Beaulieu

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The History of Beaulieu

The name Beaulieu is derived from the Latin "Bellus Locus" meaning beautiful place. The estate has been in Lord Montague's family since 1538 and has been a Motor Museum since 1952 and this is probably what most visitors come to see. As you wander through the village you will no doubt notice that some of the cottage doors are painted red whilst others are not. The red doored cottages signify that they still belong to the Montague Estate.

Beaulieu Abbey was founded in 1204 by Cistercian monks on land given to them by King John. Although much was destroyed at the time of the Dissolution of the Monasteries during the reign of Henry VIII, there is still much for visitors to see today. Palace House was formerly the 14th century Great Gatehouse of Beaulieu Abbey, and is set in glorious grounds and gardens with immaculate spreading lawns and walkways overlooking the Beaulieu River.

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