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In the French language, Beaulieu directly translates as “beautiful place”, and it is easy to see why. Dating back to the 13th-century, this well-preserved village still boasts the honey-coloured stonework and cobbled streets that were built around the Abbey all those years ago.
After your day at Beauliau, treat yourself to a tasty meal at one of our Dorset restaurants close to the Jurassic Coast, where you can enjoy locally-sourced food, a welcoming atmosphere and a pint of real Butcombe beer.
Hurn, Christchurch, Dorset, BH23 6AS
Main Road, West Lulworth, Dorset, BH20 5RN
The Bridges, Ringwood, Hampshire, BH24 2AA
Linwood, Ringwood, Hampshire, BH24 3QY
41 Wimborne Road, Bournemouth, Dorset, BH2 6NB
After enjoying a wonderful day at Beaulieu, stop at one of our Dorset restaurants near the Jurassic Coast. Enjoy a delicious, locally-sourced, home-cooked meal, washed down with a pint of our award-winning Butcombe beer.
For a true taste of Dorset, visit the 16th century Castle Inn in Lulworth, close to popular Dorset attractions like Lulworth Cove, Tyneham Village, Bindon Hill, Durdle Door and Beaulieu.
Fresh, local, perfectly-cooked fish and seafood await you, along with pub classics and Sunday roasts, paired with award-winning Butcombe beers behind the bar.
Dine alfresco in the courtyard terrace, and bring your four-legged friend along with you!
Indulge with delicious, locally-sourced classic pub dishes at the Avon Causeway restaurant, just a stone’s throw away from the New Forest National Park and the famous village of Beaulieu.
Peckish for a light bite before exploring the Dorset countryside? Stop in to sample moreish pub snacks and nibbles, including pigs in blankets and Westcombe Cheddar and Butcombe ale rarebit. In the mood for a classic roast dinner before you jet-set from Bournemouth Airport? Start your holiday right with a Great British Sunday roast, with all the trimmings, and delicious vegan options for plant-based diets.
With its beautiful thatched roof, country-chic decor, and food and drink menu full of modern takes on British pub classics, The Fish Inn in Ringwood is a perfect place for a comforting meal or a light bite, with a pint of proper Butcombe beer, of course.
Stop by after exploring the beaches of Bournemouth, the New Forest National Park or the enchanting village of Beaulieu.
Whether you’re marvelling at the ponies of the New Forest, trekking across the majestic Cranborne Chase Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, or learning about the extensive history of Beaulieu, take a break in the country gastropub, the High Corner Inn.
With a menu chock-full of modern twists on pub classics, seasonal, locally-sourced dishes, kid-friendly options, a range of award-winning Butcombe beers behind the bar, and one of the best roast dinners in the South East, you’ll find something you love at the High Corner Inn.
Looking for somewhere to grab a bite to eat after exploring Bournemouth’s beautiful beaches? Maybe you are looking for something more substantial after exploring every inch of Beaulieu? Pop into The Pavilion Arms restaurant for hearty, comforting British classics like fish and chips, pie and mash, and the best roast dinner in Bournemouth – perfectly paired with a pint of award-winning Butcombe beer.
Kids are welcome, too, with a child-friendly menu of nutritious and delicious meals, and a welcoming, family-friendly atmosphere.
Beaulieu is a tiny, picturesque village that is positioned on the south bank of the Beaulieu River.
Although it is one of the smallest villages in the New Forest National Park, it is home to the National Motor Museum, Palace House and Beaulieu Abbey, which are the collective attractions that people are often referring to when visiting the 9,000 acre Beaulieu estate.
Like many of the villages nearby, Beaulieu has many New Forest ponies and donkeys wandering through its streets, which are often a favourite sight for the visitors!
Beaulieu River rises near the village of Lyndhurst in the heart of the New Forest National Park and flows south-easterly for 20 kilometres. Originally known as the River Exe, it has been owned outright by Lord Montagu of Beaulieu since 1724.
Once it passes Beaulieu, the river meanders through the famed ship-building hamlet of Bucklers Hard (which we will cover in more detail below) before it flows into the Solent.
Extremely popular with photographers, many visitors choose to walk different stretches of Beaulieu River in search of the various different species of wildlife on display, while admiring their natural habitat.
Located to the south of Beaulieu village is the small hamlet of Bucklers Hard, which is renowned for the shipbuilding that took place here in previous centuries.
Montagu Town (as it was then known) was built by John Montagu, the 2nd Duke of Montagu, in the early part of the 18th-century. The name was changed to Bucklers Hard soon after, with the “hard” part of the name believed to have been given due to the firm banks nearby, making them ideal for launching vessels. The close proximity to the New Forest meant that there would always be a plentiful supply of timber, making it the perfect location for shipbuilding.
Although the shipbuilding industry thrived throughout the 18th-century, it slowed down drastically during the 19th-century. Fast forward to today and Bucklers Hard is frequented by tourists and boasts a state-of-the-art marina, which is home to some of the finest boasts and yachts on the south coast.
If you ask people what Beaulieu is, many will undoubtedly know it as the home of the National Motor Museum.
With almost 300 of the world’s finest vehicles on display, it isn’t only car enthusiasts that will enjoy what the National Motor Museum has to offer. From 150 year old steam powered vehicles to cutting-edge exhibitions, there is something for all the ages here to admire. Visitors can explore the authentic workshop from the 1930s, learn about how vehicles have advanced through the years, before taking a sneak peak at how the future of travel might look in years to come.
Exhibitions are held regularly at the National Motor Museum, so we recommend checking their website before you visit.
Beaulieu Palace House is part of the Beaulieu estate and is one of the finest country houses in the United Kingdom.
Built in the 13th century and extended in the 16th and 19th centuries, Beaulieu Palace House has been under the ownership of the same family since 1538. To this day, it is the personal residence of Lord and Lady Montagu.
Much of the house is open to the public, with tour guides donning authentic costumes to show visitors around the Victorian Kitchen, Lord Montagu’s Library, Dining Hall and Portrait Gallery, among others. The Beaulieu estate is linked via monorail, allowing visitors ease of access to different areas of the site.
Beaulieu Abbey was commissioned by King John, with construction completed in 1204. Although it descended into disrepair following the dissolution of the monasteries, much of the ruin has been preserved to enable visitors to imagine what once stood here, and what now remains.
Of the buildings that did survive, what was formerly the Choir Monk’s Refectory is now Beaulieu Parish Church, and what was once the lay brothers’ dormitory is now home to the Domus & Monastic Life Exhibition. The former can be visited as long as services or private functions aren’t taking place, while the latter houses a permanent exhibition that tells the story of the Abbey from its beginning through to the present day.
As special events do take place quite frequently, we recommend checking the Beaulieu Abbey website prior to your visit.
Hatchet Pond covers 12 acres of water and is the largest freshwater venue in the whole of the New Forest National Park. Popular with anglers, it also attracts walkers, picnickers and nature lovers.
It is home to some of the rarest species of plants and animals in the United Kingdom and, as such, is designated as a Site of Special Scientific Interest and a Special Area for Conservation. In total, more than one-third of all wetland plant species can be found here, along with multiple different species of fish and various species of birdlife.
The popularity of Hatchet Pond has proven to be its worst enemy in recent years, with high levels of pollution threatening its existence. We recommend checking Forestry England’s website before your visit for the most up-to-date guidance.
Covering more than 2,000 acres, North Solent National Nature Reserve is one of the largest nature reserves in Hampshire. It stretches from the New Forest National Park through to the Beaulieu River estuary, providing shelter to both native and migrant birdlife.
Popular with walkers and dog walkers, there are many different routes that can be taken along the coast or inland, with valleys, highlands and heathlands all waiting to be explored. It is also a haven for photographers, eager to capture stills of the aforementioned birdlife, as well as the multitude of animals that can be found within the New Forest.
To remind our customers how much we appreciate them, we created the Butcombe Loyalty Club.
Turn points into pounds, enjoy 25% off food every Butcombe Wednesday, and receive extra rewards throughout the year.
To sign up, check your balance and more, head to our Loyalty Members area.
