Beaulieu National Motor Museum, Brockenhurst

As a couple, my husband I visited here some 11 years ago and had a lovely, memorable time. Now as a married couple with a car-crazy five year old, it seemed the natural choice for a day out whilst staying in the New Forest this week. I couldn't believe the prices to get in - almost 18.00 per adult and 10.00 for our son. The blessing was that our 3 year old was free to get in. I believe that if this was ALL you had to pay for the rest of the day, then it would be money well spent. Don't get me wrong, Beaulieu has a lot to offer, but some of the attractions are available only if you have deep pockets. My son loved the 'race the stig' remote controlled (coin operated!) cars, and the Top Gear experience (particuarly the simulator which was another 4.00 per person...or 15.00 for a family ticket). The go-karts (3.00 per person - even if there was an adult and a child sharing one kart - so an additional 12.00 for the 4 of us) were talked about for hours after we left. So even before lunch we'd managed to spend almost 71.00... The attractions that were included in the price that we used were the motor museum, the monorail, the excellent kids' playground and some little battery powered cars and trucks that the kids whizzed about on and loved. The monorail was brilliant - with two kids in tow we opted not to tour the house or gardens as they would probably get bored, so it was a good way of having a look at the grounds and the house. The motor museum was good (not the best we've been to, I would rate Haynes and Donnington as better) but our son found Lewis Hamilton's old McLaren which made his day, and Mr Bean's mini also went down a storm. We ate lunch at the on-site restaurant. I guess that as visitors only have the option of taking their own food or eating at the on site restaurant, they can get away with hiking up the prices. Four pre-packed sandwiches, four packets of crisps, a drink for the kids to share and a bottle of Pepsi each for hubby and I set us back another 25.00.... can you BELIEVE that!? I can't imagine how much the hot food that they served cost. Word to the wise, take your own lunch. On the plus side, Beaulieu is reasonably dog friendly, with a place in the shade with a water bowl under the motor museum to tie your four-legged friend up whilst you go inside the buildings where dogs are not allowed. The toilets were good and clean, and I noticed a Baby Change room next to the main toilets. I think there are a couple sets of toilets across the site which is always useful and saves a lot of walking. The main toilets are located under the restaurant. A good day out, but as a family on a budget camping holiday in the New Forest I could have found a thousand things to better spend the best part of a hundred pounds on.

There is so much to do here - and we did loads! The activities are endless, the exhibitions are wonderful and if you're lucky, you might get to see some of the vintage cars being brought to life! The grounds are beautiful, and not too extensive to walk around comfortably. Most things are in close proximity to each other. My son is autistic, and rarely shows 'real' joy anywhere. He stunned me at Beaulieu by trying things he would usually run away from, and his excitement and delight were plain to see. I had never seen him like this before. Beaulieu was a truly magical place for him. There is lots to do for children of all ages, plenty of space to run around, and lots of places to picnic. The staff members are really friendly. The attractions change frequently (when we went, they had a Top Gear exhibition which was fab!) so it's a great place to come back to - if a little on the expensive side. However, once you're in, the attractions are free.

After a soggy camping experience, we were tired, wet and looking for somewhere to spend a Saturday during iffy weather. We took our son (nearly 4) to Beaulieu as we had a 2-for-1 voucher and my son was free, making it good value for money. He loved the monorail which is included in the price and seeing all the attractions from above, helping us decide what to do first. The veteran double decker bus also takes you around the grounds, and kids love sitting on the open air top deck and waving to passers-by. You can take picnics (benches provided, or choose a lawn) but there is a cafe that does hot drinks, cold and hot food, and a pick-your-own kids lunchbox starting at £3.95 for 4 items (various choices, all tempting). The motor museum building itself wasn't ofmuch interest to my son but the 'wheels' tour that takes you through an exhibition inside a rotating 'pod' was great fun. There is a fabulous playground area, a go-cart track, and a James Bond themed exhibition featuring cars and memorabilia from the bond films, which drew quite a crowd. We enjoyed a walk around the grounds of the house itself, looking at sculptures, running around, and looking at the vintage cars and a chap on a pennyfarthing roaming around. This was a perfect way to dry off, pass the time, have some fresh air but shelter inside exhibitions and the museum or cafe when it got wet. My son loved it and didn't want to leave!

It was my hubby's idea to go here in a half term week where we had all chosen something to do and initially I was mortified. Couldn't imagine anything more dull! However, I was pleasantly surprised. Beaulieu is built next to the ancestral house and the ruins of the original Abbey that stood here before, so there is plenty to appeal to non-motor sport fans. The site is conveniently split into 2 parts - so we spent the morning doing the cars, followed by lunch in the main restaurant, followed by a ride in an old omnibus down to the main house and abbey. As a keen veg grower I particularly enjoyed the peace of the hedge vegetable garden. We went at Halloween and the curators to the old house were telling stories of the ghosts that haunted the place, there was face painting (extra £) for the kids and arts and crafts too. Difficult to pinpoint a negative although the food in the restaurant was a bit pricey and the drink selection for kids not great.

The National Car Museum has over 250 vehicles. You can see Donald Campbell’s Bluebird, F1 cars, Rolls Royces, Ferraris, vintage cars, Austin Minis and Del Boy Trotter’s van. Children will enjoy climbing onto a Routemaster bus, walking around the re-created 1930s garage and travelling on the Wheels ride. The World of Top Gear exhibition houses vehicles from various challenges and the James Bond Exhibition has several cars and props from the films. The monorail ride is fun, especially when it travels through the roof of the museum. You can also travel on a vintage bus, visit the abbey, stately home and gardens. There’s more than enough to fill the day. The restaurant is large and the food good quality.

World famous motor museum with over 250 vehicles, from early classics to F1 racers and Land Speed Record Breakers, plus Jack Tucker’s, recreating the sights, sounds & smells of a 1930s country garage. New for 2010 ProMotion, an exhibition showcasing vehicles shaped like the products they promote. Also, World of Top Gear, with film clips and cars from the presenters most ambitious challenges. Added attractions include Palace House, the Montagu family home since 1538, 13th century Beaulieu Abbey ruins and monastic life exhibition and beautiful grounds and gardens. Ride on the high-level Monorail, Veteran Bus and ‘Wheels’ pod-ride. Budding drivers can get in the driving seat in fun mini motorised vehicles while younger visitors can get physical on the Mini Motor Play Trail. Don’t miss the James Bond Exhibition with genuine cars from the films and Secret Army, telling the story of wartime Beaulieu. Open 10am-5pm.