Key stage 1 to 2

Looking for an outreach option that will get pupils talking, laughing and learning? Bring motoring history to life with a lively, hands-on learning session full of stories, surprises and activities pupils can join in with.

What was the Great Horse Manure Crisis of 1894? How did French farmers accidently influence the comfort of cars? Why did the British not give two hoots about progress?

Pupils are drawn in through quirky questions, playful challenges and memorable moments that spark curiosity and classroom discussion.

Explore the pioneering spirit that shaped our transportation, sound the horns, wave the flag and even model period fashion as your pupils discover the people, inventions and big ideas behind early motoring.

Active, accessible and easy to link to the curriculum, this is a fun, high-energy outreach experience for teachers who want learning to feel imaginative, interactive and memorable.

Curriculum links: History, English, Science

Enquire Here.

The Victorians had a slang word for everything. A horse was a nag and a governess, or teacher a nip-lug (for pulling the ear).

Combining our popular "Don't Scare the Horses" and "At Home with the Governess" workshops into a single day of immersive story based discovery, this package brings events beyond living memory to life for all KS1 students. 

This package is designed to bring a whole day of fun and interactive learning at Beaulieu for groups of up to 60 students.

Curriculum links: History, English, Science

ENQUIRE HERE

This interactive and fun programme lifts the lid on some of the more unusual and entertaining motoring stories.

What was the Great Horse Manure Crisis of 1894? How did they clean the streets of 19^th century London? What do either of these have to do with early motoring? 

Join our journey around the museum, sound the horns, wave the flag and model the fashion as we delve into the motoring archives to discover the people behind the stories, the vehicles they invented and how well those inventions were received. 

Curriculum links: History, English, Science

ENQUIRE HERE

Travel back in time and experience the atmosphere of a Victorian country house under the watchful eye of the Governess, Miss Clarke.

Based on tales of the people who lived and worked at Beaulieu in the 19th century, let our expert costumed interpreters lead you though the story of Palace House and discover some of the more familiar and unusual objects of Victorian times.

What are those bells hanging on that board for? Who were the people that lived here? Why do I need to know how to lift a saucepan?

The Governess will help you discover the answers to all these questions and more.

Curriculum links: History, English

ENQUIRE HERE

Can your class unmask the traitor?

With our popular "Rush to Hush Hush" workshop your class can step into the thrilling world of wartime espionage with an unforgettable, evidence-led outreach adventure.

In this interactive tabletop mission, young recruits work together to solve puzzles, follow clues and investigate the secret world of Second World War agents. Along the way, they think like real historians by asking sharp questions, examining evidence and putting their theories to the test.

Armed with fascinating sources from the archives of the National Motor Museum, teams piece together an extraordinary true story. Their adventure races from Europe’s glamorous pre-war circuits and the villages of the New Forest to occupied northern France—connecting local history with the high-stakes drama of the Second World War.

Could a champion racing driver really become an undercover secret agent? In this gripping fact-finding challenge, teams meet the remarkable people who did exactly that, and race to expose the person who betrayed them.

For classes of up to 36 pupils.

Curriculum links: History and English, including historical enquiry, the use of evidence, local and wider history, spoken language and writing for purpose.

ENQUIRE HERE

Combining our popular "Covert Operations " and "From Rush to Hush-Hush" workshops into a single day of wartime discovery, each student will have the chance to participate in two immersive, real life story based workshops that bring the world of sabotage and deception to life using genuine historical documents from our archives. 

This package is designed for groups of up to 60 students. 
Larger groups should contact the Learning team to discuss options.

Curriculum Links: Local history study, WW2

ENQUIRE HERE

Combining our popular "Motoring Marvels" and "Marvellous Maids and Fabulous Footmen" workshops into a single day of Victorian ingenuity. Each student will have the chance participate in two immersive, story based workshops that bring the ingenious Victorian world right up to date.

This package is designed for groups of up to 60 students.
Larger groups should contact the Learning team to discuss options.

Curriculum links: History, STEAM

ENQUIRE HERE

Six extraordinary people, four fast drivers, two intertwined stories, and one traitor.

This tabletop session immerses students in a world of espionage and deceit.  Using teamwork and problem solving students will learn the tricks taught to agents in World War 2 and the investigative skills used by historians today.

Using multiple sources from our hidden archives students slowly uncover an unbelievable story taking you from the pre-war racetracks of Europe, through the sleepy villages of the New Forest, to the occupied territories of Northern France during World War 2. 

Becoming a world champion racing driver or an undercover secret agent are usually the stuff of fiction, but in this fact finding session students meet the people who did both and uncover the one who betrayed them all.

Curriculum Links: History, English

ENQUIRE HERE

Who were the free thinking people that transformed the humble horseless carriage into the modern motoring marvels of today?

Told through stories, this engaging museum-based session takes pupils on a journey through time and helps them explore the revolutionary ideas that changed the world of motoring, the people who pushed for this change, and why a simple change of direction can make all the difference.

It is almost impossible to have a completely fresh idea, but Motoring Marvels opens the door on creative thinking and the engineering innovation that continues to shape our world.

Curriculum Links: History, English, STEAM, Design & Technology

ENQUIRE HERE

How did peaceful Beaulieu become a centre for sabotage and subversion in the 1940s?

Reveal the best kept secret of Hampshire in this stealthy role play programme and gain an insight into the methods taught at the Beaulieu Finishing School where secret agents learnt their craft during World War 2. Practice code breaking, learn the art of subterfuge and work as a team to solve problems using the skills of real agents.

Sometimes being quiet has its advantages.

Curriculum links: History, English

ENQUIRE HERE

Palace House is looking for new staff.

Do you know your place? Are you strong enough to be a housekeeper? Can you balance on a footman’s chair? Take on the role of Victorian school children seeking employment as housekeepers, kitchen maids, footmen or chauffeurs and discover how servitude is not as simple as you might think.

Find the secrets of etiquette, spittoons and iron ranges as you explore a variety of aspects to life in a Victorian country house, both below and above stairs. 

Curriculum links: History, English

ENQUIRE HERE