If you are more than moderately interested in Mercedes-Benz, British racing cars from the interwar period or British passenger planes, I recommend a trip to the disused Brooklands railway in Surrey, south-east of London.
Mercedes-Benz World is packed with automotive history. The first petrol-powered car was a Benz, and the brand has been a trendsetter for the car industry for over 130 years. It is very nice to see. The greatest emphasis is placed on newer models. The entire model program can be studied, including Smart and models that are not imported to Norway. Unfortunately, the new X-Class was conspicuous by its absence. Probably, the production of right-hand drive cars has not started yet.
At Mercedes-Benz World, you can open doors and take a closer look at the great S-Class and AMG offerings without salesmen breathing down your neck. Should you wonder about anything, you can find most of it on the fact sheet, or ask supervisors who are nearby. Mercedes-Benz World is open every day and is free for everyone - and well suited for children.
Smooth driving and track driving
The greatest experience for many is probably the opportunity to drive on a track. You can take almost any model out on smooth and dry tracks. These are great team-building activities, also among Norwegians. It sounds really good on the plain when four AMG models frolic on the track.
Speaking of slick driving, the country roads also offered slick driving after the whole of Great Britain had been hit by -5 degrees and a blizzard the day before. At Brooklands I had the experience of seeing four drivers as actually could drive smoothly. Everyone else who tried out on the track clearly had very little experience with Nordic driving conditions.
Brooklands Museum
Brooklands Museum is right next to Mercedes-Benz World. The two experience sites are aimed at the same type of audience. The remains of the old racing track are still standing, but you will never get to experience the roars of the legendary racing cars of the 30s there. They stand indoors in the museum hall.
It is also worth mentioning the aircraft exhibition at the museum. It is fantastic. The Concorde was not open to the public that day, but I got a good look at the Sultan of Oman's former private jet, a Vickers VC10, – a converted airliner with twin Rolls-Royce engines mounted in the rear of the fuselage. This aircraft is now placed back in almost the same place it was built in 1964. Certainly 14 people must have been engaged in the construction and maintenance of aircraft here. Now, no one, apart from museum staff with roots, enthusiasm and pride in the former British aviation industry - and who happily share detailed knowledge with other aircraft geeks, such as myself - prefers cockpits built with analogue instruments.
Pictures from Mercedes-Benz World.
Facts
Mercedes-Benz World:
https://www.mercedes-benz.co.uk/
Brooklands Museum:
https://www.brooklandsmuseum.com/
How to get there:
By train:
South Western Railway from Waterloo station, London to Weybridge, Surrey. Travel time 30-40 minutes.
From Weybridge you can walk on the marked "foot path" (1 km). Go up to the roundabout by the main road. Keep to the right without crossing the road. Walk parallel to the railway, first along a parking space, then on the marked path. The path crosses the railway at one point. Continue along the railway until you cross the river, then turn left under the railway bridge and you will see the museum grounds. You can also take a taxi from the station. There is a taxi rank at the station.
By car/taxi from Heathrow:
Take the M25 south. Turn off at the A320 towards Woking and Chertsey. After leaving the M25, the road will be signposted all the way to Brooklands. Distance from Heathrow is approx. 20 km.
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