The Goldfinger Aston Martin Db5 Returns To Bond In Motion

Turkish Merchant's bike & Turkish police bike from Skyfall

The National Motor Museum at Beaulieu is pleased to announce the return of the most iconic of all Bond cars, the GOLDFINGER Aston Martin DB5, to its BOND IN MOTION exhibition.

This stunning original film car, a must-see for Bond fans and classic car enthusiasts everywhere, will be on display for a limited time only, so if you don’t want to miss out, visit Beaulieu before the end of the Easter holidays to see this elegant motor showcased alongside 49 other vehicles used in the Bond films.

The car has been kindly loaned to the exhibition by the Louwman Museum, Holland, and returns just as an exciting new exhibit has been revealed. Joining the three SKYFALL vehicles currently on display – two Honda CRF250R motorcycles and the Land Rover Defender 110 – is a third scale miniature model of the Aston Martin DB5 which was used in filming SKYFALL.

Parahawk, Jaguar XKR and Aston Martin V8

BOND IN MOTION is the world’s largest exhibition of original James Bond vehicles ever staged, and features a whole range of vehicles from the films, including cars, boats, motorbikes, sleds, jets and many more.

Other star exhibits include the gadget-laden Jaguar XKR driven by Bond villain Zao in DIE ANOTHER DAY, the Aston Martin DBS from QUANTUM OF SOLACE, the Bede Acrostar jet famously flown in OCTOPUSSY, and the BMW 750iL from TOMORROW NEVER DIES, plus iconic vehicle action clips from the James Bond films. This exclusive, one-off exhibition will remain open to visitors until 5th January 2014.

Lotus Esprit 'Wet Nellie' from The Spy Who Loved Me

BOND IN MOTION can be seen as part of a visit to the whole Beaulieu attraction, which includes the National Motor Museum, World of Top Gear, Beaulieu Abbey, Palace House and the gardens. Beaulieu is open daily from 10am – 5pm.

For more information please visit www.beaulieu.co.uk or telephone 01590 612345.

February Fun At Beaulieu! 16th – 24th February 2013

Beaulieu becomes a secret agent training ground once again for Bond-themed February Half Term.
 

Aston Martin DB5 and Rolls-Royce Phantom III

During February half-term week, from 16th – 24th February, come to Beaulieu, home of the world’s largest ever James Bond vehicle exhibition, BOND IN MOTION, and test out your spy skills to see if you have what it takes to be the next 007.

In the National Motor Museum, pit your driving ability against others on a Bond style, eight-lane Scalextric track. Race round in the fastest time possible for the opportunity to win a fantastic Scalextric prize.
Test your knowledge of the world’s most famous special agent, James Bond, with our special half term quiz trail as you enter BOND IN MOTION, which displays 50 original vehicles from the James Bond films. Follow the trail around the exhibition and exercise your code-cracking skills for an opportunity to win a Bond goody bag. See some of the best-loved and most iconic vehicles, including the Lotus Esprit S1, affectionately nicknamed ‘Wet Nellie’ from The Spy Who Loved Me, the Crocodile Submarine from Octopussy and the Aston Martin Vanquish with adaptive camouflage seen in Die Another Day.

Crocodile Mini-Sub from Octopussy

Don’t miss the Secret Army Exhibition, which tells the story of Beaulieu’s history as a training ground for secret agents during WWII. The Special Operations Executive (SOE) trained agents at a number of large country houses scattered across the Beaulieu Estate before they left to work with Resistance groups in occupied Europe.

Learn about the instructors, secret agents and unsung heroes of the SOE, their training and secret missions. See some real-life spy gadgets on display which wouldn’t look out of place in Q’s laboratory, watch a film explaining how the ‘Finishing School’ operated in total secrecy for four years, and make and break your own secret codes using the cipher wheel.

See the National Motor Museum’s collection of over 250 vehicles, from the iconic World Land Speed Record Breaker, Bluebird CN7, to the quirky and instantly recognisable ‘orange on wheels’ Mini Outspan. There are historic racing cars, modern rally cars and the latest F1 machines as well as family cars from every motoring era on show.

Walk into the World of Top Gear, displaying actual vehicles created by presenters Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond and James May for some of their most ambitious challenges on the TV show over the years.The latest creation to join the display is Top Gear’s ‘Bond car on a budget’ Lotus Excel submarine car from the 50 Years of Bond Cars special.

Enter the‘Enormodrome’, which aims to recreate the feel of the Top Gear studio, to see regular features from the programme including the Cool Wall and Celebrity ‘Lap Time’ boards. Plus you can watch an exclusive video presentation from behind-the-scenes at the Top Gear HQ with Jeremy, Richard and James, and clips from the show featuring the cars on display.

Explore the grounds by taking a ride on the high-level Monorail, which runs straight through the roof of the museum, or by hopping on the open-topped replica London bus.

Budding drivers can get in the driving seat on Dipstick’s Driving Circuit in fun mini motorised vehicles or drive remote controlled cars in The Stig Driving Challenge. Younger visitors can get physical on the Mini Motor PlayTrail with its Veteran Bus climbing frame, swings and Little Tykes ride-on-cars.

Visit Palace House, home of the Montagu family since 1538 and stroll through the beautiful gardens and take a look inside Beaulieu Abbey, a 13th century Cistercian monastery.

Beaulieu is open from 10am – 5pm every day. For more information please visit www.beaulieu.co.uk or telephone 01590 612345.

Outstanding Anniversary Year For Beaulieu

Aston Martin DB5 and Rolls-Royce Phantom III

In its 60th anniversary year, more than 400,000 visitors from all over the world have visited the Beaulieu attraction, giving it its best visitor numbers in over 15 years.  A big part of this success has been the opening of BOND IN MOTION, an exclusive exhibition, the largest of its kind staged anywhere in the world, featuring 50 original vehicles from the James Bond films, including some of the best loved and most iconic. 
Beaulieu’s Commercial Director, Stephen Munn said: “Beaulieu was one of the first stately homes in England to open its doors to visitors in the early 1950s and I am delighted that in its 60th anniversary year it continues to flourish. The attraction endeavours to offer something for all ages and tastes and its latest exhibition BOND IN MOTION has brought a whole new audience to the attraction since its opening at the beginning of the year.”

Record breakers

It has recently been announced that BOND IN MOTION, originally scheduled to run for just one year, has been extended and will be continuing throughout 2013. The exhibition has been brought right up to date with four vehicles from the 23rd and latest Bond film SKYFALL; the Land Rover Defender 110 and two Honda CRF250R motorcycles that feature in the opening sequence as well as the most iconic of all Bond cars, the Aston Martin DB5.

Beaulieu International Autojumble

Beaulieu’s achievements during 2012 have been recognised with nominations for a number of industry awards.  It is a finalist in four categories of the Beautiful South Awards for Excellence; Large Attraction, Access for All Tourism, Tourism Event of the Year, for the International Autojumble, and its in-house caterers, Leith’s, for Business Tourism. In the Hudson’s Heritage Awards Beaulieu has been nominated in the Best Attraction category and Best Event category for Supercar Showdown.
In addition, Beaulieu has been shortlisted in the Museum or Collection of the Year category for the National Motor Museum and Motoring Event of the Year for the International Autojumble in the annual Octane magazine International Historic Motoring Awards.

The results will be announced at awards ceremonies at the end of November.

Make Beaulieu Your Halloween Haunt During October Half Term: 27th October – 5th November 2012

Beaulieu is reputed to be one of Britain’s most haunted places and ghosts have often been seen and heard in its 13th Century Abbey and at Palace House, home of the Montagu family since 1538.  This October Half Term, 27th October – 5th November, Halloween descends on Beaulieu with plenty of themed activities to enjoy. Hear Spooky Stories from the costumed guides in Palace House, take a lucky dip in the Witches Cauldron and be given a Gruesome Face Painting.

All children who get into the ‘spirit’ of the holidays and come to Beaulieu in Halloween fancy dress will receive special half price admission.

In the National Motor Museum, follow the Halloween Trail and see some of the 250 vehicles on show, from early motor cars to Land Speed Record Breakers.

Don’t miss the museum’s exciting exhibition, BOND IN MOTION, displaying 50 of the best-loved and most iconic vehicles from the James Bond films. The most recent additions include two Honda CRF250R motorcycles, one modified to look like a Turkish merchant’s bike and the other, a Turkish police bike, plus a Land Rover Defender 110, all of which have recently arrived from the set of Skyfall, the 23rd instalment in the Bond film series, due to open nationwide in the UK on 26th October. These three vehicles were used in the opening sequence, shot in Istanbul and Adana, Turkey.

Have a ride on ‘Wheels’, a pod ride through 100 years of motoring history and take a trip on the high-level Beaulieu Moan-o-rail which passes through the roof of the Motor Museum.

Enter ‘On Screen Cars’ to admire vehicle stars from TV and film, including Mr Bean’s lime green Mini, Del Boy’s Trotter Van and Harry Potter’s ‘flying’ Ford Anglia, used in the filming of Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets.

Become a part of the world’s greatest car show with Beaulieu’s ‘World of Top Gear’.  Enter the Top Gear Enormodrome to see actual cars from some of the presenters’ most ambitious challenges, hear the stories behind them and enjoy clips of some of the best Top Gear moments.

Beaulieu is open daily from 10am – 5pm. For more information, please visit www.beaulieu.co.uk or telephone 01590 612345.

Celebrate Global James Bond Day At Beaulieu Friday 5th October 2012

In celebration of Global James Bond Day, Friday 5th October 2012, why not make a visit to BOND IN MOTION at the National Motor Museum, Beaulieu? This exclusive exhibition of 50 original James Bond vehicles is the largest of its kind ever staged, and includes some of the most iconic vehicles from the James Bond films.

As part of the day-long series of celebrations taking place all around the world on 5th October, Beaulieu will be presenting the first 50 individuals, couples or families* who purchase a Beaulieu admission ticket and enter the attraction on Global James Bond Day a Bond themed gift. So make sure you arrive for the 10am opening for your chance to receive a gift and enjoy a day at the unique BOND IN MOTION exhibition and the wider Beaulieu attraction!

BOND IN MOTION marks the 50th year of James Bond films. It features a whole range of original vehicles used in the films – some which have never been publicly displayed before – including cars, boats, motorbikes, jets and many more.

See the Aston Martin DB5 from GoldenEye, the instantly recognisable Lotus S1 ‘submarine’ car from The Spy Who Loved Me, affectionately referred to as ‘Wet Nellie’, the Crocodile Submarine cunningly used in Octopussy and Xao’s Jaguar XKR from Die Another Day.
The exhibition has proved to be very popular with film fans and car enthusiasts alike, and has attracted a number of Bond cast and crew members, including James Bond himself, Sir Roger Moore, Bond actresses Britt Ekland, Eunice Gayson, Jenny Hanley and Madeline Smith, actor Colin Salmon who appeared as MI6 Chief of Staff, Charles Robinson, and Bond special effects supervisor Chris Corbould.

BOND IN MOTION can be seen as part of a visit to the whole Beaulieu attraction, which includes the National Motor Museum, World of Top Gear, Beaulieu Abbey, Palace House and gardens.

Beaulieu is open daily from 10am – 5pm. 
For more information please visit www.beaulieu.co.uk or telephone 01590 612345.

*excluding pre-booked groups and entrance with an annual gift aid pass or return for free voucher.

Bond Visits Bond In Motion To Launch Bond 50 Blu-Ray Collection

Sir Roger Moore in an Aston Martin DBS at the Fox Blu-ray launch

Sir Roger Moore, who famously played 007 in the James Bond film series, visited the National Motor Museum’s BOND IN MOTION exhibition to celebrate the launch of the BOND 50 Blu-ray Collection, on sale now.

BOND 50 from Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios and Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment showcases all 22 classic films on Blu-ray together for the first time, with a dossier of more than 122 hours of bonus features to mark James Bond’s  golden anniversary.

Sir Roger had an opportunity to reacquaint himself with some of the iconic vehicles from the seven Bond films in which he starred between 1973 and 1985, including the Lotus Esprit S1 submarine car from The Spy Who Loved Me, the Glastron Speedboat from Live and Let Die and the Acrostar BD-5J Jet from Octopussy, although he confessed his personal favourite was the Citroen 2CV from For Your Eyes Only.

The exhibition showcases 50 of the best-loved and most iconic Bond vehicles – some never publicly displayed before – in celebration of the 50th year of the James Bond films.

Most recent additions to the exhibition include two Honda motorcycles and a Land Rover Defender 110 from the latest Bond film, Skyfall, which has its world premiere at the Royal Albert Hall, London on the 23rd October.

BOND IN MOTION can be seen as part of a visit to the whole Beaulieu attraction.  Advance tickets, at a special rate, are available to buy online at www.beaulieushop.co.uk. For further information on the exhibition visit www.bondinmotion.co.uk

The First Lady of Bond

Eunice Gayson who played James Bond’s girlfriend Sylvia Trench in both Dr No and From Russia With Love, will be at the National Motor Museum, Beaulieu, on Saturday, 6th October, to sign copies of her autobiography, THE FIRST LADY OF BOND, the inside story of an original Bond girl and some of the best-loved films ever made.

Eunice became the very first 'Bond girl' with her character setting up the most famous line in film history ... 'Bond, James Bond', though Sean Connery was so nervous he took over a dozen takes to get the line correct!

In her autobiography, Eunice discusses her role in the two movies and reveals that her famous red dress in Dr No was actually a very last minute replacement and was held together with clothes pegs.

By the time 007 came into her life she had already carved out a very successful career in UK television and films, and across the pond, become one of the first reality TV stars when married live on American television.

Her leading men included Sean Connery, Patrick McGoohan, Michael Wilding, Patrick MacNee and Roger Moore, and she co-starred in a record-breaking run of The Sound of Music in London's West End.

Joining Eunice at Beaulieu is Shane Rimmer, whosevoice is familiar to millions from his role as Scott Tracy, the pilot of Thunderbird 1, and as characters in no fewer than three 007 movies.

Shane will be on hand to sign copies of From Thunderbirds to Pterodactyls, published last year, a wry and refreshingly frank autobiography that sheds new light on some of the best-loved films and television ever made. In it, Shane recalls the years he spent as an actor, voice artist and writer for Gerry Anderson's classic productions, as well as appearances in other memorable shows such as Doctor Who, Coronation Street and Lipstick On Your Collar.

Equally at home in Star Wars or Out of Africa, Shane's talents as a character actor have been called upon by some of the film industry's leading directors, from Stanley Kubrick in Dr Strangelove to Christopher Nolan in Batman Begins.

Between the two he appeared in three James Bond movies - first opposite Sean Connery as a radar operator in You Only Live Twice, and Tom in Diamonds Are Forever, and lastly with Roger Moore as Captain Carter in The Spy Who Loved Me - and had a close encounter with a low-flying dinosaur in The People That Time Forgot.

Also on hand to talk to visitors will be stuntman, Paul Weston who has appeared in 10 Bond films as well as other high-profile films such as Star Wars, Indiana Jones and Superman.

Eunice Gayson and Shane Rimmer will be signing books in the Visitor Reception Hall of the National Motor Museum, from 12 noon to 2.30pm on Saturday, 6th October. Visitors purchasing either autobiography will be offered a discounted rate to visit the museum’s acclaimed BOND IN MOTION exhibition on the same day*.

*Not applicable to online tickets purchased in advance from the Beaulieu webshop or in conjunction with any other offer.