Beaulieu Hosts Two Great Family Events For Half-Term

BEAULIEU, UNITED KINGDOM – May 18, 2011: There are two great family events being staged this coming half- term in the grounds of the National Motor Museum at Beaulieu, in the heart of the New Forest National Park.

Trucks & Troops is a three-day show running from Saturday 28th May to Bank Holiday Monday 30th May, showcasing military transport, combat vehicles and soldiering through the ages. This year the event celebrates the ‘Home Front’, the civilians left at home to support the war effort. Watch war time cookery demonstrations and see the ‘Blitz Buddies’ Home Front wartime fundraising party.

Over 250 military vehicles will be on display, everything from push-bikes to armoured and tracked vehicles, ranging from pre WWll to the Gulf War. Living History groups will be talking to visitors about life as a soldier and re-creating camps and situations in which they would have lived and served. On the Beaulieu Arena watch parades of vehicles, a Royal Marine Cadet Field Gun display and marching bands.

Activities for younger visitors include a Commando Assault Course, a Model Boat Pond and Model Tank Village. There will also be an opportunity to dress up in Army camouflage, including camo face paint, and take part in a patrol with real soldiers from the modern British Army.

On the 4th and 5th June, step back in time for a great family day out with the Beaulieu Steam Revival. Among the major attractions will be the free Fun Fair with old-tyme steam driven fairground rides including Gallopers, Bumper Cars and Speedway, plus additional side attractions, musical organs and a superb collection of heavy haulage and running steam cars.

Seelive demonstrations of agricultural traction engines in a harvest threshing area and thatching and timber working, using wood from the Beaulieu Estate, in the woodland and orchard area. There will also be a cider press and craft displays.

Watch boiler making and engine restoration in the Foundry and Blacksmith Shop, as well as brick making and road laying. All the family can enjoy free trailer and miniature steam engine rides plus many more surprises around each corner!

Visitors to both shows can also see all the other Beaulieu attractions including the National Motor Museum with its latest exhibition, ‘Feats of Endurance’, and World of Top Gear, Palace House and 13th century Beaulieu Abbey. Not to be missed is the Secret Army Exhibition which tells the story of wartime Beaulieu and the training of secret agents to work with the Resistance in occupied Europe during WWll.

Beaulieu is open from 10am each day with plenty of free parking. For more information telephone 01590 612345, or visit: www.beaulieuevents.co.uk