There’s nothing like Beaulieu’s Top Ten for summer

Step back in time at the newly opened Victorian Kitchen in Palace House, where Lord Montagu’s cook will prepare traditional dishes on the range. While Victorian entertainers play the grand piano, sing and play games on the lawn outside. For the full summer line-up, see our exciting top ten tips below:

WACKY RECORD BREAKERS

Experience the crazier side of motoring with Wacky Record Breakers, the brand new summer exhibition in the museum. This awesome collection of off-the-wall automotive oddities brings together unbelievable creations by TV presenter Edd China and YouTuber and inventor Colin Furze. Wonder at the motorised bathroom suite, road-legal garden shed and double bed, and prepare to be amazed by the world’s fastest fairground dodgem, pram and mobility scooter. On Sunday July 23^rd, see Edd driving the bathroom suite and a sofa around the grounds of the attraction at our launch event.

A new=look world of Top gear

In an exciting summer launch a refreshed World of Top Gear will reflect changes to the new-look BBC Top Gear. Amazing new exhibits from the world’s biggest motoring show include the impressive Ssangyacht built from the world’s ugliest people carrier, the longest limousine selfie opportunity ever and a marine feature displaying boat challenge vehicles. While the Enormodrome boasts a brand new studio in keeping with the style of the latest series with presenters Matt LeBlanc, Chris Harris and Rory Reid. In homage to the past, there will still be plenty of vehicles and memorabilia from the show’s 40-year history.

newly opened victorian kitchen

 In an exciting project for 2017 Beaulieu has opened the newly restored Victorian Kitchen at Palace House, where Lord Montagu’s cook will wear her Victorian cook’s costume as she prepares authentic dishes on the range throughout the summer holiday. Her homemade cakes, biscuits and preserves are also be on sale in the kitchen shop. The original kitchen from the Victorian era was gutted to make way for a motorcycle display in the early 1950s and has been fully restored to working order for visitors to Beaulieu this summer.

falconry at the abbey

For a chance to see birds of prey in flight this summer, head to the Cloisters of the 13^th century Beaulieu Abbey. Watch as these magnificent birds take to the sky in falconry demonstrations by our expert falconer and learn about the remarkable history of these ancient skills.

beaulieu’s past comes to life

Take a step back in time as Living History characters bring Beaulieu to life with the sights and sounds of the past. Meet the costumed monk to find out what life was like in the abbey’s monastic heyday, then see veteran cars bring driven in the grounds and grab a photo opportunity next to Beaulieu’s Penny Farthing. Join a game of croquet on the lawn at Palace House or head inside to meet Victorian house staff and sing along with the house guests.

awesome supercar weekend

More than 450 of the most impressive supercars on the planet will gather at Beaulieu’s Supercar Weekend on August 5^th and 6^th for an unmissable two-day showdown that every performance motoring enthusiast will love. High-octane demonstration runs, amazing displays and a Battle of the Brands around Beaulieu’s giant globe will showcase the greatest supercar-building nations of the world.

life-size lego caravan

A LEGO caravan which holds the Guinness World Record as ‘the largest caravan built with interlocking plastic bricks’ is now on show at Beaulieu. Built by 12 model makers using 215,158 LEGO bricks, this astonishing creation may use plastic components from the toy box but does almost everything a real caravan can do, with electric lights, running water and even seats that fold into a bed. There are even LEGO eggs, mushrooms and tomatoes cooking in a frying pan on the two-hob burner, a vase full of flowers on the table, a chess set and toothbrushes by the sink.

muscle mustang ‘art car’

Get creative with our felt-tip pens and colour a real-life Ford Mustang car, to customise it with the designs of your choice. Newly arrived at Beaulieu, the Mustang will be a blank canvas for visitors to colour in its bodywork and create an eye-catching masterpiece. Can you come up with a colour scheme fit for this legendary American muscle car on the Beaulieu Events Arena?

automotive steampunk creative fun

Explore the imaginative world of automotive steampunk with Creative Fun sessions in the museum throughout August. Inspired by the Keep CALM and STEAM Ahead project, supported by the Arts Council England Designation Development Fund, families can explore magical mechanisms at drop-in sessions on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays from August 1^st-24^th from 11am-3pm. Look out for the imaginative steampunk costumes created by Arts University Bournemouth students to reflect some of the most iconic vehicles in the museum.

mythical tree carvings and fairy door fun

New for the summer will be a legendary Green Man tree carving, a many-headed serpent stretching out across the Beaulieu River and a tree-top griffin, the mythical creature which supports the Montagu family coat of arms. Enter the realms of magic with a stroll along  Mill Pond Walk and find fairy doors in woodland trees along the pathway. What magical creatures might be living behind each of the miniature door creations?

All summer activities are included in the general admission to Beaulieu which includes entry to the National Motor Museum and its collection of more than 250 vehicles, the World of Top Gear, On Screen Cars, Beaulieu Abbey, Palace House and the picturesque grounds and gardens. For advance tickets click here.

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