TRANSPORT MUSEUMS

You'll discover fabulous automotive history at these top touring destinations, says David Motton

- David Motton

Britain's transport heritage really is second to none. Some of the very finest cars, buses, shipping and aircraft have been designed and manufactured in this country.

It's a long history of which we are rightly proud, and you'll find that it is celebrated in many specialist transport museums up and down the land. These are some of our favourites. We've put the emphasis on four-wheel travel, but other forms of transport are also represented.

These museums are in regions worthy of more attention than a day trip, so we have also suggested some nearby campsites as bases for exploration.

1 National Motor Museum, Beaulieu

For car fanatics, there are few museums in this country to compare with the National Motor Museum at Beaulieu.

There are more than 400 historically important vehicles on display here, charting the automotive industry's development from the earliest days of motoring, right up until the appearance of significant modern models.

Land-speed record machines such as Donald Campbell's Bluebird CN7 rub shoulders with F1 racers, vehicles from famous films and classic family saloons.

And motorhoming hasn't been forgotten! Look out for the Caravan and Motorhome Club Collection, which is said to be the most significant exhibition of material relating to the leisure vehicle industry throughout the country.

Set in the New Forest, there's so much to see once your visit to the museum is over. Head out to Exbury Gardens, visit Paultons Park, or tour by open-top bus. There are many places to stay nearby: Roundhill is three miles from Beaulieu.

nationalmotormuseum.org.uk

Stay at Roundhill Campsite

campinginthenewforest.com/campsites/roundhill

2 National Railway Museum, York