Buckler’s Hard
Children will enjoy a picnic by the quay, a visit to a shipbuilders house, donkeys and a play area on this walk.
The Basics
Time: Just over an hour each way, but plan for time spent at Buckler’s Hard
Distance: 3.5 km each way
Terrain: Flat and well surfaced paths with a few optional diversions along boardwalks
Pushchairs: Yes
Dogs: On leads
Refreshments: The Captain’s Table in Bucklers Hard, plenty of picnic benches or lots of choices in Beaulieu
Toilets: In the car park at Beaulieu or at Buckler’s Hard
Parking: Pay and display car park in Beaulieu off Palace Lane (Postcode: SO42 7YE - W3W: alike/melt/create)
Follow the banks of The River Beaulieu to the picturesque ship building hamlet of Buckler’s Hard with its Georgian cottages running down to the quay. There is plenty for the whole family to see and do on this walk, which starts from the popular New Forest village of Beaulieu.
The Route
This is a linear walk. Our description is for Beaulieu and back again, but you could easily park at Buckler’s Hard and do it in reverse. It is a very well signposted walk and it is very easy to follow. We shall just give an overview and point out some of the things to look out for.
The trail begins from the high street and is signposted as it heads between properties to come out behind the school. There is a small play area just at the start of the walk.
When the walk travels parallel to the river, there are a couple of chances to divert off the main path and walk right next to the river. This is worth doing for the view of the water and does not add much to the journey.
As you approach Buckler’s Hard, there is a boardwalk going left to a bird hide.
You will no doubt want to spend some time at Buckler’s Hard before you walk back. You can pay to take a boat ride up the river or visit the museum. There is also a little shipwrights cottage that you can look around for free.
There is also plenty to do on your return to Beaulieu with sweet shops, ice-cream shops, tea rooms and pubs, as well as the resident donkeys who you will usually find somewhere on the grassy banks of the river.
We suggest viewing the interactive map below as a ‘Trails Map’ to ensure all the paths are visible:
Did you know?
Buckler's Hard was where Sir Francis Chichester began and finished his solo voyage around the world in the Gypsy Moth IV, becoming the first person to single-handedly circumnavigate the world.