Home › Comics › British Comics › Mottisfont’s “Beano Time Travellers Exhibition” attracts 45,000 visitors so far

Mottisfont’s “Beano Time Travellers Exhibition” attracts 45,000 visitors so far

By John Freeman on August 27, 2019

Rocket Licensing, the UK and Ireland licensing agent for Beano, has highlighted the success of a summer-long partnership with the National Trust and its themed family event at Mottisfont in Hampshire, which includes a giant Beano comic drawn by Nigel Parkinson.

Licensing.Biz reports The Beano Time Travellers Exhibition, which as we previously reported launched on 20th July at the former priory and country estate, has welcomed over 45,000 visitors so far. Running until 8th September, just as Beano itself reaches its 4000th issue this week, it’s a show for all ages, whose centrepiece is a five-room experience featuring 60 pieces of original artwork from the Beano archives and original Beano pop-art by Horace Panter.

The exhibition includes Beano covers and special editions charting the history of the comic, and a bespoke comic strip of Mottisfont itself – a giant frieze drawn by “Dennis” and Beano artist Nigel Parkinson, who attended the opening day, in which Beano kids go back in time to the former Priory.

Beano Time Travellers Comic by Nigel Parkinson

With behind the scenes secrets of comic creation revealed, vintage merchandise on display, dressing up (courtesy of Beano licensee Rubies), comics to read and an interactive Beano Time Travellers trail in the gardens, there’s no shortage of fun to be had!

Beano Bike on display at Mottisfont. Image: MottisfontNT

Beano Old Masters at Mottisfont

Fans of all ages have had great fun at the event, and have happily tweeted their delight.

Having a fantastic time at the Beano exhibition at Mottisfont! Anjelica, if you’re around for a bit today let’s do a quick chat on camera! pic.twitter.com/g11xN5Cui9

— devillefilm 📽️ (@devillefilm) July 20, 2019

Congratulations to @MottisfontNT on your brilliant @BeanoOfficial exhibition. Great to see the comic’s history explored, and to see artwork, ephemera, and the first issue #Beano #Mottisfont #NationalTrust pic.twitter.com/2rQjCvuKGa

— Martin R Polley (@HistoryMartin) July 29, 2019

This summer, the National Trust property @MottisfontNT near #Romsey is hosting a special exhibition dedicated to the history of the @BeanoOfficial @louhannan popped along for a look 🕵️‍♀️

Listen here 👇https://t.co/jgtJ4i3MoF

— BBC Radio Solent (@BBCRadioSolent) August 15, 2019

Rocket Licensing reports Beano comic averages a monthly readership of 400,000, and the success of Beano Studios, launched in 2016 to drive the brand into new markets while producing entertainment across a range of content including TV, digital and film.

“This wonderful display of artwork through the years and fun family trail has, unsurprisingly, been extremely well-received and this underlines the strength of the Beano brand,” says Rob Wijeratna, joint managing director of Rocket Licensing, “a strength that has now been translated into a thriving – and growing – licensing programme.

“This is an exciting time for one of the longest-running and most successful children’s brands, and its fans – of all ages.”

“It has been fantastic to partner with the National Trust for the Beano Time Travellers Exhibition,” added Angeles Blanco, director of global licensing at Beano Studios, “which is both a wonderful tribute to a British cultural icon and a vibrant celebration of a modern, vibrant entertainment property with reach across multiple media and wide-ranging licensing and retail success.”

• Beano Time Travellers! continues at Mottisfont, Hampshire Sunday 8th September 2019, 11.00am (outdoor trail available from 10.00am) – 5.00pm. Normal property admission price only (please note that peak price applies for non-members for the August bank holiday)

• For visitors unable to access the second floor gallery, Mottisfont have digital versions of exhibitions on iPads which are available on lower levels | Full details here on the National Trust web site | Follow Mottisfont on Twitter @MottisfontNT

John Freeman

The founder of downthetubes, which he established in 1998. John works as a comics and magazine editor, writer, and on promotional work for the Lakes International Comic Art Festival. He is currently editor of Star Trek Explorer, published by Titan – his third tour of duty on the title originally titled Star Trek Magazine.

Working in British comics publishing since the 1980s, his credits include editor of titles such as Doctor Who Magazine, Babylon 5 Magazine, and more. He also edited the comics anthology STRIP Magazine and edited several audio comics for ROK Comics. He has also edited several comic collections, including volumes of “Charley’s War” and “Dan Dare”.

He’s the writer of “Pilgrim: Secrets and Lies” for B7 Comics; “Crucible”, a creator-owned project with 2000AD artist Smuzz; and “Death Duty” and “Skow Dogs” with Dave Hailwood.