Car enthusiasts and families can head into the heart of the New Forest for a massive celebration of Scandinavian motoring! On Saturday 4 July 2026, the world-famous grounds of the National Motor Museum (Beaulieu SO42 7ZN) will host the return of the annual Swedish Takeover car rally. Running from 10:00 AM until 16:00 (4:00 PM) and organized in partnership with the Volvo Surrey, Sussex, and Hampshire club, this vibrant display brings together hundreds of iconic Swedish vehicles, from vintage classic cruisers to highly modified modern performance builds.
Event Schedule and Timings
The Swedish Takeover features a structured automotive program across the main museum complex, with vehicular arrivals starting well before the standard public opening times:
- 08:30 AM: Participant Gate Opens — Pre-booked Swedish display cars (Volvos, Saabs, and Polestars) enter via the specialized North Gate to arrange their club and individual stand layouts.
- 10:00 AM: Main Public Opening — The exhibition arenas officially open to general museum visitors. Indoor displays, trade stands, and all core Beaulieu attractions commence operations.
- 14:00 (2:00 PM): Peoples’ Choice Award Voting Closes — Ballots must be handed back to the event desk to count the public votes for the best Swedish car of the show.
- 15:00 (3:00 PM): Official Trophy Presentation — The winners of the Peoples’ Choice Award and special club honors are announced live in the main arena paddock.
- 16:00 (4:00 PM): Car Display Concludes — The organized vehicle rally winds down, and display cars begin their departures.
- 18:00 (6:00 PM): Attraction Complex Closes — The wider National Motor Museum, Palace House, and grounds close for the evening.
Ticket Tiers
Admission setups are split cleanly between vehicle exhibitors showing off a Swedish car and general public visitors exploring the museum:
- Participant Display Ticket: Adult £16.00 | Child £8.50 — Valid only for visitors arriving in a Swedish vehicle (Volvo, Saab, Polestar, etc.) to join the official arena display. Covers vehicle parking inside the showground and full access to all Beaulieu attractions. *Must be pre-booked online in advance.*
- Standard Museum Visitor Ticket: Adult £25.50 | Child £14.50 — For general public visitors arriving in non-Swedish cars who park in the standard visitor lot. Includes open access to view the Swedish Takeover rally alongside all permanent museum galleries and historic buildings.
Entry and Club Display Policies
- Exhibitor Arrival Window: Display cars must arrive between 08:30 AM and 10:00 AM. To ensure crowd safety, late-arriving display cars may be redirected to the standard public parking fields rather than the main arenas.
- Club Stand Bookings: Car clubs looking to park together must register a group booking in advance. Individual display ticket holders can still park in the general individual parking rows within the arena fields.
- Pet Guidelines: Leashed dogs are welcome across the outdoor exhibition arenas and the main parkland pathways. However, dogs are not permitted inside Palace House, the National Motor Museum buildings, or on the Monorail trains.
The village of Beaulieu experiences high volumes of traffic during weekend car meets. Visitors are advised to note local driving parameters:
- B3056 and B3054 (Beaulieu Approach) — Fully open. Drivers must stay highly alert for free-roaming New Forest ponies and donkeys that often gather directly along the unfenced roadsides right outside the museum boundary lines.
How to Get There
The event is staged across the outdoor show arenas of the National Motor Museum, Beaulieu, Brockenhurst, SO42 7ZN:
- By Car: From Southampton, take the A35 west through the New Forest, then head south on the B3056 directly into Beaulieu. Follow the official brown tourism signposts to the main entrance.
- By Train: The nearest railway station is Brockenhurst, located roughly 6 miles west of the venue. Visitors can take a direct taxi from the station ranks to the museum gates.
- By Ferry: Take the passenger ferry from Southampton Town Quay to Hythe, then connect to the local bus or take a taxi for the remaining 4.5-mile drive across the forest.
Where to Park at Beaulieu
Ample parking is available on-site, with designated zones set up to keep different vehicle types organized smoothly:
- Showground Exhibition Arenas: Strictly reserved for pre-booked Swedish vehicles holding a valid Participant Display Ticket. Access is managed via the North Gate.
- Main Visitor Car Parks: Completely FREE parking for all standard museum visitors arriving in non-display cars. This includes dedicated hardstanding spaces for blue badge mobility holders and a designated tarmac area for motorbikes.
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Frequently Asked Questions
- What date and time is the Swedish Takeover 2026?
- The Swedish Takeover car rally takes place on Saturday 4 July 2026. Gates open for pre-booked display vehicles at 08:30 AM, while general public museum entry starts at 10:00 AM. The car rally concludes at 16:00 (4:00 PM), but the main museum attractions stay open until 18:00 (6:00 PM).
- Do I need a separate ticket to see the car rally if I’m visiting the museum?
- No, the Swedish Takeover car show is fully included within your standard Beaulieu entry ticket. You get full access to view the vehicles alongside entry to the National Motor Museum, Palace House, and Beaulieu Abbey.
- Can I display my car if it isn’t a Volvo or a Saab?
- The main showground arena display is strictly reserved for Swedish manufactured vehicles, which includes Volvos, Saabs, Polestars, and Koenigsseggs. If you are driving a non-Swedish vehicle, you can park in the free visitor car park and enter as a general visitor.
- Are dogs allowed at the Swedish Takeover event?
- Yes, dogs are welcome in the outdoor car show arenas and the main parkland pathways as long as they are kept on a lead. Please note that dogs are not permitted inside the indoor museum galleries, Palace House, or on the Monorail trains.
- Is public parking free at Beaulieu for general visitors?
- Yes, general visitor vehicle parking at Beaulieu is completely free for non-display cars, with dedicated tarmac spaces available for blue badge holders and motorcyclists.