Keith Walker - Sammy Miller Motorcycle Museum
27th February 2026
In: News, Members' Articles
Sammy Miller Motorcycle Museum
Hidden in the New Forest near Bashley is the Sammy Miller Motorcycle Museum. The Museum is home to over 300 immaculately restored machines and is in Trust. The Museum first opened in 1964 but the current complex, which includes the essential cafe, opened in 2020.
Sammy Miller is now well over 90 years young and can be found working in the Museum’s restoration shop most days, or certainly every time I have visited. Miller has an impressive resume as a rider; 11 times British Trials Champion and twice European Trials Champion. He is winner of over 1300 Trials, 9 Gold Medals and the International Six Days Trial, as well as coming 3rd in the 1967 250cc Grand Prix. He has ridden the Isle of Man TT and numerous other events, In 2007 he was inducted into the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame.
As you walk around the collection one of the things that you keep finding yourself saying is ‘‘I have never heard of that make” There was a great number of motorbike manufacturers in the early days that did not survive. What is also evident is the ingenuity and skill of the designers and engineers involved. What happened?
The following images will hopefully give you a flavour of the place, and it is well worth a visit if you are ever holidaying in or near the New Forest.
All the photographs were taken on a Leica M10 / 35mm Summilux FLE.
Keith Walker
Addendum:
Don Morley knows Sammy very well and has taken hundreds of photographs of him since the 1950s. Don has kindly sent a few photographs from his remaining stock so we can show you this accomplished racer adding to Keith's photographs of Sammy's museum. You'll find them after Keith's photographs
Supercharged and Water Cooled
Racing Bikes
Nortons Get Their Own Room
My Friend Paul Doing His Thing
First Floor
Before Electrical Assistance
Don Morley's photographs
Sammy Miller 1957 Travers Trophy Trial
Leica 111f and 50mm f1.5 Summarit
Sammy Miller & His First Bultaco Sherpa C1965
Leica M 50mm f2.8 Elmar
Sammy Miller Gilera 500cc July 2024
Leica SL
Hidden in the New Forest near Bashley is the Sammy Miller Motorcycle Museum. The Museum is home to over 300 immaculately restored machines and is in Trust. The Museum first opened in 1964 but the current complex, which includes the essential cafe, opened in 2020.
Sammy Miller is now well over 90 years young and can be found working in the Museum’s restoration shop most days, or certainly every time I have visited. Miller has an impressive resume as a rider; 11 times British Trials Champion and twice European Trials Champion. He is winner of over 1300 Trials, 9 Gold Medals and the International Six Days Trial, as well as coming 3rd in the 1967 250cc Grand Prix. He has ridden the Isle of Man TT and numerous other events, In 2007 he was inducted into the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame.
As you walk around the collection one of the things that you keep finding yourself saying is ‘‘I have never heard of that make” There was a great number of motorbike manufacturers in the early days that did not survive. What is also evident is the ingenuity and skill of the designers and engineers involved. What happened?
The following images will hopefully give you a flavour of the place, and it is well worth a visit if you are ever holidaying in or near the New Forest.
All the photographs were taken on a Leica M10 / 35mm Summilux FLE.
Keith Walker
Addendum:
Don Morley knows Sammy very well and has taken hundreds of photographs of him since the 1950s. Don has kindly sent a few photographs from his remaining stock so we can show you this accomplished racer adding to Keith's photographs of Sammy's museum. You'll find them after Keith's photographs
Supercharged and Water Cooled
Racing Bikes
Nortons Get Their Own Room
My Friend Paul Doing His Thing
First Floor
Before Electrical Assistance
Don Morley's photographs
Sammy Miller 1957 Travers Trophy Trial
Leica 111f and 50mm f1.5 Summarit
Sammy Miller & His First Bultaco Sherpa C1965
Leica M 50mm f2.8 Elmar
Sammy Miller Gilera 500cc July 2024
Leica SL
Comments
By David Askham: An interesting photo-essay Ken. Is there Sunbeam there?
Next time you visited, try and capture, by agreement, a portrait of, and a few words from the founder. But don't leave it until it's too late! By Ken Davis: I agree with David, Keith, see if you can get some photos of Sammy to add to this fascinating story. By Alan Humphries: I really enjoyed your article Keith and the supporting photographs really give something of the atmosphere and has encouraged me put it on the list of visits when Barbara and I next visit family in Hythe.
Good to see Paul doing this stuff . By Cledwyn Lewis: I always enjoy Keith’s contributions to our website as I believe we share common interests.
Don’s added contributions are the icing on the cake.
I was a keen motorcyclist in the fifties and well remember Sammy Miller.
I must have seen countless photographs by Don but of course didn’t know him then.
Thank you both for rekindling some great memories. By David Askham: I thought Don might be tempted to add to Keith's story. Well done! It serves to illustrate the corporate strength of the membership of the Leica Fellowship. By Keith Walker: I really like Don's great shot of Sammy participating in a Trial. The concentration visible on his face is very evident!