Discussion
We're planning a trip to Windsor soon, with children in tow. I was wondering about visiting Brooklands. A brief Google suggests there is a motor museum and Mercedes Benz World. Are both worth a visit?
Is there anything else round there (apart from LEGOLAND) worth doing? The children are between 8-11.
Is there anything else round there (apart from LEGOLAND) worth doing? The children are between 8-11.
Well it's just my opinion based on 8 years olds I know not being particularly interested in cars especially pre-war and veteran cars. Nor old WWII aircraft for that matter. To me Brooklands is charming just the buildings ooze nostalgia but then I'm happy to look around the old cars in the museum. Look at the recreation of the clerk of the course's office and stroll around the old paddock and lock ups and imagine it full of Bentleys, Bugattis and MGs. To me the banking is haunted by the ghosts of drivers past but I imagine to most 8 year olds would just see a muddy moss covered lump of concrete full of potholes. I'm only giving an alternative view to other posters. I don't know your kids so only you can decide.
RichB said:
Well it's just my opinion based on 8 years olds I know not being particularly interested in cars especially pre-war and veteran cars. Nor old WWII aircraft for that matter. To me Brooklands is charming just the buildings ooze nostalgia but then I'm happy to look around the old cars in the museum. Look at the recreation of the clerk of the course's office and stroll around the old paddock and lock ups and imagine it full of Bentleys, Bugattis and MGs. To me the banking is haunted by the ghosts of drivers past but I imagine to most 8 year olds would just see a muddy moss covered lump of concrete full of potholes. I'm only giving an alternative view to other posters. I don't know your kids so only you can decide.
Nicely put. The children will probably "get" the nostalgia to be fair. I think we'll give it a shot.Depends on the child, doesn't it.
Most of the aircraft at Brooklands are NOT World War 2. There are a couple of World War 2 aircraft and even some World War or pre World War 1 aircraft. The Wellingtom bomber on display was recovered from teh bottom of Loch Ness. However, the bulk are post WW2 - such as Concorde, a Hawker P1127 (prototype Harrier), a Hunter, a Swift fuselage etc.
There are also a number of airliners which are open to the public such as a Viscount and a Vanguard. Concorde is also open but you pay extra for the guided tour.
There are also a large number of aircraft engines and also some test equipment. Brooklands was the home of Vickers during World War 2 and it contained the office of Barnes Wallis - so there is a quite a bit of stuff on display relating to him and the work he carried out - ranging from airship design (the R100), aircraft design, the Wellesley and Wellington) and, most famously, teh special bombs developed for the RAF during teh war.
As for the cars, there are some very famous racing cars on display including some of the great Brooklands "Specials" of the 1930s. There are also some pre-war racing motorcycles and the paddock buildings and garages of the 1930s have also been reconstructed.
Lots to see and do.
Most of the aircraft at Brooklands are NOT World War 2. There are a couple of World War 2 aircraft and even some World War or pre World War 1 aircraft. The Wellingtom bomber on display was recovered from teh bottom of Loch Ness. However, the bulk are post WW2 - such as Concorde, a Hawker P1127 (prototype Harrier), a Hunter, a Swift fuselage etc.
There are also a number of airliners which are open to the public such as a Viscount and a Vanguard. Concorde is also open but you pay extra for the guided tour.
There are also a large number of aircraft engines and also some test equipment. Brooklands was the home of Vickers during World War 2 and it contained the office of Barnes Wallis - so there is a quite a bit of stuff on display relating to him and the work he carried out - ranging from airship design (the R100), aircraft design, the Wellesley and Wellington) and, most famously, teh special bombs developed for the RAF during teh war.
As for the cars, there are some very famous racing cars on display including some of the great Brooklands "Specials" of the 1930s. There are also some pre-war racing motorcycles and the paddock buildings and garages of the 1930s have also been reconstructed.
Lots to see and do.
Eric Mc said:
Depends on the child, doesn't it.
Most of the aircraft at Brooklands are NOT World War 2. There are a couple of World War 2 aircraft and even some World War or pre World War 1 aircraft. The Wellingtom bomber on display was recovered from teh bottom of Loch Ness. However, the bulk are post WW2 - such as Concorde, a Hawker P1127 (prototype Harrier), a Hunter, a Swift fuselage etc.
There are also a number of airliners which are open to the public such as a Viscount and a Vanguard. Concorde is also open but you pay extra for the guided tour.
There are also a large number of aircraft engines and also some test equipment. Brooklands was the home of Vickers during World War 2 and it contained the office of Barnes Wallis - so there is a quite a bit of stuff on display relating to him and the work he carried out - ranging from airship design (the R100), aircraft design, the Wellesley and Wellington) and, most famously, teh special bombs developed for the RAF during teh war.
As for the cars, there are some very famous racing cars on display including some of the great Brooklands "Specials" of the 1930s. There are also some pre-war racing motorcycles and the paddock buildings and garages of the 1930s have also been reconstructed.
Lots to see and do.
They'll love that.Most of the aircraft at Brooklands are NOT World War 2. There are a couple of World War 2 aircraft and even some World War or pre World War 1 aircraft. The Wellingtom bomber on display was recovered from teh bottom of Loch Ness. However, the bulk are post WW2 - such as Concorde, a Hawker P1127 (prototype Harrier), a Hunter, a Swift fuselage etc.
There are also a number of airliners which are open to the public such as a Viscount and a Vanguard. Concorde is also open but you pay extra for the guided tour.
There are also a large number of aircraft engines and also some test equipment. Brooklands was the home of Vickers during World War 2 and it contained the office of Barnes Wallis - so there is a quite a bit of stuff on display relating to him and the work he carried out - ranging from airship design (the R100), aircraft design, the Wellesley and Wellington) and, most famously, teh special bombs developed for the RAF during teh war.
As for the cars, there are some very famous racing cars on display including some of the great Brooklands "Specials" of the 1930s. There are also some pre-war racing motorcycles and the paddock buildings and garages of the 1930s have also been reconstructed.
Lots to see and do.
Also make sure you take them to see the stratosphere chamber. I defy anyone, whether a kid or not, not to be awestruck by the magnitude of what they managed to build as a test environment.
Not only do you get to wander around in the chamber, but also to see the equipment that drives it all. And the kids can twiddle the knobs in the control room.
Not only do you get to wander around in the chamber, but also to see the equipment that drives it all. And the kids can twiddle the knobs in the control room.
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