Beaulieu Village

Plan a visit to this "lovely place" voted one of the prettiest in the UK!

The romantic village of Beaulieu is situated on the southern bank of the Beaulieu River, at the head of the tidal section. Dating back to medieval times, when the Abbey was founded in 1204 by Cistercian monks on land given to them by King John, Beaulieu really is the historic heart of the New Forest. The name Beaulieu (pronounced bew-ley) is French in origin, and translates roughly as “lovely place”.

Visitors to the area might be tempted to focus solely on the famous Beaulieu attraction which houses the National Motor Museum, Palace House and Beaulieu Abbey. But to do so would mean missing out on one of the most picturesque villages in the UK! In 2021 the village was voted the third prettiest village in the UK by FBM Holidays and earlier this year The Telegraph listed the Beaulieu as one of the 'poshest' places in the country using data provided by Savills, remarking “it is chocolate-box pretty with a period high street boasting artisan stores while being on the doorstep of both the New Forest and Buckler’s Hard.” A little-known fact is that Rod Stewart allegedly met Maggie May in Beaulieu village some years ago whilst attending the old Beaulieu Jazz Festival!

Be sure to include a visit to Beaulieu village when visiting the New Forest National Park, Beaulieu attraction and the surrounding area. Explore the charming High Street where you’ll find boutiques, cafés and restaurants - plus an excellent garden centre with an inspirational learning garden by Patrick Fairweather, who won RHS Plant of the Year 2023 at Chelsea Flower Show!

Enjoy leisurely walks along the Beaulieu River and stunning views across Mill Pond to Palace House, home of Lord and Lady Montagu. Since there are no cattle grids on the High Street, New Forest ponies and donkeys are free to wander throughout the village, making a great photo opportunity! 

A highlight of the Beaulieu Village calendar is the traditional annual fête which takes place in the gardens of Palace House - this year’s Beaulieu Village Fête is taking place on Saturday 15th July - find details here!

Discover Beaulieu: a wander around the Village

Bellford and Brown

Chefs Jason Bellord and James Brown have over 20 years of experience in restaurants all over Britain and Europe. Sharing a kindred love of high-quality, seasonal produce, the duo purvey top-quality fruit and vegetables in delivery boxes, along with foraged goods, dairy and larder supplies to commercial and domestic customers. Their shop in Beaulieu High Street doubles as a café serving breakfast, lunch and snacks throughout the day.

Norris 1876

One of Beaulieu village's oldest shops, visit Norris for clothing, gifts, books and furnishings. A true Aladdin's cave of delightful goods, many handmade locally in the New Forest National Park. Open daily: Monday-Saturday 10am-5pm, Sundays 10am-4pm.

Steff's Kitchen and Steph To Go

Steff's Kitchen has inside and outside seating: booking is advisable as it is very popular! Enjoy a freshly cooked breakfast or delicious homecooked lunch, using locally sourced produce and fruit and vegetables from their own productive vegetable garden Patrick's Patch (over the road) it really is home cooking at its best. Homemade cakes and desserts are a must to try or take home for later.

A new addition to Fairweather's is Steff's To Go, a takeaway located opposite. Using the same passion for local produce as Steff's Kitchen, Steff's To Go offers delicious coffees, breakfast baps, toasties, salads, sausage rolls, baguettes, cakes, scones and more. 

Find out more about Steff's Kitchen here.

Fairweather's Garden Centre

Fairweather's Garden Centre is a unique plant and garden centre: a rare independent garden centre owned and managed for 60 years by the Fairweather family. Browse the wide range of plants in the large outdoor plant area, backed up by expert advice and a 5-year guarantee on all hardy plants sold. Inside, the shop is well stocked with a wide range of tools, seeds, gifts, treats and fabulously fragranced candles. Fairweather's is a keen supporter of 'shop local' and sells products from local small businesses from in and around the New Forest. Fairweather’s is the largest grower of Agapanthus in the UK and has a collection of over 300 cultivars approved as a National Collection. In 2023 Fairweather's won RHS Plant of the Year at the Chelsea Flower Show with Agapapanthus Blackjack. Every July there is a special 'Agapanthus Festival' to celebrate and showcase these stunning blooms. 

Find out more about Fairweather's Garden Centre here.

Patrick's Patch

Opposite the Garden Centre, Patrick Fairweather and his team have created a beautiful learning garden. It is a space where you can wander freely to gain inspiration. The Potting Shed Club meets in Patrick’s Patch every month, aimed at teaching primary school-aged children about gardening and wildlife. 

Find out more about Patrick's Patch here.

Belle & Blossom

Artisan florist, creator of stunning fresh floral bouquets and displays to suit any occasion, with the individual in mind. With a keen eye for the most beautiful flowers, Belle & Blossom uses artistic flair and extensive knowledge to choose the healthiest seasonal flowers and foliage to ensure your display lasts as long as possible, enhancing them with natural materials to provide a stunning finished article full of fragrance and personality.

Bellalocus

A unique curation of beautiful furnishings and gifts, many of which are handmade in Beaulieu. Artisan products from around the world combine with gorgeous items locally produced in the New Forest - including handcrafted wood products expertly made by Paul and high-quality soft furnishings and fabric goodies lovingly made by Ann, a seamstress for 34 years. 

Queensmead Shop 

 A village shop selling a selection of local, handmade goods, sweets and gifts.

The Beaulieu Bakehouse

Once the "Old Bakehouse Tea Rooms" and now a part of Pallets, the Beaulieu Bakehouse serves great local and seasonal food, for breakfast, brunch and lunch in a warm and inviting environment. 

Beaulieu Chocolate Studio

Hand-made chocolates have been a part of Beaulieu village since the early 1980′s, with the Chocolate Studio located here in what was once the village patisserie since 2006. One half of the shop is the workshop where you can watch the chocolate-making process through a large viewing window. Beaulieu Chocolate Studio now makes a range of over 30 filled chocolates, with new flavours added all the time, and a wide range of original chocolate bars and gifts. Owner Trevor Smith is from the New Forest, but his ideas for the Chocolate Studio originated in France, where he lived for eight years and trained as a baker and chocolatier, set up his own bakery in the Loire Valley and perfecting the art of chocolate-making.

Beaulieu Fine Art

View a wide variety of affordable art from established and up-and-coming artists on display in five gallery rooms. Over 35 years, Vicky and Andy Roberts have curated an excellent mix of mediums and styles and there is always something new to discover. Expert framing by Andrew Halliday (Guild Certified Framer with the Fine Art Trade Guild) 

Pallets Tea & Coffee House

Over 30 years ago Grandma Brenda opened a little shop as "Sheer Elegance Flowers Of The Forest", a gift shop brimming with delightful trinkets, treasures and flower arrangements. The shop has now been transformed by Grandson Dom into a cosy and quant coffee shop, where nearly all the furnishings are upcycled out of old pallet wood. Enjoy great food, locally sourced, for breakfast, brunch and lunch in a warm and inviting environment.

Monty's Inn

Monty's Inn is relaxed and easygoing with wood-panelled walls and wooden floors in a cosy, country pub setting. Muddy paws, wellies and families are welcome! With a focus on local, seasonal and hearty food, dishes on the menu range from pub classics to amazing cuts of steak. 

Find out more about Monty's Inn here.

The Montagu Arms Hotel with The Terrace Restaurant

The ultimate in luxury, this elegant 18th Century country house hotel with its roaring log fires, picturesque gardens and sumptuous bedrooms is perfect for weekend breaks, a romantic getaway, lavish weddings and corporate events. The Montagu Arms has been voted Hampshire Restaurant of the Year by Which? Good Food Guide and one of the Telegraph’s Top 50 Summer Restaurants in Britain by Jasper Gerard. 

Find out more about The Montagu Arms Hotel here.

Within the hotel, The Terrace restaurant serves up the very best seasonal, regional produce with passion, crafted with care and served exquisitely. All dishes are showcased ultimately on the plate with spectacular produce straight from the restaurant’s organic kitchen garden, from across the New Forest, Hampshire and Dorset.

Find out more about The Terrace here. 

Discover Beaulieu: things to do

New Forest Activities

Based in Beaulieu, New Forest Activities offers a wide range of safe land and water activities for couples, families and groups of all ages. From their base at Baileys Hard, join them for a paddle on the stunning Beaulieu River as part of a guided tour. Opt for one of their stable ‘Canadian Style’ canoes with space for the whole family or for something a little more adventurous jump into one of their kayaks and take to the water as you learn about and discover the Beaulieu Nature Reserve. For the more advanced, explore the Hampshire and Dorset coastlines on one of the highly popular sea kayaking courses.

New Forest Activities also offers BattleZone laser tag in the forest, and, depending on the time of year, archery, high ropes and woodland adventures. We highly recommend you call New Forest Activities on 01590 612377 for the best deals, early booking offers, and even exciting last-minute plans - a whopping 50% off is available on some activities, some of the time. 

Find out more about New Forest Activities here.

Countryside Education Trust

The Countryside Education Trust’s mission is to connect people with the countryside. Based in Beaulieu on a beautiful working farm, it hosts a myriad of educational and learning activities for adults and children, including monthly "Little Owls" sessions for children. Look out for seasonal open days, where all are welcome to visit the farm to discover more about farming and the countryside. In addition to Home Farm, the Countryside Education Trust also owns a treehouse in beaulieu woodland, which is available for private hire - perfect for weddings and parties.

Find out more about the Countryside Education Trust here.

Music at Beaulieu 

A charitable trust, Music at Beaulieu arranges concerts each year at Beaulieu Abbey Church, providing excellent accessible music from classical to jazz and offering a platform for young as well as established world-class musicians.

Buckler's Hard

A scenic 2-mile walk along the Beaulieu River takes you to Buckler's Hard, once a thriving shipbuilding village where ships for Nelson's fleet at Trafalgar were built. Today Buckler's Hard is a tranquil haven, perfect for escaping the hustle and bustle of modern life. The grounds of Buckler's Hard village, Shipwright's Cottage, St Mary's Chapel, and The Captain's Table are free for everyone to visit. Visit the Buckler's Hard Museum to follow the development of this fascinating village, the story of its ships, and the residents who lived and worked here - tickets for the Buckler's Hard Museum can be purchased on arrival.

Beaulieu's National Motor Museum, Palace House and attraction

With over 280 vehicles in its collection, the National Motor Museum tells the story of motoring on the roads and circuits of Britain, from pioneering origins to the present day. From the earliest motor carriages to classic family saloons, displays include land speed record holders, motorcycles, and a rustic 1930s country garage. Visit the World of Top Gear, the new Motopia? Past Future Vision exhibition and numerous motoring events throughout the year.

Included in your entry is the Victorian-styled Palace House, home to the Montagu family since 1538, which is bursting with character and adorned with family treasures and memorabilia. Visit the gardens, let off steam in the Little Beaulieu playground and discover Beaulieu's role as a top-secret training establishment for special agents of the Special Operations Executive (SOE) during World War Two.

Find out more about the Beaulieu attraction here.