Are you looking for a day out in the New Forest? Beaulieu National Motor Museum could be the perfect destination for you. My family and I spent the day here recently and we had a great day, even though we’re not big car enthusiasts.
There are over 250 vehicles on display, the World of Top Gear exhibit, Palace House and Gardens, the remains of Beaulieu Abbey and the play park, Little Beaulieu, so there’s plenty to see and do.
In this thorough review, I’ll give you all the info to help you decide whether to visit Beaulieu for your next day out or holiday in Hampshire.
A Brief History of Beaulieu National Motor Museum
Before diving into my experience, here’s a brief history of Beaulieu. In the 1950s, Edward Douglas-Scott Montagu, the 3rd Baron Montagu of Beaulieu, decided to honour his father, a motoring pioneer, by exhibiting five cars and some automobilia in the Palace House.
Over the years, the museum has grown immensely and now houses around 250 vehicles from the late 19th century to the present day. It's interesting to see the evolution of motoring showcased in such an extensive collection of cars, motorcycles, and memorabilia.
When I think about the National Motor Museum Trust, I appreciate how they dedicate themselves to preserving and promoting motoring history. Their world-famous collection attracts car enthusiasts and historians alike, and they continue to contribute to the museum's growth.
2022 marked a significant milestone for the museum as it celebrated its 50th anniversary. In honour of this event, the museum launched an exhibition called "The Story of Motoring in 50 Objects", showcasing an incredible selection of items from their extensive collection.
![Beaulieu Fountain and Palace House](https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/63b4492f718e031ad5f81b45/646f31565ff1d52bdca106c7_IMG_20230507_140117869.webp)
Museum Exhibits and Collections
As you walk around the museum you’ll see lots of different exhibits and collections. I’ll be honest, I’m not the biggest car enthusiast, but I still enjoyed looking at the range of cars. There are some really interesting ones, each with their own story. Here are a few highlights:
Top Cars On Display
There is a plethora of historic vehicles housed within the museum, for example, the 1931 Bugatti Type 41 Royale is truly a spectacle to behold. This iconic automobile, an epitome of luxury, spoke volumes of glamour and opulence.
Another was the legendary Bluebird and Golden Arrow racing cars. Their record-breaking feats echoed throughout the exhibit, reminding us of human courage and relentless pursuit of speed.
Adding a delightful touch of whimsy to the collection was the adorable Mini Outspan Orange. This eccentric car, shaped like a citrus fruit, brought a smile to my face. Its unusual design seemed to invite visitors to embrace the joy and fun of motoring.
![Mini Outspan Orange - Beaulieu National Motor Museum](https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/63b4492f718e031ad5f81b45/646f2e04f54146508056905b_IMG_20230507_114558410.webp)
The World of Top Gear
Although I’m not a big car enthusiast, but I do enjoy Top Gear! As you walk around, each vehicle has some photos from the show and a screen with a clip from the programme, showing you how the car was used during the show.
There is also a large screen, showing a compilation of the best bits over the years, with the different presenters. The World of Top Gear was probably one of my favourite parts to look at out of all the cars.
![Top Gear Car - Beaulieu National Motor Museum](https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/63b4492f718e031ad5f81b45/646f2d993932616931ca61ab_IMG_20230507_104639365.webp)
On Screen Cars
In the On Screen Cars exhibit, we had the chance to see some famous vehicles from film and television, including:
- The flying Ford Anglia from the Harry Potter series
- Chitty Chitty Bang Bang
- Mr Bean's infamous Mini
- The Trotter’s three-wheeled car from Only Fools and Horses
- The Piaggio Ape used by Eddie and Patsy in Absolutely Fabulous Movie
Beyond the Motor Museum
There's so much more to see at Beaulieu besides the fantastic National Motor Museum. In this section, I'll walk you through some of the additional attractions such as Palace House, Beaulieu Abbey, the Monorail, Veteran Bus, and Secret Army Exhibition.
Palace House
This was one of my favourite places to explore, as I love history. I was fascinated by Palace House, which has been home to the Montagu family since 1538. As you walk around you get the sense of what a wonderful place it must have been live. I admired the Victorian-era interiors and glimpses of the family's intriguing history.
![Palace House - Beaulieu National Motor Museum](https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/63b4492f718e031ad5f81b45/646f2e5e06b50bc8dd158f7c_IMG_20230507_143214355.webp)
Outside of the house, are the beautiful gardens, next to the river, which is a nice place to sit on a bench and watch the world go by.
![Beaulieu River - Beaulieu National Motor Museum](https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/63b4492f718e031ad5f81b45/646f2e85562415e2960cc0e9_IMG_20230507_143154337~2.webp)
Beaulieu Abbey
Not far from the Palace House is Beaulieu Abbey. This captured my attention with its rich history and picturesque ruins. As we explored the remains, I read about the Cistercian monks who once lived there and the fascinating tales of their lives in the 13th century.
Secret Army Exhibition
The Secret Army Exhibition intrigued me with its stories of WWII espionage. There is a small collection of artefacts and a place to sit down to watch a video to learn more.
![Secret Army Exhibition - Beaulieu National Motor Museum](https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/63b4492f718e031ad5f81b45/646f2eb94d486514f6dce2ce_IMG_20230507_140400675.webp)
Monorail
One of my daughter’s favourite experiences at Beaulieu was the Monorail. We had heard that on busy days the queue for this can get quite long, so on the day that we went, it opened at 10.30 am and we were first in the queue.
The trip on the monorail is just a mile long, which meant we were on it for about 8 minutes. It does a loop around some of the grounds and goes through the motor museum, so you get a bird's eye view.
Veteran Bus
The Veteran Bus is a lovingly restored 1912 open-topped bus. My daughter really enjoyed this, so we went on it twice. The first time we sat at the top and the second time we sat at the lower deck.
It leaves from near the entrance of the Motor Museum and ends near Beaulieu Abbey and the Palace House. At this point, you can either jump off and explore or stay on to enjoy the ride. When we looked at the Palace House we were a bit tired, so we waited for the bus to take us back to the main museum.
![Veteran Bus - Beaulieu National Motor Museum](https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/63b4492f718e031ad5f81b45/646f2fc29998bf3b80315788_Bus%20Beaulieu.webp)
Is Beaulieu good for children?
Beaulieu is a great place for children. There is plenty of different things to see to keep them occupied. The main attractions for children are the monorail, the bus, running around the grounds and the play park, called Little Beaulieu.
My daughter especially loved Little Beaulieu, it was a great place to burn off some energy and have fun while we took a break. There is a kiosk to buy a hot drink and a snack. There are also conveniently located toilets, rather than having to go back to the main museum.
Little Beaulieu had a variety of play equipment that the kids enjoyed, such as climbing frames and slides. It was a safe, enclosed space that allowed my little ones to play freely whilst being supervised by us.
![Little Beaulieu - Beaulieu National Motor Museum](https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/63b4492f718e031ad5f81b45/646f2f574d486514f6ddac2a_IMG_20230507_125632362.webp)
Useful Information to Know
During my visit to the Beaulieu National Motor Museum, I found the following information helpful:
What time does it open?
The museum is open daily from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm. It is open every day of the year, except for Christmas Day.
How much does it cost and are they any discounts available?
It is cheaper to pre-book your ticket online. Here are the pre-booking prices.
- Adults: £24
- Seniors: £23
- Children (5-16 years): £13
- Children under 5: Free
If you pay on the day, these prices will increase, so it’s good to plan in advance.
Beaulieu also offers NHS, Blue Light and Armed Forces discounts. There is no mention of this on their website, so I would give them a call before you go to see the best way to ensure you get discounted tickers.
Tip: As Beaulieu is a registered charity, if you pay for Gift Aid donation entitles you and others covered by your original ticket admission to the National Motor Museum for a year (this does not include re-admission to the other Beaulieu attractions or admission when some of the big events are on, such as the Supercar Weekend).
Is there somewhere to eat?
There is a lovely on-site café called Brabazon, which is located near the main museum. My family and I treated ourselves to a pizza meal deal, which included drinks. There are also lots of other choices on the menu, including sandwiches, burgers, light snacks and ice cream.
There’s plenty of seating available, indoors and outdoors. We chose a table indoors and our food was ready in about 10 minutes.
If you prefer to bring your own food, trying to save money or would like to enjoy the outdoors there are also picnic areas dotted around the grounds.
How long does it take to go around Beaulieu?
It depends on what you're planning to see. We took advantage of everything Beaulieu has to offer, which took the majority of the day. However, you could spend a morning or afternoon there and you would still be able to see a lot of the exhibits.
Is there a map of the facilities?
You can get a map on arrival or you can look at this online interactive map before you go.
Accessibility
I noticed that the Beaulieu National Motor Museum is wheelchair accessible, with ramps and lifts available for those with mobility issues. In addition, they offer complimentary admission for one accompanying carer per disabled visitor. There are also accessible toilets and parking spaces for blue badge holders.
![Rainbow Top Gear Car - Beaulieu National Motor Museum](https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/63b4492f718e031ad5f81b45/646f309334660635c11b78b0_IMG_20230507_102440203_HDR.webp)
How to Get There
By Car
I found it quite easy to reach the Beaulieu National Motor Museum by car. It's located in the heart of the New Forest, making it accessible from various parts of southern England. For a precise route, I'd recommend using a GPS device and inputting the postcode SO42 7ZN.
Is parking free at Beaulieu?
The parking is included in the ticket price, so you don't need to worry about additional costs. There's plenty of space, and it's easy to navigate.
Public Transport
Though my family and I travelled by car, I discovered that the museum is also reachable by public transport.
The nearest train station is Brockenhurst, which is connected to London Waterloo and other major cities. However, it is about 7 miles away, so you would need to take a bus which is about or get a taxi, or cycle, depending on the time of day you arrive.
If you are staying a bit further out in Southampton you can get the Hythe Ferry across the Solent. Then there is a 5-mile bus ride to the museum.
Hotels and holiday accommodation near Beaulieu
Although we didn’t stay in any holiday accommodation, I have done some research for you to see what is available.
One hotel that stands out is The Master Builder's House Hotel. It's a lovely place located at Buckler's Hard, just 2.3 miles away from the museum.
For those preferring a different experience, there's The Wayside Shepherd Hut 1.5 miles from Beaulieu. Guests can enjoy hiking nearby, or make the most of the garden.
Lastly, I discovered The Montagu Arms, a charming country house hotel that dates back to 1742. Located just 0.3 miles from the museum, it's home to an award-winning restaurant - The Terrace. Furthermore, the hotel is surrounded by picturesque gardens.
Nearby Attractions
If you’re staying for a weekend away, there are a few other places that you might want to visit.
Firstly, there is Lepe Country Park, a coastal area perfect for a leisurely walk. The park offers picturesque views of the Solent and the Isle of Wight, making it an ideal spot to enjoy some fresh air and scenery.
Another place to visit is Calshot Beach, a popular destination for water sports enthusiasts. The beach is well-known for its windsurfing, kitesurfing, and sailing opportunities. It's a fantastic place to soak up some sun and watch the action on the water.
Lastly, don't miss Exbury Gardens, a beautiful horticultural haven boasting a vast collection of rare plants, shrubs, and trees.
Hampshire Explorer Verdict
I visited the Beaulieu National Motor Museum in April 2023 - Right from the beginning, I was impressed by the vast array of motoring history displayed in the museum.
The layout of the museum was easy to navigate, and I particularly appreciated the educational aspect of the exhibits. They provide a good balance of information for visitors of all ages. Alongside the cars, there's a fantastic section called the World of Top Gear, where you can see an array of vehicles from the popular television show.
While I was exploring, I also took the opportunity to visit the historic Palace House and Gardens. It's been home to the Montagu family since 1538 and offers a glimpse into the lives of its inhabitants. The gardens were beautiful, and the guided tour inside the Palace House was informative.
As a history enthusiast, I didn't want to miss the opportunity to visit the remains of Beaulieu Abbey. I found the ruins to be quite remarkable and the presentation boards offered detailed information about the monastic life that once took place there.
Taking a break from all the walking, I stopped at the museum café for some refreshments. The variety of snacks and meals available was great, and I found the prices to be fair as well.
In case you're planning a trip to Beaulieu, I would recommend setting aside at least a full day to explore everything it has to offer. The advance tickets are reasonably priced, considering the number of attractions included. We’ll definitely be visiting again!