English museum home to world-famous collection – as well as UK's oldest monorail

The Sun

27-04-2025

THE UK'S oldest monorail is based at a museum in the New Forest, between Southampton and Bournemouth.
The historic monorail, located at Beaulieu, stretches for a mile and allows guests to explore the museum from above.
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It even goes over the roof of the National Motor Museum.
As guests travel on the monorail, commentary tells the stories behind the different things they see on their journey.
Visitors can experience the monorail through regular services across the day.
Over 240,000 visitors take a trip on the Monorail each year.
Last year, the Monorail at Beaulieu celebrated 50 years since it opened in 1974.
Over the decades, visitors have enjoyed the travelling on the monorail at the museum.
Back in 1974, it was opened by The Wombles - the furry, secretive creatures created by Elizabeth Beresford.
However, it was not the first monorail at Beaulieu.
Before the 'Skytrain', there was a less permanent structure in place for the opening of the National Motor Museum in 1972.
This monorail featured battery operated mechanics, from milk floats and soon after it was launched, it was realised that something more permanent was needed.
Tiny English village named one of the most beautiful in the UK is home to huge motor museum
Butlin's was actually the thing that inspired a permanent monorail at the museum, as the resort at Skegness was home to the first commercial monorail system in the UK.
An agreement was made, whereby Beaulieu purchased the same mechanism to use for its 'Skytrain'.
The trains were recently named 'Monty' and 'Mary' and for the 50th anniversary, the monorail station underwent a refresh, with a new design on both the inside and outside of the carriages paying homage to the history of the ride.
Visitors can enjoy unlimited rides of the monorail during their visit to Beaulieu, as this is included in a general admission ticket.
There is even Beaulieu Monorail-themed merchandise in the museum's gift shop.
Beaulieu is also home to many other attractions for visitors to explore.
The National Motor Museum features some of the earliest motor carriages, as well as classic family saloons and Formula 1 cars.
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Visitors can also head to the Palace House, which was once the gatehouse of the medieval Beaulieu Abbey and has been home to the Montagu's since 1538.
The palace was extensively remodelled in the 19th century, making it into a Victorian country house, with Gothic features.
A number of rooms in the Palace have recently been refurbished and will open to the public over Easter.
Tickets to the full attraction, including the above and more such as the gardens, is £27 per adult or £15.50 per child, when booked in advance.
The closest train station is Brockenhurst, where trains from London regularly stop.
A new tour of three historic UK train stations was recently announced.
Plus, the 150-year-old British train station named one of Europe's best.