Beaulieu

	Beaulieu: Palace House and the mill pool

Beaulieu is located on the south-eastern edge of the New Forest, 12 kilometres (7½ miles) from Lyndhurst, and well lives up to Beaulieu Abbey’s original Anglo-Norman, Latinised name Bellus Locus Regis, ‘the beautiful place of the king’.

Indeed, Beaulieu has a strong claim to be amongst the most attractive, most pleasantly situated, most historically interesting of all the New Forest villages.

Visitors entering Beaulieu from an easterly direction – from Hythe and the A326 – pass first on the left, the picturesque Beaulieu River estuary, whilst Beaulieu’s 13th century parish church can be seen on the right, set well back from the road. The Beaulieu Abbey, Outer Gatehouse, a structure dating back to the 14th century, is beside the road as it swings left to enter the village, and beyond is Palace House, an imposing building that is the home of Lord and Lady Montagu.

Those coming into Beaulieu from the opposite direction - from Brockenhurst, Lymington or Lyndhurst – will first notice the large, reed-fringed tidal mill pool that dominates the north-western edge of the village. Situated where the Beaulieu River opens out into a quite wide estuary, the mill pool was created in medieval times by Beaulieu Abbey monks who built a damn to provide water power to drive their corn mill.

	Beaulieu Mill

The present, roadside mill building, sadly, was ravaged by fire in March 2006, and in late-2008 continues to stand as a badly damaged shell. But a peek through the cobweb encrusted windows reveals millstones still in place within the somewhat gloomy interior, offering hope of eventual, effective restoration.

Beaulieu’s narrow village street, High Street, is lined on either side by richly mellow, brick-built properties dating mostly from the 17th - 19th centuries. Many show on name or number plate, three vertically aligned diamonds boldly marked in red, denoting ownership by the Beaulieu Estate.

Shops are relatively few in number – this is a village of modest size – and include a post office and general store, delicatessen, garden centre, hair and nail studio, tea rooms, and a picture gallery featuring original works and limited edition prints of local and other subjects.

The Montagu Arms Hotel dominates Beaulieu’s main through route. Described as a luxury country house hotel, accommodation is available as well as a popular restaurant and bar.

	Beaulieu: a procession of ponies

Ponies and donkeys graze Beaulieu mill-pool’s grassy borders, whilst some animals loiter around the village car park, waiting hopefully to be fed by passers-by. Cattle can also often be seen nearby, roaming free, enjoying access to the village and surrounding common lands.

Beaulieu Abbey, Palace House and the National Motor Museum are well-visited attractions that offer the opportunity to walk around the Cistercian Abbey ruins and learn about the life of the monks; explore the historic stately home; view the extensive collection of motor cars and motoring memorabilia; and enjoy a variety of rides and drives.

The tiny hamlet of Buckler’s Hard is nearby. Situated amidst delightful scenery alongside the Beaulieu River, Buckler’s Hard allows visitors to experience life in an 18th century ship-building village, cruise on the river and enjoy woodland and riverside walks; whilst the Master Builder’s House Hotel offers a choice of food, drink and accommodation.

Bed and breakfast facilities are available within Beaulieu village and in a number of outlying properties. The nearest Forestry Commission camp sites are at Roundhill, 8 kilometres (5 miles) away on the Brockenhurst road; and at Denny Wood and Matley Wood, 9.5 kilometres (6 miles) distant on the road leading from Beaulieu to Lyndhurst.

References:
Hampshire Place Names: Richard Coates
The New Forest: Jack Hargreaves and Terry Heathcote
An Album of Old Beaulieu and Buckler’s Hard: Susan Tomkins