Motopia – A New Beaulieu Treat

Museums can be, let’s not beat around the bush, a boring affair. Happily though, the good people at Beaulieu know that all too well. That’s why it’s always been and continues to be a truly excellent venue. Not only is there the museum itself, there are also myriad shows and events and autojumbles to engage with. It’s a true destination for any petrolhead, and thanks to the latest inclusion of Motopia, it has got even better.

Jon Murden, Chief executive of the National Motor Museum says, “Concept cars, visions of the future at the start of the 20th century and ideas on how we travel and power our vehicles will be on display, and we’ll be encouraging visitors to explore ideas for an ideal way of living and getting about. It’s the first of a series of exhibitions at the Museum that will focus on the future as well as the past of automobility.”

“We’ll explore how radical motoring concepts from the past that remain relevant today have influenced what we ride and drive, the nature of our towns and cities, the way we work, shop and socialise.”

The exhibition will have four key themes; vehicle visions will look at car design concepts, propulsion asking how our vehicles are powered – particularly timely when there is a resurgence of electric vehicles, architectural dreams which will include science fiction visions, and urban solutions showing how vehicles have constantly been re-imagined to suit our needs and surroundings.

Invited guests were given a preview of the exhibition on Friday. At the event, Ben Taylor of exhibition sponsors Select Car Leasing spoke of their pride at being associated with the exhibition at a time when the vehicle leasing industry is currently undergoing a radical transition into electric mobility. Lord Montagu of Beaulieu described how his grandfather, John, Lord Montagu, was a visionary and predicted many of the developments of motoring and societal change as a result, and Ben Swann, the National Motor Museum’s Head of Learning, described how the idea for the exhibition emerged from an ambition to explore and interpret how radical motoring concepts from the past, that remain relevant today, have influenced today what we ride and drive, the nature of our towns and cities, the way we work, shop and socialise.

From what we can see, this right here is how these things should be done. It’s immersive, it shows the historical and social impact the humble car has and continues to have on us. It’s a fascinating premise, and one that any car fan should be sure to visit. The event as a whole runs until the 24th of April 2024, though if you’re quick, you can take the kids to Motopia? Are we there yet? A bespoke sub exhibition designed to engage and excite the kids. Check out the Beaulieu website for more information.