On Thursday, 1st September, visitors to Amberley Museum in Sussex can discover the thrills and secrets of the James Bond spy films.

Amberley Museum near Arundel in West Sussex had a starring role in the 1985 James Bond film A View to a Kill.

The film transformed the museum’s old chalk pits and quarry tunnel into the fictional Main Strike Mine.

Visitors to the special event on 1st September will be able to explore the historic filming location of the mine, and the magic of the movies will be captured with a chance to see the ‘Zorin’ locomotive and wagons that were used during the original filming.

As well as remembering the day by taking iconic photographs of the historic film props, visitors will also have the chance to take the controls of the locomotive and drive it themselves.

There will be guided tours throughout the day, but they will be limited to 20 places per session.

Tours start at 10.30 am, 1.30 pm, and 3.30 pm, and will take visitors on a fascinating tour behind-the-scenes to discover how Amberley’s chalk pits were transformed into a thrilling Bond film location nearly 40 years ago.

But the day is not restricted to learning about A View to a Kill, as speakers from the Shaken Not Stirred Fan Club will look at all things James Bond.

John Richardson, the Oscar-winning special effects supervisor, will share insights from his work on A View to a Kill and other legendary films such as Superman, Harry Potter, and Aliens.

Later in the afternoon, fans will also have the rare chance to learn about the behind-the-scenes magic with a Q&A session.

James Bond fans can also test their knowledge by competing for fantastic prizes to see who truly is the head of intelligence at Amberley at a For Your Answers Only James Bond quiz at 2.30 pm.

Of course, the James Bond films are famous for their Aston Martin cars, and the Aston Martin Club will allow car enthusiasts to enjoy a stunning display of the most impressive cars from the Bond series.

Throughout the day, there will be live themed music and refreshing drinks on the Limeburners Cafe terrace to add a touch of elegance to the celebration.

For die-hard fans or those just simply curious about the museum’s cinematic history, the day promises to be a thrilling and unforgettable experience.

With the limited number of tickets available, advance booking online is recommended to avoid disappointment. Full details are available via their website at https://www.amberleymuseum.co.uk/whats-on/james-bond-at-amberley/

This isn’t the first time the museum has held a James Bond-themed event, as in 2021, after being closed for five months it held a weekend event dedicated to the famous spy.

Last spring, the Spa Valley Railway hosted a comedy dinner experience that was a spoof of the James Bond film Live and Let Die with the ingeniously titled ‘Live and Let Dine’.