This calm riverside village has free-roaming ponies and donkeys, a 280-vehicle motor museum, and 13th-century Palace House with medieval abbey ruins beside the Beaulieu River.
In Beaulieu, New Forest ponies and donkeys wander freely through the streets of this riverside village. You'll find Sir Malcolm Campbell's record-breaking Bluebird car at the National Motor Museum, walk through medieval abbey ruins, and explore a 13th-century Palace House. Take a kayak down the Beaulieu River, follow walking trails to the shipbuilding village of Buckler's Hard, or stop at local chocolate makers and craftspeople working in centuries-old buildings.
National Motor Museum
More than 280 vehicles fill this museum's halls, from vintage motorcycles to Formula 1 racers. The speed record collection includes Sir Malcolm Campbell's 1920 Sunbeam 350hp and the 1929 Irving-Napier Special 'Golden Arrow'. Walk through the World of Top Gear to see actual vehicles from the TV show, including the Reliant Rocket and hand-built amphibious cars. The Secret Army Exhibition tells the stories of spies who trained at Beaulieu during World War II.
Palace House and Abbey
Built in 1204 as Beaulieu Abbey's gatehouse, Palace House grew with Gothic additions in the 16th and 19th centuries. Walk through the Portrait Room to see Montagu family paintings and visit the Dining Hall, originally a monastic inner hall. In the abbey ruins next door, you'll find the original medicinal garden layout where Cistercian monks grew herbs. The front gardens spread across former abbey grounds, with seasonal flowers and trimmed hedges.
Walking and River Activities
Follow the riverside path from Beaulieu village to Buckler's Hard - a two-mile walk through oak woodlands where kingfishers nest near the water's edge. New Forest Activities runs guided canoe and kayak trips on the Beaulieu River. To explore further, rent a vintage car from New Forest Classic Car Hire and drive through the surrounding woods and heaths.
Village Center
Historic buildings along the main street house independent shops, including a working chocolate maker and local artisans. The village calendar includes regular car meets, autojumbles, theater performances, and historical reenactments. Stop for lunch at Monty's Inn for British food and local beer, or dine in The Montagu Arms' garden restaurant.
Getting to Beaulieu
Catch one of 20 daily trains to Beaulieu Road station (4 miles away) on the London-Weymouth line. Drive via the M27 and A35, or take the summer open-top New Forest Tour bus running hourly. The Wilts & Dorset bus 112 connects to Hythe and Lymington.
Local Stories
Many visitors to Palace House report unusual experiences, from mysterious footsteps to unexplained noises. The most frequent sightings include a monk in traditional robes and the "Lady in Blue" - believed to be Lady Isabella, Countess of Beaulieu, who died in 1786. Staff have reported seeing her walking through walls in the private apartments.