A Visitor's Guide to Beaulieu and the National Motor Museum

Home to the National Motor Museum, historic Palace House and Beaulieu Abbey, as well as family-friendly attractions and beautiful gardens, there are plenty of things to do in Beaulieu for visitors of all ages.

If you’re looking for somewhere interesting to visit during your New Forest holiday, here’s everything you need to know about visiting Beaulieu.

What is Beaulieu famous for?

Beaulieu is best known for the National Motor Museum, which celebrates Britain’s motoring heritage with a collection of historic vehicles, motorcycles, racing cars and record-breaking machines.

However, the museum is just one part of the wider Beaulieu attraction. Your admission ticket also includes access to Palace House, Beaulieu Abbey, the gardens, Little Beaulieu, the Secret Army Exhibition and We Had One Of Those!.

There are also unlimited rides on the Monorail and Veteran Bus, making it easy to explore the attraction without having to walk everywhere.

This means you can easily spend a full day here, even if not everyone in your group is a motoring fan.

What can you see at the Beaulieu Motor Museum?

The National Motor Museum takes visitors on a journey through the history of motoring, from some of the earliest vehicles to famous cars from more recent decades.

Car enthusiasts can see everything from classic cars and motorcycles to Formula 1 machinery and record-breaking vehicles. One of the museum’s highlights is Driven: Britain’s Motoring Story, a permanent gallery exploring the development of motoring in Britain and the people and vehicles that shaped it.

Another popular attraction is On Screen Cars, which celebrates vehicles from film and television. It’s a particularly fun stop for families, with plenty of recognisable cars to spot.

The museum is also home to the famous monorail, which runs through the building itself before continuing around the wider site.

How long do you need at Beaulieu?

Beaulieu recommends allowing at least four to five hours for your visit, although you could easily spend a full day exploring everything.

If you’re primarily visiting for the National Motor Museum, allow a couple of hours to properly explore the collection. Families may want longer so there’s time for the outdoor attractions and play areas too.

A simple itinerary could be:

Morning:

Start with the National Motor Museum and explore the main collections.

Lunch:

Take a break at one of the food outlets or enjoy a picnic if the weather is good.

Afternoon:

Explore Palace House and Beaulieu Abbey before taking a ride on the Monorail or Veteran Bus. Families can also make time for the kids to enjoy Little Beaulieu, the adventure play area.

If you don’t manage everything in one day, Beaulieu currently offers a Return for Free option for eligible visits within six days, so you can spread your visit across two days.

Family-friendly things to do at Beaulieu

You don’t need to be interested in cars to enjoy Beaulieu, which is one of the reasons it works so well as a family day out.

Little Beaulieu

Younger visitors can let off some steam at Little Beaulieu, an adventure play area inspired by Palace House.

There are climbing areas, secret passageways, a treetop boardwalk and zip wire, along with a play bus, sandpit and areas designed for younger children.

It’s a great place to include in your itinerary if little legs need a break from exploring the museum.

Monorail and Veteran Bus

The Monorail and Veteran Bus are included in your admission and provide a fun way to see more of the attraction while giving your feet a well-earned rest.

The mile-long Monorail, which is the oldest in England, takes you on a bird’s-eye tour of the Beaulieu grounds, offering views across the gardens and attractions. One of the highlights is travelling right through the roof of the National Motor Museum! There’s also informative commentary during the journey, helping you discover more about the sights along the way.

For something a little more traditional, hop aboard the Veteran Bus, a replica 1912 open-topped London bus. It makes regular journeys between the Brabazon Restaurant and Palace House, offering a gentle and nostalgic way to travel between the two areas of the attraction.

Palace House and Beaulieu Abbey

For a change of pace, head to Palace House, the historic Montagu family home. Originally built as the gatehouse of the medieval Beaulieu Abbey, it has been the Montagu family home since 1538 and was later remodelled and extended to create the Victorian country house you can see today.

Take a look around the grand interiors, discover the history of the Montagu family and admire the portraits and family treasures throughout the house. There are also newly refurbished rooms to explore, including former private rooms belonging to Edward, Lord Montagu.

You can also explore the remains of Beaulieu Abbey, an ancient Cistercian abbey founded in 1204. The abbey flourished for around three centuries before being destroyed on the orders of King Henry VIII in 1538. Today, the conserved ruins offer a peaceful setting where you can get a sense of the scale of this once-important medieval building.

The surrounding gardens provide plenty of space to slow down and enjoy the outdoors, with footpaths, gardens and picnic areas making them a lovely place to take a break between attractions.

Beaulieu tickets and parking

One of the advantages of visiting Beaulieu is that a single admission ticket covers the main attractions, including the National Motor Museum, Palace House and Beaulieu Abbey.

At the time of writing, 2026 standard admission prices are:

• Adult (17+): £31.50 on the day or £28.35 in advance

• Child (4–16): £18.50 on the day or £16.65 in advance

• Children aged 0–3: Free

Family tickets are also available, and booking online in advance can save money.

There is free parking at Beaulieu, with large visitor car parks providing more than 1,000 spaces. Accessible parking is also available close to Visitor Reception.

As ticket prices and opening arrangements can change, check Beaulieu’s official website before travelling.Facilities can vary between seasonal caravan sites, so it's important to check what's included before making your decision.

What else can you do near Beaulieu?

If you still have time after visiting the National Motor Museum, there are plenty of ways to continue exploring the surrounding New Forest. Beaulieu is a great starting point for discovering historic attractions, outdoor activities and scenic cycling routes, so you can easily make your visit part of a longer day out.

For more inspiration, take a look at our list of local attractions where you’ll find more ideas for things to see and do during your stay.

Visit Buckler’s Hard

Just a short distance from Beaulieu, Buckler’s Hard is a historic riverside village on the Beaulieu River and makes a great addition to a day out at the National Motor Museum.

Once an important shipbuilding centre, Buckler’s Hard was where ships for Nelson’s navy were built. Today, you can explore the historic village, discover more about its maritime past, enjoy riverside walks and, at certain times of year, take a boat trip along the Beaulieu River.

It’s an ideal option if you want to combine your visit to the Beaulieu Motor Museum with some of the New Forest’s history, scenery and riverside views.

Try an outdoor adventure with New Forest Activities

If you’re looking for something a little more active, New Forest Activities is another great option to add to your New Forest itinerary.

Based at Hazel Copse Farm in Beaulieu, New Forest Activities offers a range of outdoor adventures, including canoeing and paddleboarding on the Beaulieu River, as well as activities such as archery, high ropes and laser tag. With activities suitable for families, couples and groups, it’s a fun way to experience a different side of the New Forest.

Explore Beaulieu by bike

Cycling is another great way to explore the area around Beaulieu, particularly if you want to combine several attractions into one day.

One of Shorefield’s recommended routes is the Beaulieu to Buckler’s Hard cycle route, a very easy three-mile route which connects Beaulieu village with Buckler’s Hard. The route follows quiet footpaths and is particularly popular with families, giving you the opportunity to visit both attractions while enjoying the surrounding countryside.

If you’re keen to explore more of the New Forest on two wheels, take a look at our guide to the best New Forest cycle routes, including routes through Bolderwood and Burley as well as the Beaulieu to Buckler’s Hard route.

Our tips for visiting Beaulieu

To make the most of your day:

• Book tickets in advance where possible for the best available price.

• Arrive early if you want to see as much as possible.

• Allow at least four to five hours, or a full day if you want to visit everything.

• Wear comfortable shoes, as you’ll be walking between different attractions.

• Bring waterproofs and layers, as part of the experience is outdoors.

• Check the events calendar before visiting, particularly if you’re interested in motoring events.  

• Plan some time for the children to enjoy Little Beaulieu and the Monorail.

• Check opening times and prices before travelling, as these can vary throughout the year.

Make Beaulieu part of your New Forest holiday

With so much to see and do around Beaulieu, it’s easy to turn a visit to the National Motor Museum into part of a longer New Forest getaway. Spend the day exploring the museum, historic attractions and surrounding countryside, then return to your Shorefield accommodation to relax and plan your next adventure.

If you’re looking for inspiration for your trip, explore our guide to local attractions to discover more family-friendly days out, historic attractions and outdoor activities across the New Forest and Hampshire.

Stay close to Beaulieu

If Beaulieu is high on your list of places to visit, staying nearby means you can spend less time travelling and more time enjoying your holiday.

Shorefield Country Park is one of the closest Shorefield parks to Beaulieu and makes a convenient base for exploring the National Motor Museum, Buckler’s Hard and the wider New Forest. The park offers a range of accommodation options, making it a great choice for families and couples looking to explore the area.

There’s plenty to enjoy without leaving the park too, from family-friendly activities and entertainment to opportunities to relax and make the most of your time away. Discover our on-park entertainment and activities at Shorefield.

For touring and camping holidays, Lytton Lawn Touring Park is another convenient option close to Beaulieu. Set in the New Forest, it provides a peaceful base for exploring the surrounding countryside, with the attractions of Beaulieu and Buckler’s Hard within easy reach.

Find your New Forest getaway

Whether you’re planning a family adventure packed with days out or a relaxing break surrounded by nature, Shorefield has a range of options to suit your stay.

Explore our New Forest holiday parks to find your ideal location, or browse our New Forest accommodation to discover our range of lodges, caravans and other places to stay, including houses and cottages, touring, camping and glamping options, and even our unique treehouses!

Make Beaulieu one of the highlights of your next New Forest escape – and give yourself plenty of time to discover everything else this beautiful part of Hampshire has to offer.