Beaulieu
Situated at the head of the Beaulieu River, the charming village of Beaulieu is home to the National Motor Museum. Dating back to the 13th century, the village grew up around the abbey, founded in 1204 by Cistercian monks on land given to them by King John.
Following Henry Vlll’s dissolution of the monasteries in the 1530s, Beaulieu passed into the ownership of the present Lord Montagu’s ancestors.
Beaulieu is a guaranteed great family day out. In the National Motor Museum, see over 250 stunning vehicle, from family cars of the 30s & 40s and classic cars of the 70s & 80s through to rare motoring oddities such as a giant orange on wheels and children’s favourite, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang.
New this year is Driving Change, Beaulieu’s interactive display with a talking crash test dummy in the National Motor Museum. The display tells the story of motoring innovations, technology and safety throughout history and makes predictions about alternative power for the future.
For Britain & For The Hell Of It features Beaulieu’s iconic Land Speed Record cars accompanied by a moving audio-visual presentation telling the story of British Land Speed Record achievement, and The Motorcycle Story takes you on a journey through motorcycling history. Jack Tucker’s Garage recreates the sights, sounds and smells of a typical country garage from the 1930s while Wheels - a space-age pod ride - is a fascinating journey through 100 years of motoring.
Motorsport display areas, Grand Prix Greats and Road, Race and Rally, feature F1, rallying, trials and drag racing exhibits. On Screen Cars has a display of TV and film favourites including Del Boy’s Reliant Regal from BBC sitcom Only Fools and Horses, the flying Ford Anglia from Harry
Beaulieu
Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, and Wallace and Gromit’s Anti-Pesto Van. In the World of Top Gear see the vehicles created by presenters Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond and James May for some of their most ambitious challenges over the years.
Visitors have a fun birds-eye view of the grounds and Beaulieu’s sights when they ride the high-level, Monorail or replica 1912 open-topped London Bus. Budding drivers can get in the driving seat on Dipstick’s Driving Circuit, while younger visitors can get physical on the Mini Motor PlayTrail.
Visit Palace House and talk to costumed guides about life in a Victorian country house. In 13th century Beaulieu Abbey see a film presentation and exhibition of the daily life of its Cistercian Monk founders. Don’t miss Secret Army, an exhibition telling the story of the Special Operations Executive (SOE) which trained secret agents at the Beaulieu ‘Finishing School’ during WWll.
Just a few miles from Beaulieu you arrive at Buckler’s Hard, on the banks of the Beaulieu River, once a thriving shipbuilding village where ships for Nelson’s fleet at Trafalgar were built. The Maritime Museum reveals the story of this unique village, bringing to life the characters that lived here at the time of Henry Adams, the Master Shipbuilder at Buckler’s Hard during the 18th century.
Visit the Labourer’s and Shipwright’s cottages to see how families lived in the village in the early 1800s. Join the River Cruise, operating between Easter and the end of October, which transports you on a tranquil journey along the river, revealing the abundant wildlife that inhabits its riverbanks (separate charges apply). Then visit the Captain’s Cabin Tea Rooms which serves a range of light refreshments and drinks, including delicious cream teas, throughout the day.
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The Tourist Handbook Wessex 2016-17
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