The Cistercian village of Beaulieu, about ten miles south of Southampton, grew out of the abbey, founded by King John in 1204. Its mill, wells and High Street fascinate visitors as they walk on its uneven and ancient stones. The Beaulieu estate came into the possession of the Montagu family in Henry VIII’s time.

Lord Montagu has opened his house to the public since 1952 and very much enjoys meeting his many visitors. Together with the Abbey and the Motor Museum, Beaulieu is well placed in the country’s ‘league’ of stately homes. The famous Montagu Motor Museum was founded in memory of his father, John Montagu, who successfully persuaded Parliament to abolish the 12 mph speed limit, and obliged motorists to register their cars and obtain licences to drive them. It was he who equipped the Army in India with mechanical transport during the First World War. Edward, the present Lord Montagu, is a vintage car enthusiast. Edward’s mother, the Hon Mrs Pleydell-Bouverie, lived in the village from 1920 and was a founder member of the Beaulieu Women’s Institute.

The village fire brigade was one of the earliest in the county of Hampshire, and before the Second World War was the private fire brigade of the Beaulieu estate. The village shops form the centre of village life and include an art gallery, a craft shop and Beaulieu Chocolates, whose hand-made chocolates are sold worldwide. The village hall hosts lectures, dramas, bingo, elections, weddings and many other events. A vineyard flourishes on the south facing slopes above the museum.

One could not leave Beaulieu without mentioning the river, with Bucklers Hard so near to the centre of the yachting world, together with the riverside farms, woods, bird sanctuary, and the estuary shores so abundant with wildlife.

The village information above is taken from the The Hampshire Village Book, written by members of Hampshire Federation of Women’s Institutes and published by Countryside Books.