Top 10 Remarquable Facts about Beaulieu Motor Museum

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Top 10 Remarquable Facts about Beaulieu Motor Museum

The museum was founded in 1952 by Edward Douglas-Scott-Montagu, 3rd Baron Montagu of Beaulieu, as a tribute to his father, John, 2nd Baron Montagu, who was one of the pioneers of motoring in the United Kingdom.

Actually, he was the first person to drive a motor car into the yard of the Houses of Parliament and introduced King Edward VII, then the Prince of Wales to motoring during the 1890s.

At first, the museum consisted of just five cars and a small collection of automobilia displayed in the front hall of Lord Montagu’s ancestral home, Palace House.

In addition, such to the popularity of this small display that the collection soon outgrew its home, and was transferred to wooden sheds on the grounds of the house.

The reputation and popularity of the Beaulieu collection continued to grow: during 1959, the museum’s “attendance figures” reached 296,909.

By 1964, annual attendance exceeded the half a million mark and a decision was taken to create a purpose-built museum building on the grounds of the Beaulieu estate.  

A design committee chaired by the architect Sir Hugh Casson was created to drive the project, and the architect Leonard Manasseh was given the contract for the design of the building which was primarily the work of his partner Ian Baker.

By 1972, the collection exceeded 300 exhibits. In a ceremony performed by the Duke of Kent the new purpose-built museum building in the parkland surrounding Palace House was opened on 4 July 1972.

The name was changed to the National Motor Museum, reflecting a change of status from a private collection to a charitable trust and highlighting Montagu’s stated aim to provide Britain with a National Motor Museum.

The motor museum is worthy of the great achievements of its motor industry. The opening of the museum coincided with the UK launch of the Jagua XJ12 which made it an appropriate week for celebrating the UK motor industry.

The museum is run by the National Motor Museum Trust Ltd, a registered charity.

An unusual feature of the new museum building in 1972 is the National Motor Museum Monorail, passing through its interior. This was inspired by the light railway running through the US Pavilion at the Montreal World’s Fair, Expo 67.

1. Founder, Edward Douglas-Scott-Montagu

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Edward John Barrington Douglas-Scott-Montagu was the 3rd Baron Montagu of Beaulieu. He was an English Conservative politician well known in Great Britain for founding the National Motor Museum.

He also was a pivotal cause célèbre in British gay history following his 1954 conviction and imprisonment for homosexual sex, a charge he denied.

2. The Collections Currently

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Today, in addition to around 250 vehicles manufactured since the late-19th century, the museum has a collection of motoring books, journals, photographs, films, and automobilia of the world and is affiliated to the British Motorcycle Charitable Trust.

3. Associated with British Motorcycle Charitable Trust

It is affiliated with British motorcycles. British Motorcycles provides access to the public through a network of museums and annual motorcycle heritage events.

The Trust also provides support and resources to educational establishments, clubs, and private individuals and maintains information on all aspects of British motorcycles.

4. It has an exhibition of James Bond Vehicles

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Bond has been equipped with various vehicles that have numerous modifications including elaborate weapons and anti-pursuit systems, alternative transportation modes, and various other functions.

The trend arguably kicked off with the Aston Martin DB5. Land Rover Series I, Jaguar XF, Land Rover Series III, Land Rover Defender (L663), Range Rover Sport, Lada Riva, Maserati Quattroporte, Toyota Corolla.

The list is endless but we could add more like Toyota Land Cruiser Prado, Aston Martin DBS V12, Jaguar XKR, Porsche 911 Carrera 4, Mercedes Benz SL, Lamborghini Diablo, Lamborghini Diablo. 

However, an exhibition of James Bond vehicles appeared in the museum in 2012.

5. Includes a collection of well known Rolls-Royce

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The museum also hosts a collection of the well-known Rolls-Royce radiator mascot – the Spirit of Ecstasy – also known as the Flying Lady.

6. A Commissioned Collection by John Walter Edward Douglas-Scott-Montagu

The collection includes The Whisper, a figurine commissioned by John Walter Edward Douglas-Scott-Montagu, the 2nd Baron to his friend Charles Robinson Sykes who sculpted a personal mascot for the bonnet of his Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost.

Sykes originally crafted a figurine of a female model, Eleanor Thornton, in fluttering robes, pressing a finger against her lips – to symbolize the secret of the love between John and Eleanor, his secretary. The figurine was consequently named The Whisper.

7. Inclusion of Monorail

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Additional attractions include the National Motor Museum Monorail, veteran bus ride, playground, restaurant, and a substantial part of the Palace House and grounds, including the partially ruined Beaulieu Abbey.

Among the monastery buildings to have been preserved are the Domus, now used for functions and exhibitions, and the refectory, which is now the parish church.

8. World Top Gear Cars

The exhibit “World of Top Gear” has cars created by former Top Gear presenters Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond, and James May. This exhibition is amazing to the lovers of classy cars.

9. One Ticket has many others attached

The National Motor Museum is one of several attractions on Lord Montagu’s Beaulieu estate which are marketed jointly as “Beaulieu”.

One admission ticket includes the following attractions: Beaulieu Abbey, National Motor Museum, Beaulieu Palace House, World of Top Gear, and Secret Army Exhibition – an exhibit about the Special Operations Executive (SOE) training at Beaulieu during World War II.

There are gardens attached to visit plus the National Motor Museum Monorail.

10. 

Currently, there are around 250 of the most historically important motor vehicles to have been produced since the late-19th century.

Of importance to note are the four world land speed record holders. The museum is also home to one of the finest collections of motoring books, journals, photographs, films, and automobilia in the world and is affiliated with the British Motorcycle Charitable Trust.

However, the museum is a beautiful place to visit if you are a fan of vehicles and more so if one is interested in learning the history of cars in terms of celebrities and movie stars. Additionally, the vehicles that have won the sports rallies are also exhibited in the museum.