Work has started on a £600,000 project that will give the National Motor Museum at Beaulieu a new look to its entrance hall and upper-gallery and re-introduce visitors to the story of motoring in Britain.
The work will create a new contemporary museum display interpreting the ages of the development of motoring in the UK.
The new exhibition, “Driven: Britain’s Motoring Story” will delve into the social and cultural impact of the motor vehicles.
Jon Murden, Chief Executive of the National Motor Museum says, “This will herald an exciting new look to the Museum from the Spring of 2026. Creating a new welcoming space and re-interpreting the galleries with entertaining and informative displays with the overarching story of motoring from its earliest times to the present day.”
“Britain without cars and motorcycles would be unrecognizable – they have changed the shape of our cities, nations and landscapes, revolutionized the way we make and sell things, and transformed how we live our lives.”
“From assembly-line mass-production to electric cars the new gallery will share the stories that have moved us.”
As part of this project essential works have started in the Museum this month as the first phase of the re-development gets underway. The Museum will remain open to visitors during this time, and every effort will be made to minimise any disruption.
“Driven: Britain’s Motoring Story” will have six distinct areas focusing on how Britain has changed over the decades. It is supported by the National Lottery Heritage Fund, Garfield Western Foundation, the Wolfson Foundation, and the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Community Foundation.
Gail Stewart Bye, Senior Curator of Objects and Exhibitions at the National Motor Museum says, “The stories behind the vehicles are going to be at the forefront of this display; the people who drove the cars, the impact on our lives and landscape and the influence on science, art and design. We’re still going to go under the bonnet to look at nuts and bolts and the huge technological changes to the engines and their capacities that you would normally associate with a motor museum.”
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About the National Motor Museum
- The National Motor Museum Trust Limited is a charitable organisation founded in 1972, which runs the National Motor Museum at Beaulieu in the New Forest. Continuing the work of the flagship Montagu Motor Museum, the Trust has a world-famous collection of 280 vehicles and associated motoring items, which are on display in the National Motor Museum.
- The National Motor Museum is an Accredited Museum and all its collections have been designated by Arts Council England as being of national and international importance. Its internationally-acclaimed collection of more than 1.9 million items is cared for by the National Motor Museum Trust and includes historically important motoring artefacts, film footage, images, documents and books.
- The nearby Collections Centre houses and cares for a vast array of motoring artefacts, photographic images, specialist reference library and film and video library. For more information about its collection and services see www.nationalmotormuseum.org.uk
- Visitors to Beaulieu can enjoy a full day out with features including the ancestral Montagu home Palace House, 13th century Beaulieu Abbey, adventure play area Little Beaulieu, and grounds and gardens. Tickets can be bought in advance. For tickets or more information, see www.beaulieu.co.uk or call 01590 612345.
- A full calendar of events and exhibitions is held at Beaulieu by the National Motor Museum, including Collection Centre Open Days, Classic Grille Evenings, Meet the Curator events and Transport Torques. Details are available at www.nationalmotormuseum.org.uk/events
- Work has started on ambitious plans to upgrade facilities and open up even more of its collections to visitors.
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