Brooklands Museum — Attraction in Elmbridge

Brooklands Museum – A Fascinating Journey Through British Motoring and Aviation History

Brooklands Museum is a gem for anyone with even a passing interest in motorsport, aviation, or British engineering. Set on the site of the world’s first purpose-built motor racing circuit, this unique museum offers a rich and immersive experience that brilliantly brings to life over a century of innovation and adventure.

From the moment you enter, there’s a palpable sense of history. The collection of vintage cars, motorbikes, and aircraft is both extensive and beautifully maintained. The volunteers and staff are passionate, knowledgeable, and eager to share stories—adding depth and colour to the exhibits. Highlights include the original Members’ Banking section of the race track and the beautifully restored aircraft hangars.

A real standout is the Concorde Experience. This guided tour takes visitors aboard G-BBDG, one of the prototype Concordes, and offers a fascinating glimpse into the glamour and cutting-edge technology of supersonic travel. With immersive audio-visual effects, you get to "experience" take-off and flight at twice the speed of sound, while learning about the engineering feats and design innovations that made Concorde an icon of its time. Sitting in the original cabin, you can almost imagine what it was like to cross the Atlantic in under three hours.

Another highlight for those intrigued by wartime ingenuity and experimental design is the Barnes Wallis Stratosphere Chamber. Built to test aircraft components under the extreme conditions of high-altitude flight, this fascinating relic of aerospace research is a testament to Wallis's visionary engineering. Standing inside the chamber, you can almost feel the urgency and creativity of the wartime years when cutting-edge science pushed boundaries in ways that continue to shape aviation today.

Adjacent to the main site is the London Bus Museum, included in the entry ticket, and well worth a visit in its own right. It houses the UK’s largest collection of historic London buses, from horse-drawn models to the iconic red Routemasters. The exhibits are beautifully restored and thoughtfully displayed, offering a nostalgic and informative look at how public transport evolved in the capital. Children (and adults!) can even climb aboard several of the buses, which adds a lovely hands-on dimension to the experience. The museum also does a great job of showing the social history behind the buses—from conductors’ uniforms to ticket machines and wartime service.

Brooklands doesn’t just focus on the machines, but also on the people—engineers, drivers, and pilots—who helped shape the modern world through speed and daring. The interactive displays and engaging exhibits make it ideal for all ages, and the site is wonderfully family-friendly, with plenty of space to explore.

The on-site café serves decent food in a relaxed setting, and the gift shop is well stocked with books, memorabilia, and gifts for transport enthusiasts.

All in all, Brooklands Museum is an outstanding day out—educational, entertaining, and full of surprises. A must-visit for anyone interested in Britain’s pioneering spirit in transport...

Right, then. After the disenchanting escapade at Mercedes World, our intrepid visitor traipsed over to the Brooklands Museum, a hop and a skip away, to soak in some real automotive and aeronautical history. Brooklands, a name that resonates with the thunderous echoes of Britain's motoring and aviation heritage, was the world's first purpose-built motor racing circuit, established in 1907. This hallowed ground birthed British motorsport, then became an aviation design and testing trailblazer, and saw over 18,000 aircraft of nearly 260 types take flight from its grounds between 1908 and 1987​​.

During the war years, Brooklands was a beehive of activity. It played a pivotal role in flying training both before and between the World Wars and was a vital cog in the British aircraft industry. Post-war, companies like Vickers and British Aerospace continued this legacy of innovation​​. The site's transformation into a museum showcases an awe-inspiring array of motoring and aviation exhibits, including the legendary Concorde and other storied aircraft like the Vickers Viscount and the Vanguard​​​​.

What really sets the Brooklands Museum apart is not just the exhibits themselves, but the stories they tell and the people who tell them. Our visitor, a self-professed non-museum goer, was swept up in the passion and knowledge of the volunteers. The Concorde, a marvel of engineering and a symbol of a bygone era of luxury air travel, wasn't just a static display; it was being lovingly maintained and even improved upon by a group of former engineers, a testament to the enduring legacy of these machines​​.

This isn't just a museum; it's a living, breathing homage to Britain's rich history in motor racing and aviation. From airworthy replicas of pioneering aircraft to exhibitions that breathe life into the stories of the past, Brooklands is a time capsule of human ingenuity and determination​​​​​​. The experience of wandering these halls, where history is palpable, is far from the lackluster tour of Mercedes World. It's an enlightening journey that offers far more than just a glimpse into the past; it's a dive into the heart of British motoring and aviation legacy.

So, in summary, while Mercedes World may have been a bit of a damp squib, Brooklands Museum emerges as a gleaming beacon of historical fascination, proving that sometimes, the best experiences come when you least expect them. It's not just about old cars and planes; it's about the spirit of an era that dared to dream big and soar even higher. And that, my friends, is something truly worth every...

I recently had the privilege of participating in the Silver Concorde Experience at Brooklands Museum, and words can hardly capture the sheer magnificence of this encounter with aerospace history.

The moment I stepped foot into the museum I was greeted by Mary, the Event Manager, who took us to the Clubhouse for tea and cake. We were then introduced to the team of ex-Concorde pilots Harry Linfield and Tony Heald, whose expertise and stories added an incredible depth to the experience.

The highlight was undoubtedly stepping aboard the Concorde itself, a marvel of engineering and a testament to human innovation. Sipping champagne while listening to firsthand accounts of flights and technical intricacies from the pilots was a surreal and unforgettable moment.

But the thrills didn't end there! The simulator session was an absolute delight. Sitting side by side with an ex-Concorde pilot Tony, I had the exhilarating opportunity to navigate the virtual skies of Hong Kong, guided expertly through the controls and manoeuvres.

Mary ensured the entire event was flawlessly orchestrated, seamlessly blending education, history, and pure excitement. Every detail, from the tour to the simulator session, was meticulously planned, creating a day that I will cherish forever. It's an experience that transcends mere description – it's an immersion into the legacy of aviation.

For anyone with even a passing interest in aviation or those seeking a once-in-a-lifetime experience, I cannot recommend the Silver Concorde Experience at Brooklands Museum enough. It's not just a visit; it's a journey through time and innovation that will leave an indelible mark on your memory.

Thank you to Mary and the rest of the incredible team at Brooklands Museum for making this day an absolute highlight in my life's adventures. It's a special memory I'll treasure for...