Description
The National Motor Museum, Beaulieu is a world-famous transport collection that offers an incredible day out for motoring fans of all generations. It is widely considered one of the best things to do with kids in the New Forest, functioning as a sprawling multi-attraction museum and outdoor adventure park. The site boasts over 280 historic vehicles, large parkland gardens, a high-level monorail, and a historic abbey.
Standard entry tickets booked online in advance start from £24.00 for adults and £13.00 for children. Young toddlers under the age of five can explore the entire museum complex completely free of charge. Your single general admission ticket grants full access to all attractions on the site, including the museum, palace house, and monorail.
If you are looking for the best place for a day out with family and kids, this country estate masterfully combines learning with active outdoor play. It provides a massive variety of interactive displays and family trails designed to keep children of all ages fully entertained. It is an exceptional Hampshire spot to bond over world-famous cars and historical discoveries.
Features
- Paid
- Host birthday parties: No
Features
Activity Features
- Sensory Play Elements: Children can hear the roaring sounds of vintage engines, feel the textures of early driving gear, and explore interactive touch-screen displays.
- Interactive Exhibits: The complex features a dedicated driving simulator, hands-on mechanical puzzles, and buttons that activate historic moving parts.
- Educational Day Out: Families can uncover how British transport changed over generations through guided tours, live vehicle start-ups, and interactive activity sheets.
Detailed Highlights
- The World of Top Gear: This exhibition houses the actual, battered vehicles created by the presenters for their ambitious television challenges. Children will love seeing the creative, wacky modifications up close and learning how these odd machines were built.
- The On-Screen Cars Collection: A brilliant display featuring iconic vehicles from famous films and television programmes, including Harry Potter's flying Ford Anglia and Mr Bean's mini. It gives kids a fantastic opportunity to see their favorite on-screen cars in real life.
- The Little Beaulieu Adventure Play Area: A massive, custom-built wooden play fortress packed with secret walkways, zip lines, and climbing nets. It provides a brilliant physical space for younger children to let off steam while parents enjoy a coffee nearby.
- The Veteran Monorail: This historic electric monorail line travels directly through the main exhibition hall and high above the parkland gardens. It offers families a smooth, elevated view of the entire estate while acting as a fun way to get around.
- The Land Speed Record Gallery: An exhibition featuring legendary, aerodynamic cars that shattered world speed records, including the iconic Bluebird. Children will be fascinated by the sheer scale of these vehicles and the stories of the brave drivers who steered them.
Attraction Inventory & Beyond
- The National Motor Museum Hall
- The World of Top Gear Exhibition
- On-Screen Cars Display
- Little Beaulieu Adventure Playground
- The Veteran Monorail System
- Beaulieu Abbey Ruins and Exhibition
- Palace House and Gardens
- The Secret Army Exhibition
9.34 miles
