Walks: Beaulieu to Bucklers Hard.

A river walk between the two villages – all within the Beaulieu estate.

SO42 7XB. This natural haven is where the Solent meets the New Forest.

The nearest strain station is at Brockenhurst and the buses that pass by are the 112 and bluestar 9 – check the timetables. Parking in the car park at Bucklers Hard has varying charges and you pay next to the cafe on leaving, and there is a small car park in Beaulieu village.

The visitor attraction that is Bucklers Hard includes the village, maritime museum, shipwright’s cottage, river cruise and chapel and has plenty to see and do for all ages. There is a tearoom and public house with a garden overlooking the river. look out for the Duke’s Bath House – a small thatched cottage on the shore built by George, Duke of Montagu for his arthritic son. If walking and wildlife is of more interest to you then I would suggest parking in Beaulieu and walking to Bucklers Hard along the river. The walk can be accessed from either end and takes about an hour each way…it is approximately 2.25 miles in length.

Bucklers Hard is a natural haven where the New Forest and the Solent meet and is now home to 115 berths, 300 moorings and a boat park. Part of the Beaulieu estate, this haven has been part of the great shipbuilding tradition and 150 fighting ships were built here. From 1749 to 1805 this was the home of Master Shipbuilder, Henry Adams and he oversaw the construction of 52 naval vessels, including Admiral Nelson’s favourite the Agamennon. During the second World War, Bucklers Hard was a repair ground for motor torpedo boats and also used for D Day preparations.

The Georgian shipbuilders cottages are world-famous and are the most recognised feature of Bucklers Hard.

You can take advantage of the boat trip along the river (tickets at the shore or from the maritime museum) and this gives a fascinating view of the river and its history, plus a chance to seal spot too!

This estuary is dominated by mud and saltmarshes, creating mudflats of fine sediment – this is growing at a rate of 3mm per year and is as deep as 26 feet at the mouth! Seaweeds colonise the mudflats and this forms the saltmarshes. Marsh samphire grows here and cord-grass grows further inland.The upper reaches are ideal for sea lavender. Wildlife that flourishes here includes redshank, curlew, lapwing and black-tailed godwits. Along the shore you can also see shellduck, Canada geese and oystercatchers.

There is a clear straight gravelled walk between the two places as well as a muddier walk right along the river with some boardwalk sections and unenen paths – this track is often closed during winter months. Early summer is a good time to see swallows swooping along the fieldside section of the path.

Don’t forget to take some time to explore the village of Beaulieu itself at the star or end of the walk – the views across the water to Palace House are stunning and you could incorporate this walk into while day with a visit to the National Motor Museum too. The banks are often busy with New Forest ponies and donkies and there are usually swans and many wild birds to see too.