Bucklers Hard 50th Anniversary

Over the weekend of the 6^th & 7^th April KIDS GO FREE* at Buckler’s Hard, the 18^th century shipbuilding village on the banks of the Beaulieu River, where ships for Nelson’s fleet at Trafalgar were built.

In celebration of the 50^th anniversary of the opening of the Maritime Museum in 1964, KIDS GO FREE* as the village comes alive with fun activities including Victorian games and Fun Trails with lots of prizes to be won. Learn about life in the village from Living History characters, hear rousing sea shanties from the strolling Shantymen and watch traditional craft demonstrations.

Visit the refurbished Maritime Museum which reveals the story of this unique village at the time of Henry Adams, the Master Shipbuilder at Buckler’s Hard in the 18^th century when over 50 ships were built for the British Navy.  New displays in the museum explore Smuggling and Village Life at Buckler’s Hard. Additional displays include the SS Persia Exhibition and a film telling the story of the role played by Buckler’s Hard during WWII.

Historic displays in the Labourer’s and Shipwright’s cottages show how the village would have looked in the early 1800s and in the New Inn, you can hear gossip from residents of the time.

On display at the edge of the Beaulieu River you can also see the Indigenous boat used by Daniel Craig in the James Bond film, QUANTUM OF SOLACE.

As you follow the nearby Woodland Walk you will discover how the local timber at Buckler’s Hard was used in the 18^th and 19^th centuries to construct ships for the British Navy.  

You can take a River Cruise (at a small extra charge) which transports you on a tranquil journey along the River, revealing the abundant wildlife that inhabits its banks.

Don’t forget to visit the Captain’s Cabin Tea Rooms which serves a range of light refreshments and drinks, including delicious cream teas, throughout the day.

*To claim your KIDS GO FREE admission on the weekend of 6^th/7^th April 2013 visit:http://www.bucklershard.co.uk/familyfun T&Cs apply.

Daffodils Delight at Beaulieu

Spring-time at Beaulieu

Pay a visit to Beaulieu on Sunday, 24^th March and enjoy a leisurely stroll through the picturesque gardens where, at this time of year, an abundance of beautiful blooms herald the arrival of spring.

The banks of the dry moat surrounding the Montagu family home, Palace House, and the lawns of the adjacent Wilderness Garden, which dates back to the 1770s, are a mass of colour with thousands of snowdrops, crocuses and daffodils carpeting the grounds.

Join Victorian gardener, Ruben Moore, on a Spring Flowers tour and view the stunning mass of 15 different varieties of daffodil that flower throughout the early spring, adding a riot of colour to Beaulieu’s extensive gardens.

In the Ornamental Vegetable Kitchen Garden, laid out on the site of the original 1872 Palace House kitchen garden, planting is in progress for the summer’s crop of fruit and vegetables, while in the Victorian Flower Garden, created in recognition of the Victorians’ interest in plants and gardens, the shrubs in the herbaceous border are emerging from their winter slumber.

Experience the peace and tranquillity of the walled Cloisters and herb garden within the ruins of 13^th century Beaulieu Abbey. One of the surviving buildings, the Domus, now houses a film presentation and exhibition of Monastic life, and a series of embroidered wall hangings depict scenes from the Abbey’s history.

The beautiful rooms and treasures of Palace House are also well worth a visit. Built around the Great Gatehouse of the Abbey, the house is now kept in the style of its later Victorian additions. History comes alive as real Victorian characters, the Butler, Footman and Housemaids, give a fascinating insight into life ‘Upstairs and Downstairs’ in a Victorian country house.

Whilst at Beaulieu you can also see the National Motor Museum, with its collection of over 250 vehicles from every motoring era, plus World Land Speed Record Breakers and F1 racers. Take a ride on ‘Wheels’, a fascinating journey through 100 years of motoring, and see the museum’s acclaimed exhibition BOND IN MOTION, celebrating the 50^th anniversary of the James Bond film franchise with 50 original vehicles from the films.

And before leaving, why not complete your visit with a delicious afternoon Cream Tea in the Brabazon Restaurant.

Beaulieu is open from 10am – 5pm with plenty of free parking. For more information, visitwww.beaulieu.co.uk or telephone 01590 612345.

This Halloween Search For Spectres At Beaulieu Abbey 31st October & 2nd November 2012

 

On the 31st October and 2nd November 2012 join the Hampshire Ghost Club as they embark on a paranormal investigation within the grounds of the Beaulieu attraction, in historic 13th century Beaulieu Abbey, the site

of many spooky spectre sightings.

Beaulieu Abbey was founded in 1204, when King John gave a gift of land to the Cistercian monks to found a monastery. The largest Cistercian Abbey in England, Beaulieu thrived for over 300 years until it was destroyed in the 1530s at the time of the dissolution of the Monasteries.
The strange stories and legends surrounding Beaulieu Abbey have captured the imaginations of people from all walks of life, including Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, who had a great interest in psychic research and made many visits to Beaulieu in search of the unexplainable. To this day, both staff and visitors to Beaulieu report glimpsing ghosts of the Abbey’s former inhabitants, as well as sounds and smells from eras past.

Now the Hampshire Ghost Club are inviting members of the public to join them on two ghost hunts, investigating some of the most haunted areas of Beaulieu’s ancient Abbey.

 
The paranormal sessions will take place on two nights around Halloween, beginning at 9pm and continuing through to 1am. Activities will include vigils and investigations, using professional equipment, in the Abbey’s Domus building, which was formerly the Lay Brothers’ Dormitory. Investigations will also take place in the Abbey ruins and Cloisters. 

Ticket prices are £50 per person, including hot drink refreshments, and are available to people aged 18+. Pre-booking for these sessions is essential, and you can reserve your place by telephoning 01590 612888.

For more information, please visit www.beaulieuevents.co.uk or telephone 01590 612345.