Brooklands Museum

Brooklands, built in 1907 by Hugh F. Locke King, was the world’s first purpose-built racing circuit and a pioneer site for British motorsport and aviation. It set numerous records and became one of Britain’s earliest aerodromes, attracting aviation pioneers before World War I. Throughout the 20th century, Brooklands was a major center for aircraft design and manufacturing, producing 18,600 aircraft of nearly 260 types between 1908 and 1987.

The museum spans 30 acres (12 ha) of the historic 1907 motor-racing circuit and features four listed buildings: the Brooklands Automobile Racing Club Clubhouse and Members' Hill Restaurant from 1907, the 1911 Flight Ticket Office, and a 1940 Bellman aircraft hangar. Preserved parts of the site include the 1937 Campbell Circuit, the 1907 Finishing Straight, Members' Banking (the steepest section of the racing circuit), the 1909 Test Hill, and a WWII 'Bofors' gun tower, all part of the Brooklands Scheduled Monument, extended in 2002. The site was designated a Conservation Area in 1989.

The museum has aircraft and racing cars in it's collection. A part of the prewar racing track is still visible. Vickers Wellington 1A "R for Robbie", recovered from Loch Ness, is probably the juwel in the crown of the collection.

The museum has a sculpted bust of Sir Barnes Wallis and a "bouncing bomb" in its collection as part of its permanent exhibition "Inventing the Future: The Innovations of Sir Barnes Wallis".

World Wars Collection:

Avro 504K (1975 replica)
De Havilland DH82A Tiger Moth II (1943)
Hawker Fury I (replica)
Hawker Hurricane Mk.IIA (1940)
Merryweather Fire/Crash Tender (1940)
Royal Aircraft Factory SE5a (1996 Replica)
Sopwith Camel F1 (1977 replica)
Vickers Vimy (1994 replica)
Vickers Wellington Mk1A (1939)

For current visiting hours, please visit the website of the museum.

Do you have more information about this location? Inform us!

Source

• Text: TracesofWar
• Photos: Arjan Vrieze

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