Birthday trip to Beaulieu

The last few years we've stayed local for my birthday and gone shopping in town. This year we were up and out just after 9am heading towards the New Forest and Beaulieu, the National Motor Museum. I've been many times, the first when I was about 5 and the last about in 2007 when I took the Camper for a spin following some servicing. Coming back today as a family was fun as it gave Lily a chance to run around and see loads of CARS!





First up was the new Top Gear display featuring lots of the old stunts cars from the series. The car boats, the Reliant Shuttle and the Campers were all in various states of decay following a bashing on the show.







Then it was round into the main museum. The place seems to rearrange itself to stay fresh. A lot of the same cars are in there but shuffled about to mix it up. Its difficult to pick a favourite but these are some of the highlights.







The biggest change since my last visit is the vast Bond in Motion display that dominates the middle of the museum now. Its new for this year and is the biggest gathering of old James Bond film cars, bikes, gadgets and props. Again I have seen a fair few before but there were still some nice surprises within.





The Spy Who Loved Me, Lotus submarine is as old as me!








With lunchtime fast approaching we took a break for fish & chips in the Brabazon restaurant, also a chance to rest weary feet before part two. Suitably refreshed we headed back inside for the rest of the Bond in Motion display.









One of the best bits about Beaulieu has always been their Land Speed Record collection. Some of it has been relocated during the Bond exhibition to different museums or elsewhere on site but the Bluebirds and GoldenRod still remain. I just love the vast sleek CN7 with its tall fin.





We wandered round the rest of the area looking at the racing cars at the far end.



I have a photo taken when I was about 5 of me in a similar position. A quiet word with the staff helped to recreate it.





And that was it. But Beaulieu is far more than cars, the grounds stretch off to the river nearby and you can wander round freely. The house and ruins are also open but not really Lily friendly, we can wait a bit before attempting them! But what we could do was ride the monorail, still that familiar bright green fibreglass train that glides along on its rail from the station near the entrance, through the museum at high level and down to the house, swinging round and through the gardens before returning home. Being mid week we had the place to ourselves a lot of the time and the monorail became our personal transport for the whole ride. Lily loved every minute of it.





We then walked the same route taking in the ruins and the front of the house and the stunning spring flowers that were poking through.







Our final port of call was the kiddies play area, still a little big for Lily we shared a ride instead.



And then via the shop it was time to head home. A brilliant day blessed with glorious weather. The rest of the photos can be found here

Steve.

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