National Motor Museum

A quick-loading opening page takes you to a solid-enough website for this Hampshire-based motoring museum. The museum dates back to 1952, when it was called the Montagu Motor Museum. These days, it collects, preserves and presents vehicles relating to the history of motoring in Great Britain from 1895 - and further back, seemingly, given that one ride at the museum takes you as far back as the invention of the wheel - to the present day. Beaulieu bulges with more than 250 vehicles and tens of thousands of related objects - it's a lot of wheel power, in short.

But while the museum claims to be the best day out in England, the website falls just short of the full five stars. Although car enthusiasts can view the motor collection through the 'motor collection link', this site is not a fully-fledged online experience in itself. Still, it can't be faulted for ease of use and clarity, with three options to choose from on its opening page (the National Motor Museum and its two sibling attractions, the Beaulieu Abbey or Palace House) and a menu down the left-hand side of the screen once you're in. It never quite motors, but it's a smooth cruise.

SPECIAL FEATURES

The Motor Collection Browse what's on show at the museum by car.

Automobilia is an introduction to some of the additional accessories and automobile-aids at the museum. What the site does offer is some automobilia desktop wallpaper, sure to bring keen car lovers out in a hot flush every time they turn on their computer.

Jack Tucker's Garage Trek back in time and check out this 1930s garage, complete with rusty drainpipe.

Rides and Drives Enticing blurb for the crazy things you can do in Hampshire, like take a trip in a space-age pod from the first Stone Age wheels to a vision of what cars in the future might look like.

Education Find out about educational possibilities via their online educational booking form.

Palace House Link on the opening page to the 14th-century Great Gatehouse of Beaulieu Abbey. Take a not-entirely state-of-the-art virtual tour, salivate over the Victorian menus (roast this, roast that) and meet the Montagu family's famous ancestors.

Beaulieu Abbey This place was founded in 1204 by Cistercian monks on land given to them by King John. Follow the Exploring the Abbey link to find out what went on where around the grounds; click on the section you're interested in with your mouse. Alternatively, click on Ghosts! to find out which ethereal individuals are still loitering in the cloisters. Apparently, visitors have been known to ask why The Grey Lady won't speak to them.... it's because she's dead.