James Bond Museum to open in Keswick

The world's first James Bond Museum in the world opens its doors this weekend

I find it hard to believe, with the fascination we have with all things Bond, that it has taken more than 50 years to open a museum dedicated to James Bond. But apparently, there is not a single one in the world – until now.

Opening its doors tomorrow (5/4/09) in Keswick, in the heart of the Lake District, is the first museum in the world dedicated to James Bond.

Cars are the main fascination for us (and I guess for most) and this new Bond Museum has a couple – but it doesn’t seem to have any of the real stars. It has got the Lotus Esprit Turbo from the Spy Who Loved Me (although not the submarine version) and it also has a Triumph Stag driven by Sean Connory in Diamonds are Forever (don’t remember that – my memory is of a Red Mustang and Jill St John!). It also has a T55 Battle Tank from Goldeneye and the original ‘Golden Gun’ from The Man with the Golden Gun (didn’t he have three nipples – or was that another villain?).

But there’s no mention of an Aston Martin – DB5 or DBS – nor any of the real iconic stuff. Still, I suppose that was too expensive for Keswick.

The guy who owns the museum (and also a ‘Stars Cars’ museum in the same town), Peter Nelson, said:

“When I was a boy I read the Ian Fleming books first of all, and they really captured my imagination.

And then I was introduced to the films and they blew me away. James Bond had that sophistication and glamour and humour, all those things that as a young boy you wanted in your life.”

So if you find yourself in the Lakes this weekend, or any other weekend, and the rain is endlessly falling (as it does 90% of the time) then toddle along to the James Bond Museum and recapture your youth.