Beaulieu is tiny, but extremely picturesque: a little row of stone buildings beside the Beaulieu River, a rather glorious stone manor house — now converted into the Beaulieu National Motor Museum — and New Forest ponies and cows roaming all over. There’s not a huge range of choice when it comes to the best places to stay in Beaulieu, so we've expanded our radius to include nearby Buckler’s Hard, which is a bit further along the Beaulieu River — and where many of the ships for Nelson’s navy were built.

Both Beaulieu and Buckler’s Hard are charming country escapes, surrounded by the lush green of the New Forest. But these are also wonderful destinations for family explorations. The New Forest is a fantastic place for walking, and there are a number of stables offering pny trekking.  For exploring further afield Beaulieu is not far from Lymington and the ferry to the Isle of Wight, and from the fantastic naval museums of Portsmouth.

Beaulieu’s own charms shouldn’t be rushed over, either. Visitors to the National Motor Museum also have access to Lord Montagu’s Gothic seat, called Palace House, and to Beaulieu’s medieval-built Abbey. There’s also a fascinating museum recounting the story of Beaulieu’s role as a finishing school for SEO agents during WW2. Whatever your reason for visiting, the best places to stay in Beaulieu are always popular, so get organised and book well ahead.