Beaulieu | Palace House

Beaulieu Palace House, Hampshire

Beaulieu is a popular tourist attraction and offers visitors with a range of attractions. There is a historic house, National Motor Museum, Abbey and Gardens ensuring there is something for everyone. Set in the New Forest in a scenic setting, visitors can see a number of attractions in one action packed day. Historic Palace House is a charming family house that dates back many centuries; the house has a number of impressive rooms and collections for visitors to see.

Attractions


Beaulieu is the home for the Palace House in Hampshire which is set in a wonderful location, in picturesque grounds and gardens overlooking the Beaulieu River. The house offers plenty of charm, the house has been in Montagu family ownership since back in 1538, it was then that Sir Thomas Wriothesley who would later become the 1st Earl of Southampton, bought the Estate after the Dissolution of the Monasteries.

The house has a range of fine collections for visitors to see along with a range of portraits, photographs, memorabilia and family items. The house is still lived in by the present Lord Montagu and his family making it very much a family home.

The house has a number of interesting rooms for visitors to explore one of these is the Entrance Hall, this room was used formerly in the 19th century as a billiard room, today there are pictures and artefacts relating to several generations of the family.

The Portrait Gallery was formerly a library, today it houses a number of portraits of the ancestors of the Montagu family. The portraits include one of 1st Earl of Southampton. The Dining Hall played a central role in entertaining during the 18th and 19th centuries, today the room is still in use by the family on special occasions such as for birthdays and at Christmas. The room can also be hired out for private functions.

The Victorian Kitchen was re-created in the original site, here visitors can learn more about what the Victorian family ate, the kitchen would have had a number of staff working in it given it took a number of staff to run a Victorian household.

The Private Dining Room was once know as the Oak Room due to the linen-fold panelling around the walls. The panels were salvaged from the House of Commons and each one is slightly different from the others. The room was originally a bedroom of the wife of the 1st Baron Montagu, Lord Henry.

Visitors can learn more about Victorian households and staff when staff give talks on their lives as servants on selected days providing a fascinating insight in to life as it was all those years ago.

Beaulieu Abbey was founded back in 1204 by Cistercian monks, it was located on land given to them by King John. There was much damage done to the Abbey during the Dissolution of the Monasteries period under King Henry VIII, however there is still plenty for visitors to see here. The 13th century Abbey stands as a great historical building and there is a film and exhibition visitors can see to learn more about the daily life of the Abbey's founders. Visitors can still mark out many of the main features of the Abbey today.

The National Motor Museum is one of the main attractions at Beaulieu attracting a large number of visitors, there are in excess of 250 vehicles on show that cover every motoring period.

The Gardens provide visitors with a range of gardens that have been looked after by several generations of the Montagu family. The gardens include the Victoria Flower Garden known for its fragrance and the Wilderness Garden known as an informal garden.

The Victorian Kitchen Garden has continued the tradition set over many years of supplying the House with seasonal fruit, vegetables and flowers. The centrepiece of the garden is the water feature, whilst the vine house is located at the rear of the garden where there is a dessert grape which has been producing fruit for over a century. There are also a number of other fruits that ripen here including plums, peaches and apricots.


How to Get There


The house can be accessed by both car and public transport:

By Car:

Beaulieu is located in the New Forest between Southampton and Bournemouth, it is approx 90 miles and the journey time is approx 2 hours to 2 hours 10 minutes. From London take the A4, then the M4 then the M25, at junction 12 take the M3 until the junction with the M27, drive until junction 3 of the M27 and exit on to the M271, drive until the roundabout and take the second exit on to the A35 Totton Bypass, at the next roundabout take the A326 continue along the A326 until the junction with the B3054, turn right on to the B3054 and keep driving until the entrance.

Drivers will also see the brown and white tourist signs in the area, if you see these follow these to the destination.

For those using Satellite Navigation systems the postcode is SO42 7ZN.

By Train:

From London Waterloo Station central London trains are available to Bockenhurst Station, which is located approx 6 miles from the site. The train journey time from London is approx 90 minutes. There are taxis available from the station to get to Beaulieu.

By Ferry:

From Southampton take the ferry to Hythe, there is a 5 mile bus ride to site. The bus number 112 takes visitors to the grounds of the site.

By Bus:

Wilts & Dorset buses offer local bus routes to the site, the route between Hythe and Lymington which drops visitors in the Beaulieu grounds, the bus number is 112.

Contact Details


Beaulieu
Brockenhurst
Hampshire
SO42 7ZN
United Kingdom

Telephone: +44 (0)1590 612345

Fax: +44 (0)1590 612624

email: info@beaulieu.co.uk

Website: Beaulieu

Facilities & Information


Opening Times:

Open from late May until end of September:

From 10.00 until 18.00 (Daily)

Open from October to late May:

From 10.00 until 17.00 (Daily)

NOTE: Is open Daily except on Christmas Day. Last admission is 30 before closing time.

Further Information:

Admission Prices:

Admission price covers entrance to the Palace House, National Motor Museum, Gardens and Beaulieu Abbey:

Adults: £16 approx, Children: £9 approx, Concessions £15 approx & Family Ticket: £43 approx

Facilities:

Leiths Brabazon Restaurant at Beaulieu offers visitors a range of refreshments and snacks. There are a range of sandwiches, salads and pasties and home made cakes.

There are picnic areas in the parkland where visitors can enjoy a picnic in scenic surroundings.

The gift shop offers a range of toys, small gifts, jewellery and motoring related items.

Map



View Larger Map

For Local Search and Directions see: Beaulieu Map

Tips & Other Considerations


There may be some variations on the opening hours depending on the time of year and other factors. It is recommended visitors double check before going to ensure the attraction you wish to see is open.

Follow travel safety tips and remain alert, vigilant and aware of your belongings at all times. Ensure valuables i.e. your wallet/purse are hidden away from public view. If you have a bag try to use a shoulder bag with a good quality, strong strap, that is put across your shoulder not on your shoulder making it more difficult for anyone to take your bag.

If you are travelling by car to the Beaulieu, ensure you are well prepared with maps and Sat Nav to aid your journey, particularly if you are not familiar with the local area and roads. Use the journey planner for door to door directions. Check the latest traffic updates before beginning your journey.

If you are travelling by public transport, check for service updates prior to beginning your journey for any delays, disruption or cancellations to services that may impact on your journey. Ensure you have the service timetables for the trains, buses and coaches. Remember when the last services are and ensure you make it to the train/bus/coach stops well in time.




AddThis Social Bookmark Button




Disclaimer: The information given in on this website is given in good faith and to the best of our knowledge. If there are any discrepancies in no way do we intend to mislead. Important travel details and arrangements should be confirmed and verified with the relevant authorities.
Copyright © 2024 Essential Travel Guide Ltd. All Rights Reserved. No part of this site may be reproduced in any form or by any means without our written permission.