Brooklands Museum
Brooklands Museum stands on the site of Brooklands, a 2.767-mile motor racing circuit and aerodrome built near Weybridge in Surrey, England. Opened in 1907, Brooklands was the world’s first purpose-built banked motor racing circuit and one of Britain’s first airfields, later becoming a major aircraft manufacturing centre. The museum preserves this dual heritage of early motor racing and aviation.
At a glance
- Type
- Motorsport and aviation heritage site and museum
- Period
- Circuit and aerodrome opened in 1907
- Style
- Historic banked racing circuit with aviation works
- Location
- Weybridge, Surrey, England, United Kingdom
Overview
Brooklands was a 2.767-mile motor racing circuit and aerodrome built near Weybridge in Surrey. Opening in 1907, it was the world’s first purpose-built banked motor racing circuit as well as one of Britain’s first airfields. By 1918 it had also become Britain’s largest aircraft manufacturing centre.
History
The circuit opened in 1907 and quickly established itself as a pioneering venue for motor racing on its distinctive banked track. Alongside racing, the site developed into a centre of British aviation, growing into the country’s largest aircraft manufacturing centre by 1918. Over the following decades it produced military aircraft such as the Wellington and civil airliners including the Viscount and the VC10.
What you see
The site retains sections of the historic banked racing circuit that made Brooklands famous. Surviving buildings and structures recall both the racing era and the long history of aircraft construction on the same grounds. Together they document a rare combination of early twentieth-century motorsport and aviation under one site.
Cultural significance
Brooklands holds a foundational place in the history of both motor racing and aviation in Britain. As the world’s first purpose-built banked circuit and an early, then major, aircraft manufacturing centre, it preserves heritage central to twentieth-century transport and engineering.
Practical information
The site is located near Weybridge in Surrey, England. For opening hours, admission and current displays, check the official website.
Getting there
The site lies near Weybridge in Surrey and is reachable by car and by rail to the surrounding area, with onward local connections. London and its airports are within convenient reach for visitors travelling from further afield.