Cool Places
Buckler’s Hard
Beaulieu Brockenhurst S042 7XB
Beautifully positioned overlooking the Beaulieu River estuary, the tiny village of Buckler’s Hard was famed for its shipbuilding in times gone by and was where Lord Nelson’s fleet was constructed. It’s little more than a museum-village today, and the former home of the master builder responsible for the Trafalgar Fleet is now an upmarket hotel, bar and restaurant – The Master Builder’s. There’s a small museum detailing the area’s history as well as some superb riverside walks (it’s about 3km north to Beaulieu Village), while from Easter to October you can take a 30-minute river cruise (£4.50, children £2.50).
