Brooklands Museum, The Locke King Room

​I recently visited Brooklands Museum for the first time, and I can honestly say it was a real eye-opener. I went expecting to see vintage cars and motor racing history, which is certainly abundant, but I hadn't realized the sheer depth of history tied to the site, especially its massive contribution to wartime activities. ​The most staggering revelation was discovering the parallel life of Brooklands during the wars, it was a critical hub for aircraft building, pilot training, and other essential production efforts. This blending of high-octane motorsport history with vital British engineering and defense makes the entire complex feel truly unique. Everywhere you look, the ground is steeped in history. ​It’s easy to walk past an exhibit, but at Brooklands, each item seems to have a bigger story with an even bigger person behind it. What makes it truly special is the working nature of the collection; it's amazing that most of the stuff still works, it starts and can be driven. ​Seeing the engineering that spans so long ago now is genuinely humbling. The ingenuity and sheer effort made by those engineers and workers are staggering, producing results that many of us struggle to understand even today. ​Furthermore, you can’t help but be astounded by the courage it must have taken to drive and fly some of these early creations. The museum beautifully illustrates how these massive efforts, from the earliest race drivers pushing speed limits to the pilots training on site, all lead us to where we are now in terms of technological development. ​With so much to see, the experience is incredibly rich. However, it's the absolutely wonderful staff that truly elevates the visit. They are happy to talk and explain things, sharing fascinating details about the exhibits, the people, and the history behind them. Their passion makes the stories come alive. ​All in all, it was a thoroughly enjoyable day out. I didn't get around to seeing everything, so a return visit is definitely in order to continue the journey, and I’m genuinely looking forward to it. Brooklands is a must-visit for anyone interested in British transport, aviation, and engineering history.

Brooklands Museum was a great visit overall. The car parking was a little confusing at first, as the attendants didn’t seem to be paying much attention, but once parked everything ran smoothly. The Concorde Experience is a must-do — the guides were full of knowledge and history, making it a really fascinating part of the day. There’s also so much else to see and do across the museum, and during my visit there was an Emergency Services event which added even more variety. It’s also a family-friendly place, with plenty of activities and exhibits for kids to enjoy while learning at the same time. The main café was very busy (understandable with the event on), but there were pop-up food stalls which offered good value, even if the queues were on the longer side. Pros: • Fascinating Concorde Experience with excellent guides • Wide range of exhibits and events throughout the year • Great for kids with lots of interactive learning • Extra pop-up food options during events Cons: • Parking attendants could be more organised • Main café and food queues get quite busy on event days