Welcome
Beaulieu. where marvellous days out are enjoyed, together.
One ticket includes The National Motor Musem, Palace House, Little Beaulieu, Beaulieu Abbey, World of Top Gear and more!
Level access
Access with steps
Hearing
Visual
General
Getting here
Travel by public transport
The London to Weymouth train passes regularly through Brockenhurst, which is the closest main line station to Beaulieu. There is a taxi rank at the station and the cost of a journey to Beaulieu by taxi is approx £20.
Travel by taxi
Wilts & Dorset buses have a limited service between Hythe and Lymington which only runs on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday mornings. It drops visitors either at the Museum entrance or in Beaulieu village depending upon the route. Please phone 0845 0727 093 – the Wilts & Dorset advisors will help plan your route. (0830-1700 Mon - Fri) or visit morebus.co.uk. Please note this service stops at lunchtime.
Parking
Arrival
Path to main entrance
Main entrance
Getting around inside
Ticket/ information desk
Visitor Reception
Things to See and Do
The National Motor Museum
The National Motor Museum has stone flooring and is generally well lit. Entrance to the Museum is through double glass doors. In the summer months these doors are usually fixed open. The museum has three floor levels and a series of exhibition booths with access available to each via ramps and lifts with fully trained staff on hand to assist. There is a lowered information desk inside the museum with discrete hearing loops installed. Team members offer a range of tours, one being a Touch Tour for customers with visual impairments.
This tour allows visitors to handle objects and the surfaces of vehicles – ideally these would need to be booked in advance.
Palace House
The lower level of Palace House is accessible to wheelchair users but due to the historic nature of the property we regret that there is no lift to provide access to the upper floor. The staircase has a handrail on one side. There is a short film about the upstairs rooms which can be requested from the guides. Palace House is carpeted throughout and is generally well lit with natural light and overhead lighting on exhibitions. On the lower level of Palace House there are two steps down to the dining area and kitchen shop. Handrails are available but staff will be happy to walk visitors around to the private entrance to allow access without stairs if requested.
World of Top Gear
The Top Gear enormodrome recreates the look of the Top Gear studio, with a twelve minute film running at intervals throughout the day. Access is via a level, paved walkway. The entrance doors are wide enough for most wheelchairs to pass through, although the larger exit doors can be used as an alternative means of access if necessary. The dome is enclosed with no natural light, but adequate internal lighting is provided as visitors enter and exit the area. During the showing of the film the lighting level is reduced in order to allow screens to be more easily viewed. A hearing loop is installed and seats are available for visitors who are unable to stand for the duration of the film. The Challenge Gallery has a level, plastic pathway with overhead lighting. The World of Top Gear Test Track Challenge features miniature remote controlled vehicles which can be driven around a small track. The area surrounding the track is tarmac. The cars are controlled from fixed-height consoles on the outside of the track with one set at a lower height than the others. The Top Gear simulator ride can only be accessed via a short flight of steps. A handrail is available and taller visitors are required to bend over in order to enter the simulator. The ride is not recommended for pregnant ladies or those with back or heart complaints.
Secret Army Exhibition
There is a very slight change in level from the paved area outside the exhibition to the building itself, however once inside the exhibition benefits from good lighting and level access throughout.
Beaulieu Abbey
The Abbey and the Domus exhibition is a grade one listed building, dating back to 1204. The exhibition documents the life of the Cistercian monks. There is an accessible lavatory within the Abbey. The paved lower levels of the Abbey, including the Cloister, are accessible for all when following the sign-posted wheelchair route. There are some smaller additional routes that lead around the ruins – the pathways are compact gravel. The Domus is above the Abbey Exhibition and can only be accessed by using the stone staircase and handrail. Once upstairs, the room is large and open with displays of impressive Wall Hangings that depict scenes from the history of the Abbey. If customers are unable to access the Domus because of the stairs, there is a book with images taken from the display.
Monorail
The Monorail gives a mile long, bird’s eye view of the site and through the museum. The ride features a descriptive commentary.
There are two stations. The first is within the World Of Top Gear area; the second is at the opposite end of the site, near Palace House. As the Monorail involves a complex evacuation procedure, the ride is only accessible to visitors who are able to climb the stairs to the platform unaided. If visitors are unable to access the Monorail, there is a short DVD of the ride with commentary at the museum Information Desk.
Veteran Bus
The Veteran Bus circles the site stopping at two bus stops. The bus is accessed via two steps with handrails. Wheelchairs can be taken on the bus if they fold down.
Public toilet
Brabazon Restaurant Toilets
Shop
VR Gift Shop
Place to eat and drink
Brabazon Restaurant
There is ramped access into the Brabazon Restaurant which is visible and clearly signposted on the left when leaving Visitor Reception. There are power assisted doors at this entrance. The restaurant is large with plenty of space to navigate around the tables. All service points are set at a suitable height for most users. The floor is smooth and level throughout. The area is well lit with natural and overhead lighting. Staff will be happy to assist in carrying goods and trays if asked. There is an accessible lavatory on the main restaurant level. Staff hold a RADAR key for access. There is also an accessible lavatory on the lower level which is accessed from outside the building; this does not require a key.
Getting around outside
Little Beaulieu
Customer care support
Motorised mobility scooters are available for hire at no cost.
Emergency evacuation procedures
Customer care support