A Very British Museum

Pottered around Brooklands Museum for a couple of hours today; it's very British.

Just inside the M25 it's where motorsport took off in the 20s in the UK - cycling and aviation also have lots of history there. Time has done the overall site little favours, for example only a small section of the famous banked racetrack remain and much of the surroundings have been taken over by redevelopment.

The actual museum is fascinating. Old cars and motorbikes live in some well preserved buildings, a couple of aircraft sit on the tarmac (including a concorde) and older planes are also in a hangar. The 1920s clubhouse is there, complete with a billiards room and a vibrantly pink 'Barbara Cartland Room'. It must have been an amazing place to be during a motor race in the roaring 20s.

The place seems to have numerous volunteers and enthusiasts helping out - men of a certain age will happily tell you about the history of a particular plane or car - which all add to the experience. The cycle displays were intriguing and viewing the Raleigh BMX Burners, Choppers, and even a Sinclair C5, I got briefly nostalgic.

Nonetheless I couldn't help but think what if? Here is a place which has history coming out of its pores, fantastic volunteers and located just off the M25. Instead of using lottery money to create 'heritage' with sparkling new projects and 'discovery centres', why not invest in something like Brooklands? It deserves that, and more.