| The Beaulieu River is rightly considered as one of the | | | | river, an anchorage on the other side of Gull Island, |
| most picturesque and fascinating areas of Southern | | | | and a marina at Buckler's Hard between them provide |
| England. Situated on the South Coast of Hampshire, | | | | ample berthing options for your Solent yacht charter, |
| the 12 mile long river runs from the New Forest | | | | but be aware that access to the river can be testing, |
| National Park to the internationally renowned sailing | | | | and should not be attempted at low tide. |
| area of the Solent (a 30 mile stretch of water | | | | Besides from the river itself, the most popular |
| seperating the mainland and the Isle of Wight). | | | | sightseeing attractions include: |
| Unusually for a river in the UK, the Beaulieu River is | | | | Buckler's Hard, which due to its maritime history, |
| privately owned by the Lord Montagu of Beaulieu, | | | | including building wooden warships for Nelson's |
| and has been since 1926, along with the foreshore, | | | | fleet,(his favourite was the Agamemnon), museum, |
| and much of the surrounding countryside. It was | | | | authentic restoration of 18th Century life and |
| previously Crown property, but was given away by | | | | comprehensive facilities for yachts and yachtsmen is |
| King John in the 13th century to the monks who later | | | | an absorbing place to visit, and you'd be in extremely |
| founded the Beaulieu Abbey. | | | | good company. Sir Francis Chichester who was the |
| Starting near Lyndhurst in the New Forest, it flows | | | | first person to sail single-handedly around the world in |
| through the forest heaths to Beaulieu where it | | | | Gipsy Moth IV chose Buckler's Hard for his home |
| becomes tidal. It flows through the forest to the | | | | port, and you are be able to appreciate some |
| historic ship building village of Buckler's Hard, before | | | | exhibits pertaining to this. |
| continuing to the sea through the Solent, where the | | | | The most famous of the master shipbuilders from |
| entrance to the river is marked by the Millennium | | | | Buckler's Hard was Henry Adams, who lived at what |
| Beacon. South West of the river entrance, only a | | | | is now the amazing Master Builder's House Hotel. We |
| few miles across the Solent, lies Cowes, a extremely | | | | really recommend you to see this Hotel! |
| famous sailing town on the north coast of the Isle of | | | | Beaulieu, which is one of the South of England's |
| Wight, that plays host to the worlds largest sailing | | | | leading visitor attractions which contains a good |
| race every summer. | | | | variety of exhibits such as the National Motor |
| Nearly all of the river is navigable to small craft at | | | | Museum, the James Bond Experience, the World of |
| high tide, making it ideal for a Solent rib charter, | | | | Top Gear, the Secret Army Exhibition and the Jaguar |
| although a 5 knot speed restriction applies to the | | | | Jamboree. It also contains the historic Beaulieu Abbey |
| whole river, so it would be an extremely satisfying | | | | and the Palace House. |
| journey (especially for kids and seniors) and would | | | | Buckler's Hard and Beaulieu are linked by The |
| not exactly be a white knuckle blast. | | | | Riverside Walk, which, is very pretty, rich in birdlife, |
| There are a substantial number of moorings in the | | | | and is highly recommended. |