Beaulieu

The 2016 National Austin 7 Rally will be held on Sunday 3rd July in the grounds of the National Motor Museum at Beaulieu. Gates will open at 9am. This year’s theme will be ‘Austin 7 Sports & Racers’ and there will be a special display of some rare and interesting examples. They will be joined on the rally field by a huge variety of other Austin 7 models and a great selection of trade stands catering for all Austin 7 needs. One of the joys of the marque is the ready availabilty of spare parts, making it one of the easiest and most affordable of pre-war cars to own. The Austin 7 is one of the most recognisable and well-known of pre-war cars. Generations grew up owning and driving the little ‘Motor for the Millions’. Austin themselves produced sports versions […]

Beaulieu is proud to welcome two new rallies, Simply Aston Martin and Simply Jaguar, to its busy 2016 calendar of Simply rallies. Celebrating two of Britain’s best-loved sports car marques within the successful Simply rally format, these new rallies will join the six already well-established Simplys that will be returning for 2016. Simply Aston Martin will get the show season off to a racing start on 10th April, as owners of all Aston Martins, classic and modern, are invited to display their cars in the grounds of the National Motor Museum. A number of owners’ clubs are expected to attend the new Simply Jaguar, taking place on 8th May, which will gather together a wide variety of sports cars and saloons adorned with the famous leaping cat mascot, with all cars built by the historic manufacturer welcome.

Beaulieu has announced that the 2016 dates for its world-famous International Autojumble, held in the grounds of the National Motor Museum, have been confirmed as the 3rd  and 4th September. Traditionally, the International Autojumble is held on the second full weekend of September and for several years the Goodwood Revival, the date of which is always dependent on the F1 Grand Prix calendar, has taken place on the following weekend. However, for the last two years the Revival has been brought forward a week to fit in with the F1 race schedule and as it is not in the best interests of Goodwood, Beaulieu, their exhibitors or visitors, to hold events on the same weekend, the decision was made to move Beaulieu’s International Autojumble forward a week as well. The same situation has prevailed for 2016 so Beaulieu will again […]

Barely auto related, but we like it anyway. Visit Beaulieu this Festive Season, between 19th December and 3rd January 2016, to experience the magic of a traditional Victorian Christmas. See one of the largest outdoor Christmas trees in the New Forest, adorned with seasonal decorations and follow the fairy light path to Palace House, the home of the Montagu family since 1538, which is a place of enchantment at this special time of year.  Children can follow the Christmas Cracker quiz trail, hear how festive traditions have developed over the ages and play Victorian parlour games. All the family can wrap up in beautiful coats, hats and scarves and climb aboard the stunning full-size sleigh to pose for a photograph – perfect for the family Christmas card. Visitors can talk to characters from Victorian times to discover what life was […]

Light rain during the opening hour of this year’s International Autojumble didn’t in any way dampen the spirits of the thousands of motoring enthusiasts who had eagerly anticipated their annual pilgrimage to the motoring mecca that is Beaulieu. By Sunday, grey skies had given way to warm sunshine, the fields full to bursting with exhibitor stands and visitors contributed to make this year’s International Autojumble a blissful Beaulieu. The event retained its cosmopolitan feel with thousands of European and overseas motoring enthusiasts joining the British contingent for the 49th International Autojumble, held in the parkland of the National Motor Museum on the 5th and 6th of September.

The National Motor Museum, Beaulieu, has launched an appeal to raise funds to build a new gear box for Sir Malcolm Campbell’s historic 1920 Sunbeam 350hp Land Speed Record car. The museum’s manager and Chief Engineer, Doug Hill says: “During the Sunbeam’s long and chequered history, its Achilles heel has been a weak gearbox. At some time after WWll, the original gearbox was removed and subsequently lost. It was replaced with a gearbox that was originally used in an Albion 35hp van, designed to take only one tenth of the power this engine produces and the way in which the braking system has been modified means that this installation severely compromises the braking of the vehicle. “For the next stage of the Sunbeam’s restoration story, we need to build a new gearbox from scratch. As the original gearbox no longer exists […]

Edward, 3rd Baron Montagu of Beaulieu, was the devoted custodian of his family’s 7,000-acre Beaulieu Estate in Hampshire. He was also a champion of the historic vehicle movement and founder of the National Motor Museum. He played a major role in the preservation of England’s historic houses and the development of the UK tourism industry. He passed away Monday at the age of 88. Edward Montagu inherited the Beaulieu Estate on the death of his father, John Montagu, a motoring pioneer, when he was just two years old. The family seat, Palace House, was built around the original gatehouse of Beaulieu Abbey, a Cistercian monastery founded on land granted to the Order by King John in 1204. The Estate was sold to Lord Montagu’s ancestor, Thomas Wriothesley, 1st Earl of Southampton, by Henry VIII in 1538. Lord Montagu was an […]

In contrast to the appalling weather in the run up to last year’s Simply Land Rover event, this weekend’s clear blue skies and warm sunshine encouraged Land Rover owners to make the journey to Beaulieu for this year’s Simply Land Rover on Sunday 9th August, to display their vehicles in the grounds of the National Motor Museum. Now in its third year the event saw a large increase in participating vehicles, up over one hundred on 2014 numbers at 270. It made for an impressive display of Land Rovers ranging from the classic Series I, II and III, to the rugged County and Defender, iconic Range Rover and capable Discovery. All Land Rover models and derivatives could be seen, from a battle-scarred workhorse to a pristine show-winner.

A highlight of the Beaulieu events calendar, Simply Classics & Sports Car, will return on Sunday 22nd August, bringing together a wide variety of pre-1990 classic cars, as well as sports cars of all ages. From family saloons and classic commercial vehicles to elegant tourers, open topped sports cars and more, this vibrant event is sure to please all motoring fans. Participants in the rally will be able to drive their cherished machines through the picturesque New Forest, before parking up in the grounds of the National Motor Museum, where they can chat with like-minded enthusiasts, admire the other cars on show and enjoy all of the features of the Beaulieu attraction, for just £10 per adult and £5 per child. For 2015, the event will celebrate three motoring milestones for Triumph with a special display area set aside for […]

Pendine Sands came alive as hundreds of spectators watched a commemorative run of the iconic 350hp Sunbeam, on the 90th anniversary of Sir Malcolm Campbell’s World Land Speed Record of 150mph. The National Motor Museum, Beaulieu, marked the anniversary with a low speed demonstration run in the restored Sunbeam with Sir Malcolm’s grandson Don Wales at the wheel. Don Wales and the Beaulieu team also recreated two iconic pictures from the original run. Don, who is also a Land Speed Record holder, said: “I was thrilled to be given this amazing opportunity to sit at the wheel of my grandfather’s car back at Pendine where he set his record. It was an honour both to follow in his footsteps and to drive this iconic car on such a special occasion. “My grandfather was a remarkable man and for us to […]

Land Rovers of all ages and varieties will be heading to Beaulieu on Sunday 9th August, for Simply Land Rover. Now in its third year this event, taking place in the grounds of the National Motor Museum, puts on an impressive display that is sure to appeal to fans of Britain’s best-loved off-roader. From the classic Series I, II and III, to the rugged County and Defender, iconic Range Rover and capable Discovery, all Land Rover models and derivatives are welcome to take part.  No matter if your pride-and-joy is a battle-scarred workhorse, a pristine show-winner or anything in between, Simply Land Rover is the show for you. Land Rover owners can drive into the Beaulieu parkland to join the display, meet like-minded enthusiasts, admire the array of vehicles and enjoy all of the features of one of the south’s […]

World renowned, Beaulieu Autojumbles are a must visit for the motoring enthusiast in the UK. With over 2000 stands, groaning with all kinds of vintage and classic motoring ephemera – motoring parts, accessories, automobilia, literature, tools and clothing, there is something for everyone and lots of bargains to be had. This iconic event enjoys the reputation that; “if you can’t find it at Beaulieu, it doesn’t’ exist!” Our videos this week, yes we have two, are of the Beaulieu Autojumble The first is from this year’s Spring event. Whether you’re hunting for that elusive final part to complete your restoration or just want to soak up the atmosphere, join us for the Beaulieu Spring Autojumble. With thousands of stands bursting with automotive related bargains, those with a penchant for automotive eclectica and rummaging for rare parts will be in their element. From […]