Buckler's Hard

6 July 2008, Sunday

Buckler’s Hard

Sat was an exhaustive day, with Portsmouth and Hursley Day on chart. Thus Sunday was laid down to be lazy and relaxing. The previous weeks visit to New Forest, was inviting. And this time it was Buckler’s Hard.

On the banks of Beaulieu River, in the heart of New Forest, is Buckler’s Hard – A thriving Ship building village. Ships for Nelson’s fleet at Trafalgar is said to have built here. Three ships built at Buckler's Hard went on to see action in the 1805 Battle of Trafalgar - the Euryalus, Swiftsure and Agamemnon.

Further during World War II the village is said have used to build motor torpedo boats, and the river as a base for hundreds of landing craft. The 'Montagu Town', as it was originally known, was founded as a free port for the trading of Sugar from West Indies. The abundance of oak, beech and elm trees in NewForest, further turned the town into an important shipbuilding village for the Royal Navy. A quiet and serene town.

The Buckler's Hard Story and Maritime Museum

Many models and paintings of ships built at Buckler's Hard are on display here, while reconstructed interiors of the cottage show, how the villagers lived, worked and relaxed. The first solo navigation of Sir Francis Chichester, who circumnavigated the earth in his yacht Gypsy Moth IV.

One thing that caught my attention was SS Percia. The sinking of the liner by a German U-Boat during WWI. The world’s deepest salvage operation has unearthed several ship’s artifacts, that were entombed for nearly one hundred years; Fortune of gold and jewels the ship was believed to be carrying on its fateful final voyage from India.


Historic 18th century cottages - Georgian cottages running down to the river, Bucklers Hard is part of the 9000 acre (36 km²) Beaulieu Estate. The hamlet is actually located some 2 miles south of the village of Beaulieu. The village centres around a single main street lined with shipbuilder's cottages, including the Shipwright's Cottage, The New Inn (which not only served drinks but also gossip) and St.Mary's Chapel, has now been restored. The street leads down to the Beaulieu River.


Labourers had cramped home, whereas the craftsman had spacious house, and the Master shipbuilder a luxurious.

Henry Adams was the Master Shipbuilder, The Master Builder's pub (originally the home of Henry Adams, Master Shipbuilder between 1749-1805) offers a nice opportunity for a relaxing drink at the river-end of Village Street. A hot cup of Cappucino beside the fire place in a 18th century cottage, a river flowing by and a mild sprinkle outside. What else can anyone ask for?!?

Riverside walk

Down at the river, you can see the ancient shipbuilding launchways, with some of the original timbers visible at low tide.


The present modern yachting marina


A walk through the woodlands ...


Our next stop was at the Calshot Castle and Pebble Beach.