On September 7 and 8, 2019, the legendary "Autojumble" took place in Beaulieu in the New Forest National Park in southern England. This event, which is known far beyond the country's borders, has been held every year since 1967. It regularly surpasses itself with new attractions and even bigger dimensions.
The Beaulieu Autojumble is the largest event of its kind on this side of the Atlantic. Even if you don't want to buy anything, you should treat yourself to this experience!
The bad weather: a rumor
We cannot confirm that it "always rains" in England. On this September weekend, the sun was shining in the blue sky, sometimes decorated with a few pretty clouds, and the mercury was always between 18 and 22 degrees during the day.
Colourful supporting program
On Saturday, a Bonhams auction featured everything from a collection of radiator mascots to a Bugatti in concours condition, making the hearts of enthusiasts beat faster. Dozens of classic cars were exhibited on a meadow in front of the auction tent.
Around 200 classic cars are offered for sale every year on the large parking lot next to the National Motor Museum - from the Reliant Scimitar as a restoration project to the Opel GT in new condition, almost everything could be seen here.
The roots of the Autojumble
The heart (and also the origin) of the Autojumble, however, is the market with spare parts, books, automobilia, tin signs, model cars and much more. More than 2,000 stands (not a misnomer: two thousand!) offer everything that will delight mechanics, collectors and classic car owners. As the saying goes: "If you can't find it in Beaulieu, it doesn't exist".
The author of these lines was also lucky. For £50, he found a left-hand drive version of the steering wheel for his Citroën DS, on the island of all places, where the steering wheel is usually on the other side. The seller was happy to finally be rid of it and the author was delighted with the surprising find.
The atmosphere in Beaulieu is always reminiscent of a folk festival, you can see happy men with shining eyes bringing their trophies home in a cart or wheelbarrow.
Not manageable in two days
The Beaulieu event is centered around the British Motor Museum, which would be worth a longer visit on its own.
With the auction on Saturday, the stalls on both days and the additional "trunk sale" by private vendors on Sunday, two days are usually not enough to see everything.
It is therefore advisable to make a plan. What do I want to see, which parts do I want to buy, what do I not want to miss from the supporting program?
In the middle of the national park
It should not be forgotten that the Beaulieu Autojumble takes place in the second most beautiful national park in the south of England (personal opinion of the author of these lines), the "New Forest". Here, as on Dartmoor, the world is different from anywhere else. Here, people and their houses are fenced in, while horses, sheep, cows and highland cattle roam freely as and where they please.
These uniquely beautiful national parks are well worth spending a few days in and observing nature. Please drive carefully, because while you might come across a cow on the road on local Alpine passes, whole herds can come along in the New Forest!
Easily accessible
If you book early enough, you will find affordable hotels in nearby towns such as Lymington or Milford on Sea, which are ideal for visiting the Beaulieu Autojumble due to the short drive of 10 to 20 minutes.
And if you're already there, you should spend a few days on the Jurassic Coast or visit the Goodwood Revival, which usually takes place a week later.
