lizedben

Hello, Janis has been most helpful, in a previous post, regarding the day trip (from a week's stay in London) that my 14 year old son and I will be taking to Beaulieu in early April, and it sounds like we should count on it as a full-day trip. I am thrilled that there is more to see than the Motor Museum! We will be taking the train there, and dependent upon taxis, I suppose, for actual transport from either Lymington or Brockinghurst to the estate. Does anyone know what transportation is available for us to get to Bucklar's Hard? Any suggestions, for early risers, as to what time to leave London, and should we plan evening events for back in London, or just plan to crash?

Underhill

Is there any chance you could rent a car, or even a car with driver? Then you could go through the New Forest and see the ponies and lovely old villages as well as visiting Beaulieu. BTW, at Beaulieu there are the ruins of the once great abbey to see as well as the motor museum. If you are lucky, you might hear the ghostly chanting of the monks, as we did.

GeoffHamer

Take the train from London Waterloo to Brockenhurst; there are trains every half hour taking about an hour and a half (www.nationalrail.co.uk). Ask for a day return ticket which doesn't need to be bought in advance, though allow time because there are often queues at the ticket office. The train gives good views of the New Forest, much of which is actually heathland rather than forest. Brockenhurst is an attractive little town and is the nearest for taking a taxi to Beaulieu. There are buses to Beaulieu from Hythe (reached by ferry from Southampton) and Lymington (reaching by train from Brockenhurst), but this would reduce the time available at Beaulieu. As far as I know, there is no public transport to Buckler's Hard, though it's only a couple of miles from Beaulieu so is walkable. There is a lot of information on www.bucklershard.co.uk. There is more than enough to fill a day, so I don't think you'd want to do anything in London in the evening as well.

Underhill

FYI, Beaulieu is, in true British fashion, pronounced Bewley.

janis

As GeoffHamer says, Bucklers Hard is quite close to Beaulieu. In addition - directly across the river from B. Hard is Exbury Gardens which is also lovely.

Beaulieu will take quite a while to see - allow at least 4 hours between the Motor Museum, Abbey, Grounds/Gardens and a meal.

Ask the cab driver you use between Brockenhurst or Lymington and Beaulieu to come back and pick you up there 4 or 4.5 hours after he drops you off and have him then take you to Bucklers Hard and then back to the train station later.

All of this should not cost much because the distances are very short.

janis

Meant to add - most likely the cab driver wil have a mobile phone so you can ring him if you are taking more time at Beaulieu, or if you are done early.

lizedben

Thank you all - I'm back on after a computer crash - and delighted to have the correct pronunciation for Beaulieu! I prefer the train to driving, and now with all your help I have a super plan. We don't go until April, but I'll be sure to file a trip report upon our return!