History of Brooklands Museum

Brooklands was the birthplace of British motorsport and aviation and the site of many engineering and technological achievements throughout eight decades of the 20th century. The racing circuit was constructed by local landowner Hugh F. Locke King in 1907 and was the first purpose-built racing circuit in the world. Many records were set there. Many aviation firsts are also associated with Brooklands, which soon became one of Britain’s first aerodromes. It attracted many aviation pioneers prior to World War I, and was also a leading aircraft design and manufacturing centre in the 20th century, producing a remarkable total of some 18,600 new aircraft of nearly 260 types between 1908 and 1987 (see McSwein, D R).

Brooklands-based aircraft companies such as Bleriot, Hawker, Sopwith, Martinsyde, and Vickers were key players in the early years of aviation and were crucial to its early development. The ‘Daily Mail Round Britain Air Race’ of 1911 started and finished at Brooklands, and both the event and the location later influenced the theme of the classic 1965 Twentieth Century Fox British film comedy ‘Those Magnificent Men in Their Flying Machines‘ (based at the fictitious but remarkably similar ‘Brookfield’). Flying training was an important function of the aerodrome both before World War I and between the wars. Visitors can see many displays and exhibits portraying the contribution made by Brooklands to the British aircraft industry in both world wars, and also in the post-war years with Vickers and later the British Aircraft Corporation and British Aerospace.

Drive Down the Windiest Street in the City

Located on the banks of the River Wey, the well-heeled town of Weybridge is the place to go for a waterside stroll, motoring heritage and a spot of alfresco lunch…

One of the earliest canals in the country, the River Wey Navigation was opened in 1653. It is also claimed that in 1890 Weybridge was the first town to be wholly lit by electricity (though this may cause sparks to fly with Godalming folk who insist their town was the first…).

The town is also notable for its celebrated motoring history. In 1907, the famous Brooklands racetrack opened nearby, the spirit of which lives on in the marvellous Brooklands Museum, and the motoring heritage continues to this day with the nearby Mercedes-Benz World complex.

On another point of interest, a church has stood on the site of St James’ for more than 800 years. The small medieval church of St Nicholas was replaced by the current church in 1849.

The column at Monument Green has a fascinating history too – it was once, believe it or not, the centrepiece of Seven Dials at Covent Garden – the column there now is just a replica!

Today, Weybridge is a bustling, cosmopolitan town with a plethora of coffee shops, smart boutiques and swanky interiors stores serving its well-heeled clientele.