Brooklands Museum, located in Weybridge, Surrey, England, is a unique and historic museum dedicated to the development of motorsport, aviation, and the early days of aeronautical and automotive engineering. It is situated on the site of the Brooklands Circuit, the world’s first purpose-built motor racing circuit, which opened in 1907.
Brooklands is not just a museum but a living history of pioneering engineering achievements, offering visitors a fascinating look into the development of both aviation and motorsport over the last century.
Brooklands Museum
+44 1932 857381
Summer
- Daily 10:00 – 17:00
Winter
- Daily 10:00 – 16:00
Admission fee
Gift shop
They are off the B374, just a few minutes from Junction 10 of the M25 and the A3 London to Portsmouth trunk road. Leave the A3 at the Painshill junction (A245) and follow the brown “Brooklands Museum” signs.
The nearest railway station is Weybridge (less than a mile away) and is on the Woking and Waterloo line.
Aircraft collection
| G-AACA
G-ROEI XN586/CF-91 G-ASYD G-BBDG G_ADPJ – G-ARRM (G-LOTI) 2 XV741 ZA250/G-VTOL ZA101 WP921 K5673 XF314 XF368/N E-421 Z2389/XR-T XP984 G-MJPB G-ADRY F5475 – ATH B7270 3 G-CGRM/P8088 WK198 XD816 WF372/A – A40-AB G-ARVM G-APEJ G-APEP G-AGRU G-EBED BAPC.420 NX71MY G-APIM G-AZLP XT575 N2980/R G-BJHV – | Avro 504
Avro Roe Biplane BAC Jet Provost T.3A BAC One-Eleven Srs475 AM BAC Concorde 202 BAC Drone 2 BAC TRS-2 EMU (cockpit section only) Beagle B.206 X Bleriot XI (replica) BAe Harrier GR.1 BAe Harrier T.52 BAe Hawk 100 de Havilland Chipmunk T.10 fuselage) Hawker Fury I Hawker Hunter F.51 Hawker Hunter F.51 (fuselage and tail) Hawker Hunter F.51 Hawker Hurricane IIa Hawker Siddeley Kestrel P.1127 Mk.1 Manuel Ladybird Mignet HM.14 Flea Royal Aircraft Factory SE.5A (replica no wings) Santos-Dumont Demoiselle Slingsby T.15 Gull III Sopwith Camel Sopwith Tabloid Floatplane (replica) Supermarine Spitfire Mk.IIa Supermarine Swift F.4 (fuselage with tail) Vickers Valiant BK.1 Vickers Varsity T.1 Vickers VC.10 (front) Vickers VC.10 Srs 1103 Vickers VC.10 Srs 1101 Vickers VC953C Merchantman (cockpit) Vickers VC953C Merchantman Vickers Viking 1A Vickers Viking Amphibian IV (replica) Vickers Vimy (cockpit) Vickers Vimy Vickers Viscount 806 Vickers Viscount 813 (cockpit) Vickers Viscount 837 Vickers Wellington 1A Voison Biplane Willow Wren |
There are 30 aircraft on the site at Brooklands reflecting the full history of aviation at Brooklands over the past Century.
Overview Brooklands Museum:
- Location: Weybridge, Surrey, England.
- Historical Significance: Brooklands is widely considered the birthplace of British motorsport and aviation. The circuit played a key role in the development of both industries and was a testing ground for early aviation pioneers.
- Established: The museum was founded in 1991 and occupies the historic site of the Brooklands Circuit, which was active from 1907 to 1939 and later used during WWII.
Exhibits and Highlights Brooklands Museum:
1. Motorsport History:
- Brooklands Racing Circuit: The museum is located on the original site of the Brooklands Motor Racing Circuit, which was the first purpose-built race track in the world.
- The circuit hosted motor races, motorcycle races, and aviation events, including groundbreaking speed records.
- Visitors can walk around parts of the original track and see how it was used for both pre-WWII and post-WWII racing.
- Historic Cars: The museum boasts a diverse collection of classic cars, many of which raced at Brooklands, including:
- W.O. Bentley’s racing cars, which made history on the track.
- Mercedes-Benz Silver Arrows, used in motorsport’s early days.
- The Napier-Railton, a record-breaking car that achieved the highest speed at Brooklands in 1933.
- Motorcycle Racing History: The museum also displays motorcycles from Brooklands’ racing heritage, including early motorbikes and those used for speed records.
2. Aviation History:
- Aircraft Collection: Brooklands played a key role in aviation history, being the site of several important aircraft manufacturers, including Vickers, Hawker Siddeley, and Supermarine (creator of the Spitfire).
- The museum houses full-scale models and original examples of iconic aircraft, including:
- The Vickers Vimy, the first aircraft to make a successful transatlantic flight in 1919.
- Hawker Hurricane and Supermarine Spitfire models, both pivotal aircraft in WWII.
- The museum also features displays on the development of aviation technology and the role of Brooklands in the aircraft industry.
- The museum houses full-scale models and original examples of iconic aircraft, including:
3. Concorde:
- The museum is home to the Concorde 101, a significant exhibit showcasing the supersonic passenger aircraft that revolutionized air travel in the 1970s.
- Visitors can walk through the Concorde cockpit and cabins, exploring the history of the aircraft, its engineering, and its legacy as a symbol of innovation.
- The museum also covers the history of Concorde’s development at the British Aircraft Corporation (BAC), based at Brooklands.
4. Engineering and Innovation:
- Brooklands was a hub for engineering innovations in both aviation and motorsport. The museum houses exhibits dedicated to the engineering marvels that were developed and tested here.
- Visitors can learn about the technological advancements that led to the development of aerodynamics, automotive engines, and aircraft design.
Significance:
Brooklands Museum is a key site for anyone interested in the history of motorsport, aviation, and engineering. With its unique setting on the original Brooklands racetrack, the museum provides a hands-on experience of both the aeronautical and automotive innovations that shaped the 20th century.
Pictures João Amado