Panorama showing the hamlet of Bucklers Hard in Hampshire. It was a famous ship building site in the 18th century, now a visitor attraction with a museum.

Bucklers Hard - Beaulieu visitor guide showing a virtual tour of 'Bucklers Hard' linked to an interactive map with local and travel information. 360° panoramas from Hampshire.

Bucklers Hard is a small hamlet in Hampshire, on the eastern edge of the New Forest, next to the Beaulieu River about 3 miles south of Beaulieu village. Bucklers Hard was created by 2nd Duke of Montagu with the intention of importing sugar from the West Indies, but the island were taken over by the French, putting an end to this plan.

With easy access to the Oak trees of the New Forest, and tidal access to the Solent and the English Channel, Bucklers Hard became a center for ship building in the 18th century, and several Ships of the Line in the English Fleet were built here, with the 'Euryalus', 'Swiftsure' and 'Agamemnon (Admiral Nelson's favourite ship) all being built here and seeing action in the Battle of Trafalgar.

Today, Bucklers Hard has become a tourist attraction, with a Maritime Museum, St Mary's Chapel and a preserved Shipwright's Cottage in two rows of cottages leading down to the river. The original Mater Builder's cottage has been converted into the Master Builder's pub. Down by the river some remains of the ship building past can be seen.

During WWII Bucklers Hard built motor torpedo boats and was uses as a base for hundreds of craft preparing for Operation Overlord, the Normandy invasion.

Entrance fees apply except to guests of the Master Builders House Hotel. Just upriver from Bucklers Hard is the Yacht Harbour Marina which has 110 births for sailing ships and boats. A river walk connects Bucklers Hard with Beaulieu.

Bucklers Hard Village,
Maritime Museum,
Bucklers Hard,
Beaulieu,
Hampshire
SO42 7XB

Road: Bucklers Hard is 3 miles south of Beaulieu, follow the brown tourist attraction signs. Parking near the entrance. Entrance fees apply.