About Beaulieu

The picturesque village of Beaulieu, close to Lymington and Lyndhurst at the head of the Beaulieu River, could be described as “the Historic Heart of the New forest”, its origins dating back to the 13th century and the days of King John. In the village of Beaulieu the visitor can find many attractions and places to visit, the gently sloping High street has an interesting variety of village stores, ranging from specialist gift and chocolate shops to art and craft. Beaulieu River provides an ideal location for a leisurely stroll or a place to relax beside for a picnic.

Things to Do and See in Beaulieu

• It is worth taking the time to wander through the village streets to browse the interesting shops and houses, which include antique shops, gift shops, a pottery and quaint little tea rooms. A picnic on the village green is invariably shared by the resident donkeys.
• The Beaulieu Estate comprises Palace House, Beaulieu Abbey and the National Motor Museum which is what most visitors probably come to see. The Collection comprises some 250 vehicles – including cars from racing and motorsport as well as early examples of motoring from the 1890s to legendary land-speed record holders such as Bluebird and Golden Arrow. The present Lord Montagu of Beaulieu is a well known motoring personality who founded the Museum, internationally recognised as one of the finest in the world.
• Pony Sales on the first Thursday of September, October, November, and December take place in the morning at Beaulieu Road Station, Beaulieu Road, between Lyndhurst and Beaulieu.
• Nearby are the maritime museum at Bucklers Hard as well as Exbury Gardens.

A Little Beaulieu History

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.

The abbey thrived until 1538 when, during the Dissolution of the Monasteries, Henry VIII ordered the destruction of the religious buildings beyond the possibility of restoration. Some buildings which could be put to secular use were allowed to remain.

Beaulieu passed into the ownership of the present Lord Montagu’s ancestor Sir Thomas Wriothesley and has been the ancestral home of the Montagu Family ever since, and remains thus to this day.

The 8,000 acre estate has been in the ownership of the Montagu Family for nearly 500 years.