Beaulieu

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Whether it's enjoying a riverside picnic, exploring the charming High Street or visiting the incredible motor museum, the village of Beaulieu provides a great day out.

Situated at the head of the tidal Beaulieu River, the village dates back to the 13th century.

The village of Beaulieu initially grew up around the abbey which was founded in 1204 by Cistercian monks on land given to them by King John, who had a royal hunting lodge at Beaulieu. It was given the name of ‘Bellus Locus Regis’, or the beautiful place of the King. King John had quarrelled with the Cistercian Order early in his reign and decided to establish an Abbey to atone for his past oppressions. This generosity made him the subject of prayers in every Cistercian monastery.

For centuries, Beaulieu flourished as the monks traded goods and tended medicinal gardens (which can still be seen to this day at the Abbey).

The turning point of the Abbey came following Henry VIII's dissolution of the monasteries in the 1530s. The Abbey and surrounding estate were sold to the 1st Earl of Southampton, Thomas Wriothesley, in 1538 for the sum of £1,340. As religious buildings were being destroyed or defaced across the country, Beaulieu was also to be victim to this and the Abbey church, cloister and chapter house were destroyed. The refectory, domus and two of the gatehouses remained under the proviso that they were not to be used for religious purposes. The refectory is now known as Beaulieu Parish Church.

The Earl of Southampton was one of the present Lord Montagu's ancestors and the estate has remained with the family ever since. Wriothesley converted the former Great Gatehouse into a modest manor house. The estate developed over subsequent generations and included the development of Buckler’s Hard in the 1720s.

Things to do in Beaulieu

There are plenty of things to do in Beaulieu, from kayaking to some of our top museums, check out below to find your perfect way to spend your days in Beaulieu.

Beaulieu is probably best known as the home of the world-famous National Motor Museum. The museum houses more than 280 vehicles and includes legendary motor vehicles from all over the world, including the record-braking Bluebird. Permanent and temporary exhibitions add to your visit including the World of Top Gear, featuring vehicles from the popular BBC show.

Entry to the Motor Museum also gives you access to Beaulieu Abbey, where you can step back in history to the times of the monks and not forgetting Palace House, the home of the Montagu family. Here, costumed guides are on hand to give you the flavour of what life was like in Victorian times. Make sure you allow time to wander through the gardens and grounds including the colourful Victorian Kitchen Garden.

If you enjoy walking then why not follow the Beaulieu River path from the village down to Buckler’s Hard, you may even be lucky enough to spot a kingfisher on the way! This two mile walk (each way) takes in some of the tranquil scenery and wooded glades along the way. Buckler’s Hard is a pretty shipbuilding village which is well worth a visit in its own right. In the village you will find a pub, Maritime Museum and seasonal boat trips along the Beaulieu River.

Get active by participating in some exciting water sports along the Beaulieu River with New Forest Activities. Whether it be canoeing or kayaking or perhaps taking on the nearby high ropes course, there are lots of activities for all ages and abilities.

Head to Fairweathers Garden Centre, where you will find a beautiful array of flowers and find out which fruit, vegetables and herbs they are growing! After a wander around, enjoy a cup of tea or some delicious home cooked food in Steff’s Kitchen Cafe.

The village of Beaulieu, although not large, has an interesting variety of village stores, ranging from specialist gift shops including the popular Beaulieu Chocolate Shop to arts and crafts.

Just over a mile from Beaulieu, Hatchet Pond makes an ideal picnic spot. The pond is the largest area of fresh water in the New Forest and is also a popular area for course fishing. Or why not make the short trip to Exbury Gardens & Steam Railway, home to the Rothschild Collection of rhododendrons, azaleas and camellias?

Events in Beaulieu

Lots of fantastic events take place throughout the year in Beaulieu. The Beaulieu National Motor Museum, and its associated attractions stage many of these events including car meets, autojumbles, living history days, theatrical performances and family fun. Look out for themed events during the school summer holidays and over Christmas too.

Elsewhere, New Forest Activities offer a variety of dates for hands-on days including bush craft or afternoon tea paddles. For more sedate activities, why not look at the Montagu Arms’ calendar of events which ranges from floristry workshops to pamper days.

Keep an eye on our what’s on pages for details of up and coming events in and around Beaulieu.

Places to stay in Beaulieu

Beaulieu is home to some great places to stay, such as beautiful hotels and other types of accommodation too...

Right in the heart of the village of Beaulieu you will find the Montagu Arms Hotel. The hotel offers log fires and plenty of charm. It is also home to a three AA rosette restaurant where you can enjoy fine dining in a picturesque location.

A couple of miles down the road at Buckler’s Hard you can stay right in the heart of the village at The Master Builder’s House Hotel, offering guests affordable luxury.

Use the search box on this page to find your ideal accommodation based on dates, accommodation type and facilities that you require.

Where to eat and drink in Beaulieu

There are some amazing places to eat in and around the village including tea rooms, restaurants and inns. Monty’s Inn is a wonderful pub to head to, or go next door to The Montagu Arms, where you can dine in the restaurant or relax in their beautiful garden. There are other delicious pubs located just outside of Beaulieu too, such as The Royal Oak and The Drift Inn.

Some cafes & tearooms you will want to try out are Steff's Kitchen at Fairweather's and also Captains Cabin Tea Rooms located at Buckler's Hard.

Getting to Beaulieu

Beaulieu is a short drive from nearby Southampton and is easily accessed from the M27 and A35.

The nearest mainline train station to Beaulieu is at Brockenhurst. There are regular trains from London Waterloo. Alternatively, there is a limited bus service between Hythe and Lymington which stops at either the entrance to the Beaulieu National Motor Museum or in the village.

Highlights

The Drift Inn

Open all day, every day for breakfast, lunch and dinner, The Drift Inn serves modern British…

Exbury Gardens & Steam Railway

Now more than 100 years old, Exbury Gardens is a spectacular collection of woodland, herbaceous,…

Steff's Kitchen

When you visit our café you can be sure of a warm and friendly welcome. All the food we serve is…

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Montagu Arms Hotel

Beaulieu
Awards
- Other Awards Book Direct 2019
A charming 17th Century hotel (former coaching inn) in the picturesque village of Beaulieu offering effortlessly intuitive service with inviting comfort and a stunning award-winning restaurant.
Special Offers
- VALENTINE'S BREAKS NEW FOREST
  Escape to a luxurious hideaway in the New Forest this Valentine's Day.
  The historic coaching inn, steeped in 17th century history, offers traditional English charm at its very best - The perfect setting for a truly romantic Valentine's break.
  Curl up on our large cosy sofas in front of roaring log fires, enjoy only the finest cuisine at our 3 AA rosette Terrace Restaurant and while away the hours with picturesque riverside and forest walks. Alternatively, indulge in the relaxing and invigorating facilities of the award winning SenSpa, only a stone’s throw away at our sister hotel Careys Manor.
  Choose from our exquisitely furnished suites, with traditional four poster beds and a whole host of added treats to make your stay as romantic and luxurious as possible.
  Your Valentine's Break Includes:
  Overnight accommodation in one of our romantic luxury bedrooms. Half bottle of champagne and chocolates in your room A delicious gourmet 7 course 'Valentine's' tasting menu at The Terrace New Forest breakfast Use of the health club facilities (sauna, steam room, jacuzzi and gym) at Cares Manor Hotel in Brockenhurst
  From £339 per room
  More offers like this - Hotels Special Offers
- Forest to Fork Dining Break
  Experience the flavour of the forest with our Forest to Fork Dining Break special offer - From £249 per room
  Includes:
  Half-bottle of Taittinger champagne in your room on arrival Luxury overnight accommodation for 2 guests sharing a double bedroom 5 course tasting menu in The Terrace Restaurant* Full New Forest Breakfast (can be served in your room at no extra cost) Free New Forest A-Z to help you explore the beautiful surroundings
  BOOK ONLINE
  Terms & Conditions: Special offer from Monday - Friday from 2nd December 2019 - 31st March 2020. Excludes Christmas, Twixmas, New Year, Valentines and bank holidays. Prices are per room based on 2 adults sharing a room. Single bedrooms are available at a £59.50 supplement.
  *The Terrace restaurant is closed Monday evenings
  More offers like this - Hotels Special Offers
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Montagu Arms Hotel Wedding Ceremony Venue

The Montagu Arms Hotel is set in the picturesque and historic village of Beaulieu, this 17th century country house hotel provides an intimate and exclusive setting for your wedding in the New Forest where romance and history entwine.

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TripAdvisor Traveller Rating
1178 reviews
The Master Builder's House Hotel

Beaulieu Estate

The Master Builder’s Hotel is located on Lord Montagu's Beaulieu Estate in the New Forest, and just a few minutes' drive from Beaulieu Palace House and National Motor Museum.

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TripAdvisor Traveller Rating
6332 reviews
National Motor Museum Beaulieu

Beaulieu featuring the world famous National Motor Museum, Palace House home of the Montagu family and Abbey Ruins containing an exhibition of monastic life.

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The Drift Inn

Near Lyndhurst

Open all day, every day for breakfast, lunch and dinner, The Drift Inn serves modern British classics, handmade burgers, deliciously nutritious dishes and tempting daily specials. Boasting extensive gardens and two children’s outdoor play areas,…

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TripAdvisor Traveller Rating
1160 reviews
Exbury Gardens & Steam Railway

Southampton

Now more than 100 years old, Exbury Gardens is a spectacular collection of woodland, herbaceous, contemporary, formal and wildflower gardens. At over 200 acres, these impressive gardens (created and managed by the Rothschild family) border the…

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TripAdvisor Traveller Rating
547 reviews
Steff's Kitchen

Beaulieu

When you visit our café you can be sure of a warm and friendly welcome. All the food we serve is home cooked. From warm scones straight out of the oven to hearty soups, everything is freshly prepared.

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National Motor Museum Conference Venue

Beaulieu

Our purpose-built Lecture Theatre seats up to 220 guests. With a full range of projection facilities including Wi-Fi, it is the ideal setting for a presentation or conference.

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Beaulieu Supercar Weekend

Beaulieu

Join us for the Beaulieu Supercar Weekend; the must-see family spectacular that brings some of the world's most exclusive and desirable motors to Beaulieu.
See displays of prestigious supercars and hear their distinctive engine notes as they…

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Spring Autojumble

Beaulieu

Sister to the iconic and world-famous International Autojumble, the Spring Autojumble is perfect for those with an existing project looking for parts, looking for your next project and of course motoring enthusiasts.
With over 1000 of stands and…

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International Autojumble

Beaulieu

Join us for the International Autojumble on 5th & 6th September; the biggest outdoor sale of motoring items this side of the Atlantic.
With over 2000 stands at this signature Beaulieu event, each one groaning with all kinds of vintage and classic…

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New Forest Classic Car Hire

Beaulieu

New Forest Classic Car Hire provides a unique self drive experience across the New Forest.

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Spring Flower Arranging Workshop

Beaulieu

The Montagu Arms is hosting a one-day workshop, with professional floristry tips from Florist, Mala Williams.
You will learn all about creating a beautiful Spring flower arrangement to take home or give as a special gift.

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Christmas Canoe Paddle with New Forest Activities

Brockenhurst

Join New Forest Activities for a festive paddle on the Beaulieu River this Christmas. Enjoy a 90 minute guided tour of the river's beautiful nature reserve, with the river offering up some of its more stunning sights on a fresh Winter's day.…

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Fireworks Spooktacular

Beaulieu

One of the largest firework displays in the south on Saturday 31st October, choreographed to music with a range of entertainment for the whole family.
Be wowed by an incredible fireworks display set to a top-secret playlist based on a Spooktacular…

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Montagu Arms Hotel Conference Residential Venue

The Montagu Arms Hotel is a luxury AA 4 star meetings venue in the heart of the New Forest. You will find our location and facilities provide the perfect venue for meetings and seminars for up to 60 delegates.

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Leith's at Beaulieu Wedding Reception Venue

Beaulieu

Located in the heart of the New Forest, which stretches across seven thousand acres of historic heath and woodland. The idyllic surroundings of the forest and tranquil Beaulieu River create a unique setting for your wedding.

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The Master Builders House Hotel Wedding Ceremony Venue

With beautiful views over the Beaulieu River and set at the end of the grassy street that is Buckler's Hard village, it is difficult to imagine a more picturesque setting for a hotel on the whole of the south coast of England.

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TripAdvisor Traveller Rating
547 reviews
Fairweather's Garden Centre

Beaulieu

Using passion and expertise Fairweather’s have created a unique Plant and Garden Centre in the heart of Beaulieu.

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VW T Chill

Beaulieu

Back by popular demand, all VW Transporter owners are invited to drive into Beaulieu and park up within the museum complex for VW T Chill! It promises to be a superb weekend for VW Transporter owners and enthusiasts.
Sunday visitors to Beaulieu…

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