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Record-breaking lifesize lego caravan on show at Beaulieu

The lego caravan took over two months to build involving more than 1,000 man-hours

by Tom Leaning

A life-size caravan which holds the Guinness World Record as “the largest caravan built with interlocking plastic bricks” has gone on display in the National Motor Museum at Beaulieu.

Built by 12 model makers using 215,158 Lego bricks, this astonishing creation may use plastic components from the toy box but does almost everything a real caravan can do, with electric lights, running water and even seats that fold into a bed.

The brick brilliance continues inside, with incredible details such as eggs, mushrooms and tomatoes cooking in a frying pan on the two-hob burner, a vase full of flowers on the table, toothbrushes and a tube of toothpaste by the sink, a milk carton in the fridge and even a complete chess set.

Measuring 3.6 metres long, 2.2 metres tall and weighing in at 1200kg, the project took over two months to build and more than 1,000 man-hours. Layers of Lego bricks were built on top of a conventional caravan chassis, proving how strong and versatile the plastic pieces can be. Only standard off-the-shelf Lego pieces were used, with no custom-made components.

Visitors to the National Motor Museum can see up-close how this caravan stacks up. It was designed to mimic a classic T@B 320 teardrop-style caravan and created two years ago by LEGO building specialist Bright Bricks as part of the National Caravan Council’s Freedom to Go campaign.

The campaign aims to change the public perception of leisure vehicles, inspire and educate them about holidays in trailer tents, motorhomes, touring caravans, caravan holiday homes and lodges. It also provides inspiration and advice to decide what type of leisure vehicle to choose and to help plan a holiday adventure.

Following its appearance at this year’s Caravan, Camping and Motorhome Show at Birmingham’s NEC, the unique LEGO caravan is now on show next to the Caravan and Motorhome Club collection display in the National Motor Museum at Beaulieu.

Dan Connolly, the Freedom to Go Campaign Director, said: “Freedom to Go is delighted to have the LEGO caravan on display at the National Motor Museum, Beaulieu until October. The LEGO caravan was built with the intention of building awareness of leisure vehicles and the great adventures you can have with them.”

Entrance to Beaulieu includes admission to the National Motor Museum, the World of Top Gear, On Screen Cars, the 13th century Beaulieu Abbey and grounds and Palace House, which has been home to the Montagu family since 1538. Tickets can be bought in advance online or on the door. For tickets or more information see www.beaulieu.co.uk or call 01590 612345.