Southport is a seaside town in the Metropolitan Borough of Sefton in Merseyside, England. A beach resort, it offers many attractions and perhaps one of the more unique of these is the British Lawnmower Museum. Yes, you read that right.
Located at 106-114 Shakespeare St (entrance in Stanleys Security Shop), this museum is dedicated to preserving and displaying the history and heritage of the humble lawnmower, from its invention in the 19th century to its modern variations. On display is a surprising array of lawnmowers that demonstrate the variety and ingenuity of these machines, as well as the stories behind them.
The British Lawnmower Museum was founded by Brian Radam, a former lawnmower racing champion and mechanic who started collecting old and rare lawnmowers in the 1970’s. He opened his museum in 1988, and since then it has grown to house over 300 exhibits, including some that belonged to celebrities and royalty. Visitors can see lawnmowers that were used by (the then) Prince Charles, Princess Diana, Brian May, Alan Titchmarsh, and many more.
The museum also showcases the evolution of lawnmower technology and design, from the first manual push mowers to the electric and petrol-powered models. With an audio tour coming from speakers whilst walking around, visitors can learn about the different types of lawnmowers, such as cylinder, rotary, hover, and robotic, and how they work. It is also possible to discover some of the quirky and unusual lawnmowers that have been created over the years, such as the world's fastest lawnmower, the world's smallest lawnmower, and even a lawnmower powered by a jet engine.
The British Lawnmower Museum is not only a place to admire lawnmowers, but also a place to learn about their cultural and social impact. The museum explores how lawnmowers have influenced gardening, sports, art, and entertainment.
Visitors can see how lawnmowers have been featured in films, TV shows, books, and music and can also learn about the history of lawnmower racing, a sport that originated in England in the 1970s and is still popular today (according to the British Lawn Mower Racing Association’s website, lawnmower racing is “one of the cheapest and most entertaining ways to experience the thrills and adrenaline rush of grass roots motor sport”.
The museum also offers guided tours for groups and schools, as well as a gift shop where visitors can buy souvenirs and memorabilia. For those interested in lawnmowers or just looking for something different to do in Southport, a visit to this museum is a must. Many visitors are surprised by its charm and humour, and come away never looking at a lawnmower in the same way again.
[Photos: 24 March 2023]
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