Brooklands Museum is located on the site of the Brooklands race track, which was opened in 1907 as the world’s first purpose-built motor racing circuit. The track was the brainchild of Hugh Locke King, a wealthy landowner and motorsport enthusiast, who sought to create a venue for testing and racing the latest motor vehicles in a safe and controlled environment. Brooklands quickly became the heart of British motorsport, hosting legendary races, record-breaking attempts, and innovative engineering feats that shaped the history of motoring and aviation.

In addition to its motorsport heritage, Brooklands played a pivotal role in the development of British aviation. During World War I, the site was used for aircraft production and testing, and it later became a center for aviation innovation in the interwar and post-war periods. The Brooklands Aerodrome was a key location for the development and testing of aircraft, including iconic models such as the Vickers Vimy, which made the first non-stop transatlantic flight in 1919.

The Brooklands race track was closed in 1939 at the outbreak of World War II, but its legacy lived on through the establishment of Brooklands Museum in 1991. The museum was created to preserve and celebrate the rich history of the site, ensuring that the stories of its people, vehicles, and achievements would not be forgotten. Today, Brooklands Museum is a vibrant and dynamic heritage site that attracts visitors from around the world, offering a unique and immersive experience of British aviation and motorsport history.

The Track at Brooklands was the brainchild of Hugh Locke King, a wealthy landowner and motorsport enthusiast who sought to create a venue for testing and racing the latest motor vehicles in a safe and controlled environment. Before Brooklands, motorsport events were typically held on public roads, which were dangerous and unpredictable. Locke King’s vision was to build a dedicated track where manufacturers, drivers, and spectators could gather to celebrate the emerging world of motorsport.

The track was designed as a 2.75-mile (4.43 km) banked concrete oval, with a finishing straight and two long curves. The banked sections were up to 30 feet (9.1 m) high in places, allowing drivers to maintain high speeds through the turns. This innovative design made Brooklands one of the fastest and most challenging circuits of its time. The track’s concrete surface was also a novelty, providing a smooth and durable racing environment that was unmatched by the dirt or gravel tracks of the era.

The Track at Brooklands quickly became the heart of British motorsport. It hosted legendary races, record-breaking attempts, and groundbreaking aviation testing, attracting drivers, engineers, and spectators from around the world. The track was a testbed for innovation, where new technologies, designs, and techniques were developed and refined. It also became a social hub, where the elite of British society gathered to watch races, celebrate victories, and enjoy the thrill of motorsport.

In addition to its motorsport heritage, The Track at Brooklands played a pivotal role in the development of British aviation. During World War I, the site was used for aircraft production and testing, and it later became a center for aviation innovation in the interwar and post-war periods. The track’s long straight and wide open spaces made it an ideal location for testing and refining new aircraft designs, including iconic models such as the Vickers Vimy and Hawker Hurricane.

The Track at Brooklands closed as a racing circuit in 1939 at the outbreak of World War II, but its legacy lived on through the establishment of Brooklands Museum in 1991. Today, the track is a preserved and celebrated heritage site, where visitors can explore the history, engineering, and cultural impact of one of the most iconic racing circuits in the world.