A London Day Trip With Something for Everyone:
A visit to Beaulieu, a country house in the New Forest, is a great day trip from London that is jam packed with things to see and do. It is home of the National Motor Museum, offers a look at Victorian upstairs-downstairs life in a manor house, has a beautiful garden, the ruins of a 13th century abbey, a restaurant, outdoor amusements for children and lots more.
Oh, and contrary to the French spelling (and much to the consternation of French visitors!) Beaulieu has the very English pronunciation of byoo-lee.
Beaulieu Day Trip Essentials:
- Where: In the New Forest between Bournemouth and Southampton in the South of England.
- Address: Brockenhurst, Hampshire SO42 7ZN
- Directions: See Getting here for maps and public transport options.
- Open: Every day except Christmas. 10:00am to 5:00pm Oct. to mid May; to 6:00pm mid May through Sept.
- Admission: One ticket covers all attractions.
- Adults - £15.50
- Children 13–17 - £9.25
- Children 5–12 - £8.25
- Family ticket £42.25
- Green option: Arrive by public transportation, present your travel tickets on arrival and enjoy a significant discount.
- Telephone: +44 (0)1590 612345
- Visit their website
The National Motor Museum at Beaulieu:
Beaulieu is not your average stately home. Its National Motor Museum, with 250 vehicles representing every motoring era and an important research library, is internationally famous. The collection includes international record breakers, film and television cars and oddities - like a giant orange on wheels.
Check out a list of vehicles in the collection
Special exhibitions at the Motor Museum include:
- The Art of Custom Creative motor makeovers
- Jack Tuckers A fully-equipped 1930s garage
- Wheels A trip from the stone age to the space age
- Ducati Superbikes The largest collection of Ducatis outside Italy.
Palace House :
Once the 13th century Great Gatehouse of Beaulieu Abbey, Palace House has been in the Montagu family since 1538, right after the dissolution of the monasteries in England. It is still the current Lord Montagu's family home.
Inside, find magnificent rooms, furnished with nearly 500 years worth of collections - treasures, paintings and memorabilia.
The staff, in Victorian dress - butler, cook and housemaids as well as real Victorian characters - bring the upstairs/downstairs, 19th century world of Beaulieu to life for visitors.
Beaulieu Abbey:
Could it be haunted? Maybe. It's said that ghosts have been seen and heard in the ruins of this abbey, founded by Cistercians in 1204 on land given by King John. Today, you can stroll the cloisters, visit an herb garden, view an exhibition about monastic life in the 13th century and admire tapestries created by the current Lady Montagu.
The Beautiful Place:
Whether you pronounce it the French or the English way, the name Beaulieu means beautiful place. The estate's gardens, looked after by generations of the same family, live up to the name. Don't miss a stroll through:
- The Victorian Flower Garden
- The Wilderness Garden
- The Ornamental Kitchen Garden
- The Mill Pond Walk.
Special Exhibitions:
Other exhibitions at Beaulieu include:
- The James Bond Experience Real memorabilia, props - and cars - from at least eight different James Bond films. Aston Martins, Jaguars, the Lotus Submarine Car from The Spy Who Loved Me. And, from the same film, the world's first ever used jet ski.
- The Secret Army Exhibition During World War II, a number of famously heroic British spies finished their training at Beaulieu. The exhibition illuminates their lives and their deeds.
Rides and Amusements:
No family day out from London would be complete with rides for the kids. At Beaulieu, find
- Go Karts - summer only
- Mini motorized cars for younger children
- A monorail for an overview of the grounds
- A replica of a 1912, double-decker London bus. The bus is powered by recycled cooking oil from Beaulieu's restaurant.
Food and Drink at Beaulieu:
The Brabazon Restaurant is a cafeteria style canteen with a choice of hot and cold foods, sandwiches, salads, teas and drinks. The selection is family-friendly and, with hot main courses at about £5, prices are wallet-friendly as well. The restaurant is open throughout the day during Beaulieu's normal opening hours.
