Sammy Miller MBE is greatly honoured to have been crowned Winner of the Collections category at the Royal Automobile Club’s Historic Awards at a grand ceremony in London’s Pall Mall, on the evening of the 24th November.
It is a great tribute to our Museum Complex and further cements our place on the world map as the world’s leading motorcycle museum.
Sharon Bumpsteed, our Museum Manager, attended the ceremony and accepted the award on Sammy’s behalf, presented by David Bond, Managing Director of Footman James who supported the award category.
This prestigious award recognises the phenomenal collection on display at our magnificent museum in New Milton, and is credit to Sammy’s decades of dedication to motorsport, both on and off the track.
Each motorcycle has been hand picked by Sammy for its engineering innovation, its racing history or for its significance to motorsport. Of around 500 bikes, almost all are in running order and are meticulously maintained by a team of volunteers.
We are extremely honoured to receive this accolade and incredibly proud of the further benefit it brings to New Milton and the New Forest in supporting the tourism industry in the area. We are looking forward to a successful 2023, continuing to promote New Milton and the New Forest.
Judges’ Comment
The Sammy Miller Museum houses an exceptional collection of more than 500 motorcycles, including some of the greatest competition machines of all time, in a series of themed halls on a site which includes family-friendly attractions including a cafeteria, live animal and bird collections and craft shops. The standards of restoration and display of the motorcycles are of the highest order, with the machines displayed in a way which allows the public to get close to every exhibit. The whole museum is the very embodiment of founder Sammy Miller’s personality, limitless enthusiasm and meticulous attention to detail, and his regular presence in the restoration workshop and on the exhibition floor not only lends it a unique atmosphere but also makes it one of the most appealing destinations for motoring enthusiasts, and a worthy winner.