Museum recommendations

[aparatchik]

Hi there,

I'll be visting the UK in early november, and would like to visit either the Beaulieu Motor Museum, or the Donington Grand Prix Collection. Could anyone who's had the good fortune of visiting both recommend one over the other? Unfortunately I won't be able to fit both in on this trip...

Thanks,
dave.

[Ballistic Banana]

quote:Hi there,

I'll be visting the UK in early november, and would like to visit either the Beaulieu Motor Museum, or the Donington Grand Prix Collection. Could anyone who's had the good fortune of visiting both recommend one over the other? Unfortunately I won't be able to fit both in on this trip...

Thanks,
dave.

Havent been to Beaulieu MM,infact i have never heard of it.
Been to Donnington though and can recommend it.
It has a good variety of race cars from many decades and a majority of F1 motors.


BB

[PetrolTed]

If you're in the Midlands you might also want to consider www.heritage.org.uk

[Ballistic Banana]

Whats it like there then Ted ???

Have you been,what sort of motors do they have??

BB

[dennisthemenace]

quote:
If you're in the Midlands you might also want to consider www.heritage.org.uk

That looks like fun with the off road course

[aparatchik]

For clarification purposes, you can check out details on the National Motor Museum at Beaulieu here:

www.beaulieu.co.uk/motormuseum/index.htm

[superflid]

Only been to Donington so unable to compare the two, but would agree it is worth the trip if F1 is your interest.
A list of other ideas is at www.classicmotor.co.uk/museums/museums.htm

[CarZee]

I've been to Beaulieu, but not Donington..

Beaulieu is somewhere I'm glad I went to, but equally glad I was passing anyway and didn't go out of my way to see.. that said, they have a much broader theme than just racing cars, so if it's a racing car museum you're after, Beaulieu ain't it.

[jmorgan]

I found Donnington OK. Some good distractions amongst the F1 slot cars.
Gaydon was more interesting for me.

[neil_cardiff]

Ditto Carzee,
I went as an enthusiastic twelve year old, ohh about twelve years ago, and loved it. Beaulieu really deals with the history of motor transport, and touches on a lot of the milestones over the years. Back then it was a fun packed day, if they have developed further as I would hope they have then you will really enjoy yourself.

Beside the countryside round there is amazing...

[.Mark]

Beaulieu, is good, lots to see/do. Best bit is if you don't do it all in one day your ticket is valid for another free visit within a week.
Oh - and they have a TVR on display, and all the cars in the collection are road legal.

[N17 TVR]

I thought Beaulieu was great, pity there was only 1 Tiv, but the other fantastic cars made up for it.

Great day out.

[wpresland]

Museums are Ok (of the two, i'd plump for Donington...just) but I'd rather see cars moving.

Are you over here on the weekend? Theres some great racing on this time of year. Formula Ford festival, for one...

[angusfaldo]

If you head to Gaydon this weekend then you can also take in the very fascinating TVRCC AGM.

[raceboy]

quote:

I'll be visting the UK in early november,

November 3rd Truck racing at Donington, if you got there early you could do the museum in the morning then watch some racing in the afternoon

www.donington-park.co.uk/home.htm

[bikerkeith]

Only been to Beaulieu, the whole story of cars there, rather than purely sporting displays. Highlight for me was being able to drive a 1919 Chevrolet for a short distance, but I wanted more.

[phil r]

The Haynes (as in maintenance manuals) museum (at Sparkford I think) is good value, 4 halls crammed with cars, and the red room has some fantastic machinery all red so you can compare the form not the paintwork!
If you are in the Lakes go to the Museum of cars and stars in Keswick, the owner has a small collection of about 40 cars which he circulates around other museums but he has among others, at least 3 batmobiles (original TV and two of the recent films), the Mad Max interceptor, one of the General Lee stunt cars, loads of Bond cars AMs Loti etc, Emma Peel's Elan, and The full size Pink Rolls from Thunderbirds. Small but good fun for an hour or so!

[wolosp]

quote:
.....and all the cars in the collection are road legal.

I'd like to see Donald Campbell's Bluebird drive to the local supermarket!

[aparatchik]

Looks like Donington may be the ticket for this trip. From what I understand it's about 120 miles from London? Would anyone have a clue as to where I could rent a -fun- car in the central London area to drive up there (i.e. Not a Focus or an Astra)?