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Beaulieu - National Motor Museum

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steveHealey3000

steveHealey3000

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I have a brief trip to the UK next week, and will be in South England for at least a couple of days (near Bournemouth). I was looking for car-related activities and read about the Beaulieu National Motor Museum (in the New Forest area). It looks interesting, but I was wondering if any of the Forum denizens can recommend it (or not)?
 
Certainly worth a visit, for a car enthusiast. Not far from Bournemouth either.
 
I visited it a few years ago and had mixed reactions. A lot depends on your specific interests. Their collection is spectacular but many of the cars I was most interested in (e.g. early 50's GP cars) were packed so closely together they were hard to see & photograph. On the other hand, their display of LSR cars was unbeatable. (See https://www.beaulieu.co.uk/beaulieu/lotstosee-national-motor-museum )

England is loaded with great museums and I guess I expected a bit more from the "National Motor Museum" but overall it was worth the trek. (We drove over from Chichester, which was much further then you'll need to go.) Just driving through the New Forest was an experience. Watch out for the horses!
 
Not sure if you've left for the UK or not, but I recommend the museum, especially if you're in the area. I also wholeheartedly recommend the Bovington Tank Museum. It's one of the largest collection of armored vehicles in the world, and the collection is quite impressive. Here's their website: www.tankmuseum.org. If memory serves, they've got a Tiger I that they fully restored to running order.

Have a great trip.
 
MadRiver said:
Not sure if you've left for the UK or not, but I recommend the museum, especially if you're in the area. I also wholeheartedly recommend the Bovington Tank Museum. It's one of the largest collection of armored vehicles in the world, and the collection is quite impressive. Here's their website: www.tankmuseum.org. If memory serves, they've got a Tiger I that they fully restored to running order.

Have a great trip.
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Thanks for the info. The Tank museum looks great, and it's fairly close to Corfe Castle where we will initially be staying. Now I just have to push a little to find out my wife's tolerance level for vehicle-related activities :driving:
 
steveHealey3000 said:
Now I just have to push a little to find out my wife's tolerance level for vehicle-related activities :driving:
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There is more than just cars at Beaulieu. There is also the house, abbey & grounds etc...
 
Was there week-end before last. As the post above states, there is loads to see in the area. There is also a classic vehicle dealer in the village. If you require lodging, please let me know an I will reccomend a B&B for you.
 
We had a great day at Beaulieu, especially after the locals got over laughing at my pronunciation of it. :blush: I tried a French interpretation (Bo-loo'), only to find that the correct version was (byu'-lee). Oh well, not the only mis-guess of the week.

I really enjoyed the museum - there were some amazing examples of the earliest cars made, as well as a good representative set through the ages. Just outside the museum, the James Bond exhibit and the Top Gear experience were cool (although I was quite disappointed that the James Bond exhibit did not include a classic Aston Martin from the early films).

For equal time, we also enjoyed touring the Abbey and the great house.
 
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