marquee, with a selection of vehicles from its illustrious past. See some of the models that defined Jaguar as a car of style, elegance and sophistication, from one of the earliest examples, the 1941 Austin Seven Swallow to the latest model, the Jaguar XF.

The motor vehicle collection in the National Motor Museum remains one of Beaulieu’s most famous attractions with more than 250 on show from the earliest examples of motoring and family cars of the 30s and 40s through to classic cars of the 70s and 80s and rare motoring oddities such as a giant orange on wheels. In the Motor Sport Gallery, historic racing cars, F1 and rally cars, are dramatically displayed on sweeping steel structures allowing visitors to view the vehicles from completely new angles and perspectives. Taking centre stage in the museum are four of the most famous World Land Speed Record Breakers including Donald Campbell’s ‘Bluebird’.

Star Vehicles currently on show include TV favourites, Del Boy’s Reliant Regal and Mr Bean’s lime green Mini. Possibly the nation’s most famous three-wheel vehicle, the Regal van featured in the BBC sitcom Only Fools and Horses. It was the sole transport for the Trotter family until Del Boy went upmarket and purchased a Capri Ghia.

Jack Tucker’s Garage recreates the sights, sounds and smells of a typical country garage from the 1930s while ‘Wheels’ - a space-age pod ride - is a fascinating voyage through 100 years of motoring and Beaulieu Motor Works recreates the sights, sounds and smells of a typical country garage from the 1930s.

In the popular James Bond Exhibition you will be ‘shaken but not stirred’ by genuine cars from the films. You can see the Aston Martin Volante from ’The Living Daylights’, and the Ford driven by Daniel Craig in his first incarnation as Bond in ‘Casino Royale’ plus the Lotus Submarine car from ‘The Spy Who Loved Me’, twice voted the nation’s favourite on-screen vehicle. A selection of magnificent memorabilia includes Jaw’s shirt from ‘The Spy Who Loved Me’ and Odd Job’s bowler hat as seen in ‘Goldfinger’.

Visitors can see the magnificent rooms and treasures of Palace House - Lord Montagu’s family home since 1538. History comes alive with real Victorian characters, tales from the Butler, Cook and Housemaids give a fascinating insight into the workings of a Victorian household, showing their life ‘Upstairs and Downstairs’.

The Secret Army exhibition tells the story of the Special Operations Executive (SOE) which trained secret agents at the Beaulieu ‘Finishing School’ during WWll. The exhibition introduces visitors to the training schools, instructors, secret agents and unsung heroes of the SOE, their training and secret missions.

The 13th century Beaulieu Abbey features a Film Presentation and an Exhibition of the daily life of its Cistercian Monk founders, leading into the picturesque serenity of the Cloisters and Herb Garden. Upstairs in the Abbey’s Domus, impressive Wall Hangings depict scenes from the history of the Abbey.

Gardens to enjoy include the fragrant Victorian Flower Garden, the informal Wilderness Garden, dating back to the 1770s and the Ornamental Kitchen Garden laid out on the site of the original 1872 Palace House kitchen garden. Visitors can also take a leisurely stroll along the meandering pathways beside Beaulieu River and Monks’ Mill Pond.

Budding drivers can get in the driving seat on Dipstick’s Driving Circuit, with its twists and turns, in fun mini motorised vehicles or test their skill with Remote Controlled Cars. Younger visitors can get physical on the Mini Motor PlayTrail with its Veteran Bus climbing frame, swings and Little Tykes ride-on-cars.