Press Visit
I hadn’t been to Beaulieu for several years, despite it being almost on my doorstep in The New Forest, so when I was asked if I would like to go along to visit with the children, I was more than happy to oblige. The first thing I noticed, since my last visit, was how much there is to do at Beaulieu these days. We spent the entire day there and could have easily done some things more than once if we had the time and energy! It’s definitely a full day out, and enjoyed by the whole family too. I took along my cousin, and we had just as much fun as the children, even climbing up onto the car at the photo station after the kids had finished!
This summer there are a whole host of events on at Beaulieu, as well as exhibitions like the Sculpture at Beaulieu, which is on until 30th August and definitely adds a little extra something to your visit. There are 250 sculptures dotted around the grounds and in the family home – my favourite was the rhino, which was seriously impressive, but there were so many fantastic pieces to look at on your way around.
New to the attraction is Little Beaulieu, which is a fun, interactive children’s play area, complete with seating and a cafe serving some snacks, drinks and ice creams – perfect for parents who are ready for a sit down by that point, whilst the children play. There is a separate area for toddlers, which is great as play can get a little boisterous, and there is even a zip wire (I think we must have missed it somehow though), and a car you can climb into and pretend to fill up with fuel – perfect for little imaginations!
The main museum is fantastic to walk around and discover everything you ever needed to know about cars, buses, bikes and any other motor vehicles, whilst the additional Top Gear show has additional vehicles, used in the popular TV series, as well as the chance to watch some of the ‘best bits’ on the large indoor screen. There is a another walkway with cars from the screen, including the infamous van from Only Fools and Horses, and the flying car from Harry Potter.
If you want to rest your feet, and take in the views of the grounds at the same time you are spoilt for choice with the Monorail, which gives you a birds eye view of the entire park, or the open top bus, which gives you the chance to travel around the grounds in style. We went on both and the kids were in their element – I highly recommend. Top Tip – head for them when the Falconry show is on to avoid the queues (although the show itself did look good too!).
We all had a brilliant day out at Beaulieu. We packed a picnic and ate it on the benches in the grounds, took a million photos, enjoyed the sunshine and took everything in. I would definitely recommend a visit, whether you are local or visiting the area on holiday. Even if you have been before, the new attractions and exhibitions for Summer 2021 make Beaulieu the perfect family day out in Hampshire.
I was provided with complimentary press tickets, however all words and images are my own.
