Beaulieu, Hampshire facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Beaulieu |
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.jpg) Beaulieu as viewed from the Beaulieu River |
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 Beaulieu
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| Population | 806 (2011 Census) |
| OS grid reference | SU385025 |
| • London | 92.6mi |
| Civil parish |
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| District |
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| Shire county | |
| Region | |
| Country | England |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Post town | Brockenhurst |
| Postcode district | SO42 |
| Dialling code | 01590 |
| Police | Hampshire |
| Fire | Hampshire |
| Ambulance | South Central |
| EU Parliament | South East England |
| UK Parliament |
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Beaulieu (pronounced BEW-lee) is a lovely village in Hampshire, England. It sits on the edge of the New Forest, a large area of woodlands and open land. Beaulieu is famous for two main attractions: Palace House and the National Motor Museum. In 2020, a travel magazine called it one of the most beautiful villages in the UK and Ireland.
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Beaulieu's Past
The name "Beaulieu" comes from a French phrase meaning "beautiful place." This name was first used for Beaulieu Abbey, a large monastery built here long ago. About 30 monks from a French abbey came to live here. The old Latin name for the monastery meant "the beautiful place of the king."
During the Second World War, the Beaulieu Estate was a secret training ground. Between 1941 and 1945, people were trained here for special government missions. One of the trainers was Kim Philby, who later worked for another country. Today, you can visit an exhibition at the Beaulieu Estate. It shows photos and recordings from that time.
Beaulieu has kept its natural beauty over the years. It's a popular spot for tourists and people who love to watch birds. You might spot birds like the Dartford warbler or the Eurasian hobby here.
Getting Around Beaulieu
The closest train station to Beaulieu is Beaulieu Road. It's about 4 miles (6.4 km) away from the village. Many trains stop there each day, connecting Beaulieu to other towns.
You can also get to Beaulieu by bus. The Wilts & Dorset bus service 112 travels through the village. In the summer, a special open-top bus called the New Forest Tour visits Beaulieu every hour. It's a fun way to see the area.
Discover Palace House
Palace House is a grand building that looks over the village from across the Beaulieu River. It started as a gatehouse for Beaulieu Abbey way back in 1204. Since 1538, it has been the home of the Montagu family. This happened when King Henry VIII took over many monasteries in England.
The house was made bigger in the 1500s and again in the 1800s. Today, it's a great example of a Gothic country house. Even though the current Lord and Lady Montagu still live there, parts of the house and its beautiful gardens are open to visitors every day. It's part of a group called the Treasure Houses of England.
Fun Things to See and Do
The National Motor Museum
Beaulieu is home to the amazing National Motor Museum. It first opened in 1952 as the Montagu Motor Museum. It has a huge collection of old and important cars.
Some of the most exciting cars there are those that broke land speed records. These include Sir Malcolm Campbell's 1920 Sunbeam 350hp and his son Donald Campbell's Bluebird-Proteus CN7. You can also see the 1927 Sunbeam 1000hp, which was the first car to go over 200 miles per hour (320 km/h). Another famous car is the 1929 Irving-Napier Special 'Golden Arrow'. Both the Sunbeam 1000hp and the Golden Arrow were driven by Major Henry Segrave.
Beaulieu Jazz Festival
In the late 1950s, Beaulieu became a surprising place for early music festivals. The annual Beaulieu Jazz Festival grew into a big event for jazz and youth pop music. People would camp overnight and enjoy the music. This festival helped shape what we now know as modern music festivals. Sometimes, different groups of music fans had disagreements, but it was a lively time.
