InfoBritain

 

Beaulieu National Motor Museum, Hampshire

This image is copyright free

The National Motor Museum in the New Forest has a collection of over 250 vehicles relating mainly to both the British and international history of motoring. There is also a collection of over 40,000 objects, over a million photographic images, as well as an extensive reference library containing written, film and video records. The Museums, Libraries and Archives Council has designated the Beaulieu collection as one of national and international importance.

Beaulieu is, of course interesting for motoring enthusiasts. But the collection also has a wider social interest. The car, taking over from railways, provided a revolutionary freedom for people to travel. Until World War Two, travel, tourism and holidays were generally based on a communal experience. People travelled together by train, and the places they travelled to tended to confirm this communal experience. The huge popularity of holiday camps characterised both travel and holidays in the early and mid twentieth century. But then following World War Two, British culture began to become more individualised. This happened in large scale ways - Wales and Scotland wanted their own parliaments - and on a smaller scale, in the way people took more and more to their own cars, and took independent rather than communal holidays. Eventually digital technology allowed people to individualise the culture they experienced. The car characterises this individuality, as does the caravan, which is also commemorated at Beaulieu. Now each family could take their own little home with them on their travels. Beaulieu is a museum of motoring, and a way of seeing through to wider social changes, even in looking at little things like Caravan Club pennants. Interestingly the Beaulieu collection includes cars important in a cultural sense, cars such as Del Boy's Reliant Regal. This was the little three wheeler van, from television's Only Fools And Horses, in which Trotter's Independent Traders tried to cash in on their little bit of Britain's new found individual spirit.

In addition to the car and archival collections, there is a recreation of the 1930s garage, in which every single item is a genuine article from that era, a "time travel" ride through motoring history, and a changing calender of special events and exhibitions.

The National Motor Museum is part of a wider tourist complex built around Beaulieu Abbey, which includes the abbey itself, World of Top Gear, the James Bond Experience, and the Secret Army Exhibition. The Brabazon restaurant provides a comprehensive food and drink service.

 

 

Address: Beaulieu Enterprises Ltd, John Montagu Building, Beaulieu, Brockenhurst, Hampshire, SO42 7ZN

Directions: Come off the M27 at junction 2, and follow brown signs to Beaulieu. Click here for an interactive map centred on Beaulieu National Motor Museum.

Opening Times: Open daily, except for Christmas Day.

1st October to 1st June, 10am - 5pm

2nd June - 23rd September, 10am - 6pm

Access: The Motor Museum is arranged over three floors, with full level access via lifts and ramps. Most paths around the site are flat and tarmaced. There are induction loops at reception points, and visual guides for first floor exhibits. Adapted toilets and motorised wheelchairs are provided.

Contact:

telephone: 01590 612345

fax: 01590 612624

web site: http://www.beaulieu.co.uk/beaulieu/index

 Share