One of the UK’s most famous car museums could be forced to a new location

If you’re a fan of classic bangers and vintage vehicles, you’ll no doubt be familiar with the National Motor Museum. Inside a purpose-built building in Beaulieu, Hampshire (on the edge of the New Forest) sits a treasure trove of record-breaking race cars, iconic automobiles and millions of pieces of motoring memorabilia.

The museum was opened by Edward, 3rd Baron Montagu of Beaulieu, in 1972. But now, after 54 years, the vintage car collection could be about to wave goodbye to its original digs. 

The National Motor Museum Trust (NMMT), the independent charity in charge of the archive, is coming to the end of its lease at the Beaulieu estate and released a statement saying that it was on the hunt for a ‘transformational new home’.

Discussions between the trust and the Montagu family over the future of the museum have gone on for two years, the trust said. Both have apparently agreed that a move would be necessary to ‘reimagine and reinvigorate’ the collection.

If you’ve been planning a trip to the historic motoring hub, you’ll still have plenty of time to do so. The National Motor Museum’s lease at the estate doesn’t run out for another four years, giving the trust plenty of time to find a new home for its retro rides. 

When it does eventually set up shop elsewhere, though, the National Motor Museum will lose more than 10 percent of its collection. Around 29 of the museum’s vehicles belong to the Montagu family, who plan to operate their own motor museum on site once the motor museum moves on. The estate’s private collection includes a 1903 De Dion Bouton and a 1909 Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost as well as the Sunbeam 350hp and Sunbeam 1000hp land speed record cars. They’ll be available to visit alongside other current attractions, such as the Palace House, Abbey and monorail. 

National Motor Museum Beaulieu, SO42 7ZN.

Did you see that Time Out named St Fagans one of the UK’s best museums?

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