Beaulieu celebrates Easter with family fun and a new look for the National Motor Museum.
Beaulieu tells us…
(All words and photographs from Beaulieu).
This Easter at Beaulieu from the 28 March – 12 April, gather friends and family and be one of the first to experience the National Motor Museum’s brand new entrance hallway and explore the brand new gallery Driven: Britain’s Motoring Story. Plus, enjoy precious time together following the Top Trumps trail, rides in Chitty Chitty Bang Bang and you can still see Disney and Pixar Cars!
Opening just in time for Easter 2026, one of the most significant changes to the National Motor Museum since it was built, is a brand new permanent exhibition gallery. Driven: Britain’s Motoring Story. The contemporary, engaging and inspiring display will showcase the development of motoring in the UK. Delving into the social and cultural impact of motoring, Driven: Britain’s Motoring Story will have five distinct areas focusing on how Britain has changed over the decades, with spotlight loan vehicles, fun interactive displays and previously unseen items from the museum collections. The project will create a new welcoming space alongside a full redevelopment of the upper galleries and will be a must-see during your visit this Easter.
While inside the National Motor Museum, kids of all ages will be delighted that some of your favourite stars from the Disney and Pixar Cars franchise are parked up on display! Lightning McQueen, Jackson Storm and Finn McMissile roll in for a limited time stay until 12 April. It’s the perfect opportunity for families to meet life-size models of these fan-favourite racers and Radiator Springs residents who have been winning hearts since 2006. Get your cameras out, and be ready to say…“Ka-Chow!”
Carry on the motoring theme by revving up your engines and following the Top Trumps trail around the Beaulieu attraction! Grab yourself a trail map at Visitor Reception and join in the family fun by uncovering all the giant cards hidden around Beaulieu’s grounds and gardens. Find them all to be presented with your very own special Top Trumps card, then make sure you add it to your pack, which you can collect in the Gift Shop!
The Easter holidays at Beaulieu are never complete without an egg-stra special visit from the Easter Bunny! Those visiting over the Easter weekend (3-6 April) may catch a glimpse of them happily hopping around the site, so keep your eyes peeled. Plus, you’ll be sure to crack a smile with the extra activities on offer over the bank holiday weekend!
Continue the magic of a day out at Beaulieu with a ride in Chitty Chitty Bang Bang around the grounds! This Easter, rides in everyone’s favourite ‘fine-four-fendered-friend’ are back for 2026, and during the school holiday, you can book a ride in one of TV and films’ most iconic cars, taking you from the National Motor Museum to stunning photo opportunities outside Palace House. Mr Toad’s car will also be available to book a ride in for those fans of The Wind in the Willows.*
As with any visit to Beaulieu, keep a lookout for living history characters bringing the past to life. Meet the mechanic inside the National Motor Museum who will show you their handling table, full of nuts, bolts and artefacts to tinker with. Then say hello to the cook in Palace House who has a fine array of curious gadgets to try out. Whilst inside the house, don’t miss the newly opened Circus Bedroom which has opened in time for Easter. This exciting addition is the fourth and final bedroom to be opened to the public, which once formed part of Edward, Lord Montagu’s private apartment.
Leave time to explore the grounds and gardens where you will be able to see spring flowers emerging throughout, giving splashes of vibrant colour wherever you look.
More hands-on opportunities can be found in Beaulieu’s interactive car attraction We Had One of Those. Pick the blast from your past and show the kids what driving was like ‘back in the day’ with vehicles on display from the 1960s through to the 2000s and beyond. Get up close and personal by opening the doors, sitting back in the driver’s seat, and marvelling at retro dashboards while interacting with their buttons and dials.
You can’t complete a day out at Beaulieu without a visit to the adventure play area, Little Beaulieu! With the weather warming up and spring days appearing, Easter is a great time for kids to let off steam and let their imaginations run wild. With secret passageways to explore, treetop walkways to conquer, a zip wire to whoosh down and plenty of climbing and imaginative play opportunities, it’s the perfect addition to a jam-packed day out.
Your general admission ticket to Beaulieu includes all there is to see, as well as rides on their popular Monorail and Veteran bus. To find out more and to book your next together day, visit www.beaulieu.co.uk.
*Please note: Rides in Chitty Chitty Bang Bang are on Weekends, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thurday, whilst Mr Toad Rides are Monday and Friday. These experiences are an additional cost and cannot go ahead in wet weather conditions.