Beaulieu Motor Museum to host Bailey and Caravan Club exhibit

by Chris Jefferies
Caravan holidays have been around in some form or another for well over 100 years now, so it’s high time that this great pastime was formally commemorated in a museum.
Thankfully, the National Motor Museum at Beaulieu has stepped into the breach by announcing a new permanent exhibit with the help of Bailey of Bristol and the Caravan Club.
The Hampshire attraction has worked with the Club to host events about caravanning since 2006, but the new exhibit is the first permanent fixture at the popular museum.
Developed in partnership with Bailey Caravans, this unique collection of memorabilia, photographs and film footage dates back to the 1880s and some of the items are on public display for the very first time.
History buffs will surely enjoy learning about the origins of caravanning, which date back to the Victorian era in the form of horse-drawn caravans.
Moving into the 20th Century and visitors can also learn about the formation of the Caravan Club in 1907 and look around an Eccles caravan from 1926.
The exhibit also covers modern developments, such as the pioneering Bailey Alu-Tech construction method, which was launched in 2009.
Lawrence Bate, director of marketing at the Caravan Club, said: “The National Motor Museum is a treasure-trove of motoring history. The Club is delighted that the museum has chosen to showcase the origins of this wonderful leisure pursuit as a permanent fixture.”
A third off for Club members
Stephen Munn, commercial director at the National Motor Museum added that the exhibit has already proved to be highly popular, particularly among those who are visiting the nearby New Forest for a caravanning holiday.
In order to encourage Caravan Club members to visit Beaulieu, the Museum is offering a third off for anyone holding a valid Club membership card, plus three guests.
Tickets are priced at £20 per adult, £18.50 for seniors and £52.50 for a family ticket. The Museum is open every day from 10am to 5pm, with late openings to 6pm during the summer months.
Other items on display at Beaulieu include stunning Bentleys from the 1930s, powerful Formula One cars from the 1990s, and some of the crazy contraptions dreamt up by BBC One’s Top Gear.
For more information about the Caravan Club’s permanent exhibit at Beaulieu, visit the National Motor Museum website.