Itineraries Beaulieu Cycle
Summary
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Family wheels in motion
Village & cycling trail
A day out in the New Forest
The New Forest Tour
0845 0727 093 (Mon-Fri 0830-1700)
Don’t forget, your ticket for The New Forest Tour entitles you to 20% off admission prices of various attractions. See guide book for more details.
Forest Bus Baby
New Forest Activities
Booking Centre 1
The Old Forge, High Street,
Beaulieu, SO42 7YA
01590 612377
Beaulieu 2
Beaulieu, Brockenhurst, SO42 7ZN
01590 612345
Buckler’s Hard 3
01590 616203
Further info
Beaulieu to Buckler’s Hard
MAP INSIDE
Map for illustrative purposes only © Crown Copyright and Database Right 2016. Ordnance Survey 1000114703.
New Forest National Park Authority
Lymington Town Hall
Avenue Road
Lymington SO41 9ZG
01590 646600
NPA 00421 – 8. Printed on FSC environmentally-friendly paper. Please recycle after use.
Please be aware that some transport services are seasonal and subject to operational change. Please check before travelling.
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Family wheels in motion
Beaulieu to Buckler’s Hard river trail
The New Forest boasts over 100 miles (160 kilometres) of car-free, approved cycle trails with the very best cycling conditions making it a safe haven for cyclists of all abilities.
Famous attractions, woodland adventures, historic sites, delightful places to eat and beautiful villages all connect up to the cycle routes and await your discovery. Pedal power really is the best way to explore all that the New Forest has to offer.
One of the most popular routes for families is from beautiful Beaulieu to the historic Buckler’s Hard as the route follows a two mile footpath along fields and woodland and offers a wonderful day out for all the family to enjoy. And this is where this trail will take you…
Morning & Lunch
Overview
On your marks, get-set, go!
Leave the car at home, or at your accommodation, and ride the New Forest Tour Green Route or the Beach Bus (seasonal services) to Beaulieu village where you can hire all the cycling equipment you and your family will need from New Forest Activities. Hop on your bikes and make your way to the National Motor Museum, where the story of motoring on our roads and racetracks comes to life. Re-live memorable challenges in World of Top Gear – and see exclusive behind-the scenes footage featuring the stars of the show or while a way a few hours checking out all 250 car and motorbikes from world land speed record breakers to film favourites like the magical flying car Chitty Chitty Bang Bang.
As well as the museum, the beautiful grounds and gardens of the Palace House must be explored. Get a bird’s eye view of the beautiful house and gardens on the high-level, mile-long monorail, climb aboard the replica 1912 open top London Bus for a gentle ride or get in the driving seat yourself and put your foot down on the go karts.
If you get your thrills from less ‘lively’ experiences, explore the charming ruins of Beaulieu Abbey and listen for the sounds of chanting and Brother Augustus’s footsteps and smell the fragrance of incense when there is none burning.
Afternoon
From motors to maritime
After a fun morning of motoring madness, hop back in the saddle and head along the Beaulieu River (at a considerably slower pace!) on the 2-mile footpath to Buckler’s Hard. This 18th century village and shipbuilding yard is where warships for Nelson’s Navy were built, three of which took part in the Battle of Trafalgar. The children can learn all about the Buckler’s Hard story in the Maritime Museum and see for themselves a replica timber framed 18th century shipwrights’ workshop which has been built using traditional methods.
From a thriving shipbuilding village to a sleepy rural hamlet, discover who lived there, the changes that occurred and how it developed into a popular visitor destination in the 20th century. And your visit wouldn’t be complete if you didn’t sit on the riverbank with a Beaulieu ice cream and chilled glass of Beaulieu apple juice from the apple orchard. By now, you’ve worked up a thirst!
Fully refreshed, hop back on your bikes for the last part of your journey heading back to Beaulieu village. After an exciting day of cycling, exploring and soaking up this region’s heritage, you may find the smallest members of your family sleep well tonight!
For families that like a more challenging route, any of the cycle routes can be extended. So if you want to go further afield, make sure you come back to the New Forest soon and try one of the other many routes. There’s certainly enough to keep those budding Bradley Wiggins’ pedalling!
Lunchtime
Pit stop for lunch
By now, you’ll have worked up an appetite so take a break and soak up the magic of the most visited village in the National Park over a tasty hot lunch in the Brabazon Restaurant in the National Motor Museum or a leisurely picnic within the picturesque parkland. But remember; don’t feed the animals as it can give them stomach ache, make them more vulnerable to traffic accidents and even lead them to developing an unhealthy craving for human food.