Hare off to Beaulieu for an Easter Egg-stravaganza

During the Easter holidays, 31 March-15 April, young visitors to Beaulieu can join in a Hare-Brained Easter Trail. Look for the hares, find the answers to the clues and collect a sweet treat at the end of the trail.

See exciting new exhibition, 'Bond In Motion',
showcasing 50 original vehicles from the James Bond films – including some that have never been seen on display before – and incredible vehicle action clips. It features some of the best loved and most iconic vehicles from the world famous film series, including the Lotus Esprit S1 ‘Wet Nellie’ from 'The Spy Who Loved Me', the Bede Acrostar Jet famously flown in 'Octopussy', and the Aston Martin V12 Vanquish with adaptive camouflage from 'Die Another Day'.

Also new for 2012 is the On-Screen Cars exhibition, where you can spot a number of TV and film favourites. Admire Del Boy’s Reliant Regal as featured in the BBC sitcom Only Fools and Horses and Mr Bean’s lime green Mini. Also on display is the flying Ford Anglia, used during the filming of Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets.

Take a look around the National Motor Museum’s stunning collection of over 250 vehicles, from world land speed record breakers to F1 racers, plus quirky motoring oddities such as a giant orange on wheels. Journey through 100 years of motoring in the museum’s pod-ride ‘Wheels’ and visit Jack Tucker’s Garage, which recreates the sights, sounds and smells of a typical country garage from the 1930s.

In World of Top Gear see actual vehicles created by presenters Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond and James May for some of their most ambitious challenges on the TV show over the years, including the four cars from the India Christmas Special 2011 which have recently joined the display.

Fans of the show will experience the Top Gear ‘Enormodrome’ which recreates the feel of the Top Gear studio. As well as regular features from the programme including the Cool Wall and Celebrity ‘Lap Time’ boards, visitors can watch an exclusive video presentation from behind-the-scenes at the Top Gear HQ with Jeremy, Richard and James plus clips from the show featuring the cars on display.

Stroll through the beautifully kept gardens, where in April there is a colourful mass of crocuses and daffodils that surround Palace House and Beaulieu Abbey. Over fifteen species of daffodils bloom at various times during the flowering season, ensuring a spectacular show lasting many weeks. Join in with Victorian Games on the lawns in front of the house and face painting inside.

Don’t miss Palace House’s new photographic exhibition, ‘Beaulieu Estate - a year in pictures’ which features photographs taken by the Beaulieu Camera Club, documenting every aspect of life on the Beaulieu Estate during 2011.

There’s a lot more for all the family at Beaulieu this Easter; take a ride on the high-level Monorail or see the sights from the replica open-topped London Bus. Budding drivers can get behind the wheel on the Mini Car Driving Circuit and younger visitors can get physical on Dipstick’s Mini Motor Play Trail with its Veteran Bus climbing frame, swings and Little Tykes ride-on-cars. Plus visit the Secret Army Exhibition and learn about the training of special agents at Beaulieu during WWII.

Posted in: Out of Wheels