About
The National Speedway Museum
Part of Paradise Wildlife Park
The museum is open everyday including bank holidays from 10:30am – 4:00pm.
Peter Sampson, owner of Paradise Wildlife Park was an accomplished speedway racer in the 1960s. He rode for teams such as Rayleigh, Hackney, Rye House, Swindon and Newcastle…quite an impressive list!
So when the idea of creating a speedway museum was suggested, Peter swiftly offered it a home in the park.
High Beech in Epping Forest was where speedway all began. On the 18th February 1928, R.J. Hill-Bailey of the Ilford Motor Cycle Club held a speedway meeting at a specially created oval track. It attracted 30,000 spectators to the first event and became one of the nation's favourite spectator sports creating local teams and offering an...Read More
About
The National Speedway Museum
Part of Paradise Wildlife Park
The museum is open everyday including bank holidays from 10:30am – 4:00pm.
Peter Sampson, owner of Paradise Wildlife Park was an accomplished speedway racer in the 1960s. He rode for teams such as Rayleigh, Hackney, Rye House, Swindon and Newcastle…quite an impressive list!
So when the idea of creating a speedway museum was suggested, Peter swiftly offered it a home in the park.
High Beech in Epping Forest was where speedway all began. On the 18th February 1928, R.J. Hill-Bailey of the Ilford Motor Cycle Club held a speedway meeting at a specially created oval track. It attracted 30,000 spectators to the first event and became one of the nation's favourite spectator sports creating local teams and offering an exciting day out for all the family. The Original Tea Hut was established on the back of the sports growth and its success at High Beech - and is the reason the area has a historic connection with motorcyclists.
The sport of speedway reached its peak of popularity in the 60's and 70's when it was regularly televised and venues like Belle Vue in Manchester had 25,000 spectators at each meeting. The riders were household names and even vied for sports personality of the year. Since then the sport has declined but is still very much alive and the modern sport, its machines and riders, are represented at the museum.
The speedway museum aims to create an interest for both speedway supporters and riders as well as Paradise Wildlife Park visitors who are yet to have the opportunity to experience the unique noise, smell, speed and sheer excitement of the sport!
There are hundreds of exhibits and memorabilia to satisfy speedway fans and provide a fascinating insight into the history of this once highly popular spectator sport.
There is also a museum shop offering great souvenirs to remember your trip to the National Speedway Museum.
Entry prices and online booking here. More about Paradise Wildlife Park here.
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