The National Motor Museum is planning to leave its home at the Beaulieu Estate in Hampshire after more than half a century. The National Motor Museum Trust (NMMT) announced it will not renew its lease when the current 60-year agreement expires in the coming years.
The museum, which attracts over 350,000 visitors annually, is searching for a new location capable of housing its expanding collection of nearly 300 vehicles. The charity, established in 1970 to manage the collection previously overseen by Beaulieu owner Lord Montagu, stated the move is part of a long-term strategy to secure its future.
Trustees aim to reimagine and reinvigorate the museum, engage with new generations of enthusiasts and diverse communities, and preserve its designated collection. The current site is believed by the Trust and the Montagu family, who own the Beaulieu estate, to no longer meet the museum's long-term needs due to the growing collection.
Expansion and Education Goals
The NMMT intends to broaden its learning and community engagement programs, including the creation of a dedicated training center for heritage engineering apprenticeships. A new location would help the museum fulfill its national remit and share the stories of motoring heritage more widely.
The collection features approximately 285 vehicles, including film and television stars, land speed record cars, Formula One machinery, and ancient motorized carriages. The museum also holds a vast archive of photographs, books, and automobilia detailing the history of Britain's motor industry, with over 1.9 million individual artifacts in total. Some items within the collection are owned by the Beaulieu estate and will remain with Lord Montagu.
Robert MacGregor, chair of the NMMT board of trustees, expressed both sadness at leaving Beaulieu and excitement for the opportunity to transform the museum. He thanked the Montagu family for their founding role and continued support. Lord Montagu added that his father's ambition was to record and celebrate motoring history for the nation, and that the charity's long-term aims stand the best chance of achievement in a new home. He affirmed his commitment to honoring his father's legacy and stated that Beaulieu will continue to develop as an attraction with cars remaining a key part of its identity.
The Trust will explore potential locations that can support its ambitions while safeguarding the collection and maintaining public access. Visitors to Beaulieu are not expected to see any changes during the search process.