Commemorative wall plaques are usually found outside the homes of legendary musicians or other famous figures. This time, though, it’s not a person but a piece of motorcycle history being honoured: a World Origin Site plaque now marks the original British Royal Enfield factory in Redditch.
The unveiling, which took place in Enfield’s 125th anniversary year, was hosted by TV’s Richard Hammond and Redditch mayor Susan Eacock at the Hunt End Works site on Enfield Road. The event was attended by Enfield staff, fans and Riders Club members, and featured a special display of Royal Enfield motorcycles. A line-up of classic models, from the modern ‘Project Origin’ replica of Royal Enfield’s first motorcycle launched in 1901 to a fully restored first edition 1932 Bullet, highlighted the brand’s title as the oldest motorcycle brand in continuous production, with a legacy spanning 125 years. The display was rounded off by the 2026 Royal Enfield Classic 650 125th Anniversary Edition, bringing the story right up to date.
Richard Hammond (above) said: “My heart lies with two wheels; motorbikes are my private passion, and as a local boy by birth, growing up nearby to this area, it’s a great pleasure to mark this World Origin Site celebrating Royal Enfield; a longstanding, proud brand that rings with familiarity around the world and continues to honour the workers that laid the foundations here in Redditch.”
The founder of the World Origin Site project, Martin Wilkie, said: “It’s just a wall in Redditch today, but 125 years ago, somebody did something that changed the world, and we’re here to mark the exact spot.”