Beaulieu motor museum in southampton... anyone been? and more importantly - how long does it take to get around it?

[Paul the 6th]

Word up, peace and love, peace and love.

While I was working in london this week, I was going to collect a zetec engine from hampshire which I won on ebay, but due to work changing at the last minute, I was unable to get out of the city and over to tadley (an hour away from ldn), so I rescheduled til tomorrow.

I was planning on doing a mammoth roadtrip down to collect the engine and bring it back, but it seems a bit of a waste to travel 250 odd miles and not bother having a wander around. I've just spotted the beaulieu motor museum which is another hour past tadley near southampton, so if we were to set off at 8am, it'd take about 4.5 to 5 hours to get down (arriving at 1pm ish). The museum shuts at 5pm, so if we arrived at 2pm or 2.30 if traffic has been bad, would we have enough time to get around without rushing?

I've yet to tell the missus but I've decided we're gonna grab a travel lodge and go somewhere else on sunday before coming home :) What else is there? She mentioned something about a sealife/marine centre type thing...

all pointers welcome :)

[Jdubya]

If your down that way then Spinnaker tower in portsmouth harbour is a good couple of hours killer on a nice day...

HTH

[G]

I went years and years ago when I used to live down there, it was very good.

I can only imagine the collection has improved over the years.....therefore it must now be very very good.

[mattSV]

Sealife centre is in P*rtsmouth, not far from Spinnaker Tower - views from the tower are great when the weather is good however I think the forecast is a bit cr@p tomorrow.

You could whizz round the motor museum in three/four hours however it would be a bit of a waste - there is quite a bit to see there in additon to the museum itself, would suggest saving it and making a weekend trip to include a bit more of the New Forest at the same time.

[Paul the 6th]

cheers for the tips guys, the plan is now collecting the engine, going to monkey world and then to beaulieu on sunday :D

[mattSV]

cheers for the tips guys, the plan is now collecting the engine, going to monkey world and then to beaulieu on sunday :D

Wahey - Monkeyworld is great, so long as they aren't all curled up inside trying to get out of the rain.

Whilst you are at Beaulieu, Bucklers Hard is just down the road and worth a look if you get the time - think you get admission to Bucklers Hard included with entry to the museum.

[andywilson460]

Monkey World is the best place in the world - so many monkeys, so little time.

Having said that, you will probably do Monkey world in about 3-4 hours, and Beaulieu is really excellent - it has Wheels, which is great for ironic value - I remember when it was first opened as a kid, and I went on completely amazed - went again 2 years ago and Wheels hadn't really changed in the intervening 20-odd years.

For fans of the Simpsons it also has a Monorail. I would encourage you to take a picnic or pack lunch as the food was incredibly expensive and terrible.

There are often classic car/club meets at the weekend, so you might get lucky and have another load of cars to look at - I went when it happened to be classic Ford RS's was amazing.

You'll have a great time with both of them. If you haven't booked the Travel Lodge there is a special deal at DeVere hotels nearby, not sure if the dates are available: http://www.deverevenues.co.uk/offers/leisure-offers/10000-rooms-10-pound.html

[Lozzo]

If anyone's ever got 2 minutes to spare then the Lifeboat Museum at Mundesley in Norfolk should just about fill it.

[keithd]

If anyone's ever got 2 minutes to spare then the Lifeboat Museum at Mundesley in Norfolk should just about fill it.

which is handy if you're in the Hampshire area!!!

[Dangerous Dave]

Its good, took just over half a day to walk (being nosey) round a couple of years ago.

[Lozzo]

which is handy if you're in the Hampshire area!!!

Hampshire gets boring after a while, you might need a change of scenery