On The River

The Beaulieu River which flows through the New Forest and into the Solent is a haven for yachtsmen, and women, with sheltered waters and although tidal having the benefit of high water four times a day through a secondary tide.

Once they built wooden ships on the river for Nelson’s fleet during the Battle of Trafalgar, but today it is a centre for recreational sailing, although the historic village of Bucklers Hard on the river harks back to the early shipbuilding days .

The yacht harbour alongside the village at Bucklers Hard provides berths, moorings and a boat park while the Royal Southampton Yacht Club has its own pontoon shown in our Blip, and clubhouse downstream.

I first visited the river from the Solent, seeking shelter from high winds in the Solent, and moored up at the Club’s Gins pontoon. Today it was a more leisurely drive through the Forest.

Almost uniquely, the river and river bed have been privately owned since the 16th century by the Beaulieu Estates, home of the Montagu family and it was the present Lord Montagu’s late father who founded the Motor Museum, National Maritime Museum and was a former commodore of the Royal Southampton.