Win a ride through the Welbeck Estate in Chitty Chitty Bang Bang

Have a truly scrumptious day out at The Harley Foundation as Chitty Chitty Bang Bang opens new exhibition of children’s illustrations. The Harley Foundation, North Nottinghamshire has a magical treat in store on Saturday 7 October, as Chitty Chitty Bang Bang visits the gallery in celebration of the new exhibition ‘John Burningham’s Bedtime Stories’.

Burningham created award-winning children’s stories such as Borka and Avocado Baby, and illustrated Chitty Chitty Bang Bang for the novel by Ian Fleming. His drawing of the magical car was later adapted for the 1964 film and the hugely popular theatre production. Visitors to the exhibition opening on 7 October will be able to see a hand-crafted replica of the iconic car, on show from 10am until 1pm.
A prize draw will also award one lucky winner a ride through the historic Welbeck estate in Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, with two of their friends or family. Three runners-up will get the chance to climb aboard Chitty whilst parked outside the gallery, for a truly scrumptious photo opportunity with three of their friends or family.

Tickets to this event are free, and must be prebooked on the Harley Foundation website, www.harleyfoundation.org.uk, where you can also purchase prize draw tickets. All proceeds support the work of the Harley Foundation charitable trust.

“Never say no to adventures. Always say yes. Otherwise you’ll lead a very dull life.”
Ian Fleming, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang

John Burningham’s Bedtime Stories will be showing at the Harley Foundation until January 2024. These stories have captivated generations of readers, and this exhibition is a great opportunity to share Burningham’s magical world with the kids. Burningham’s original model for Chitty Chitty Bang Bang will be accompanied by original illustrations, layouts and dummy books from nine of his award-winning books, including Borka, The Adventures of a Goose with No Feathers and Harvey Slumfenburger’s Christmas Present.

Chitty fans will know that the original road car from the film, GEN 11, was bought by Sir Peter Jackson and now resides in New Zealand. Before she flew away, theatre musician Rob Alderton was permitted to take detailed notes and photos from the car to create an exact replica. The Harley Foundation will be hosting his exquisitely detailed car for the exhibition opening, lovingly recreated with help from vintage car engineer Phil D’Archambaud. There’s one vital change to the design – in place of Ian Fleming’s powerful eight-litre zeppelin engine, Alderton and D’Archambaud have fitted an electric version but have added a big twelve-cylinder sound.

Lisa Gee, Director of the Harley Foundation, says: “It’s amazing to think of John Burningham, sat in his studio, constructing the first model of Chitty out of balsa wood and bits and bobs. Little did he know that his design would influence one of the most trailblazing films of the ’60s. I love that all these years later, this design is still inspiring people like Rob to embark on projects which require such incredible making skills and dedication.”

– John Burningham’s Bedtime Stories is showing 7 October 2023 – 7 January 2024 at The Harley Foundation, North Nottinghamshire.

– Chitty Chitty Bang Bang will be at the gallery on Saturday 7 October, 10am-1pm.

– One lucky prize-draw winner will get a ride through the historic Welbeck estate in the iconic car, with a further three prizes to sit inside for a photo. See www.harleyfoundation.org.uk for details of how to enter.

– The exhibition is free to enter and there is a large, free car park. The gallery is open Tuesday – Sunday, 10am – 4pm. Closed Mondays.

– The Harley Foundation is on the Welbeck estate, on the A60 south of Worksop. It is 15 minutes from both the A1 and M1.

– This exhibition has been curated by Selina Skipwith with the support of the John Burningham Estate and Archive.