Beaulieu is a small village known for the large Palace House and the National Automobile Museum. The town has retained its intimate and peaceful character, despite numerous tourists visiting it.
The village was founded at the Cistercian Abbey of Beaulieu. The first monks came here from the French town of Cîteaux and named their headquarters with the French name meaning Beautiful Place. The abbey was one of the most important religious centers in this part of England in the Middle Ages. In addition, it was the owner of large areas of fields and forests and many villages in the area.
The dissolution of the orders by Henry VIII meant that the grounds of the monastery were parceled out. The church and some of the buildings have fallen into disrepair and are today a monument open to tourists. The Palace House estate with an Elizabethan mansion and a large park was built on part of the land.
The former abbey grounds are Beaulieu's biggest attraction. The Palace House houses a small museum that tells the story of British Special Forces during World War II. The exhibitions are related to the fact that one of the headquarters of these forces was located on the property during the war. Other buildings of the former monastery are occupied by the National Automobile Museum with a huge collection of vehicles from around the 20th century. Among them there are real unique items, such as the cars in which the film James Bond moved.
Besides the museums, Beaulieu has another attraction related to the automotive industry. This is the World of Top Gear, one of the most popular automotive programs in the world.
The village is beautifully situated on the river of the same name. There are numerous walking and cycling routes around it. You can also take cruises on the Beaulieu River, which allows you to look at the area from a different perspective.
