If you have already heard of Beaulieu, it is probably because it is home to the National Motor Museum, which was founded by the current Lord Montagu’s father in 1952. The Montagu family have owned the Beaulieu estate for almost 500 years.
The entrance to the Motor Museum is some way out of the village itself, but many people choose to leave their cars at the Motor Museum and walk into the village along the path provided beside the Beaulieu River.
A number of forest animals choose to spend at least some of their day in the village, but please remember that they are semi-feral and, for your own safety, should not be petted. Many will carry tics and lice which do not trouble them, but would trouble you.
There is a garage in the village specialising in classic cars. There is a small car park in the village, entered at the far side of the garage.
There is a definite style to the red brick buildings in centre of the village, with their unusual high-pitched cross gable roofs and tall chimneys.
With the Montagu Arms in front of you, you turn into the village’s main street, which is quite narrow and there are usually cars parked down both sides. The street boasts a wide range of independent shops and cafes, which are well worth exploring.
There is also the village school and a number of cottages. The many of the cottage doors in the village are painted in the Beaulieu Estate shade of red.
At the far end of the village, there is a garden centre, which includes the requisite shop and café.
Bucklers Hard maritime museum is a short drive from the village, or you can choose to take the 2 mile walk there, which starts from behind the Montagu Arms.
The lanes surrounding the village are often twisty. Expect to see forest animals on the road as they make their way into the village or back to open forest. Particularly in summer months this can cause traffic jams.
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