Beaulieu - The Visitor Experience
Beaulieu is designed and managed to provide an interesting and rewarding visit to all sections of the community. Our continued success depends on providing very high levels of satisfaction to those people who visit us. Visitor satisfaction depends not only on the principle historic features that they come to see, but on three main additional factors:
- Providing a wide variety of complementary facilities and activities for our visitors to enjoy.
- Creating a pleasant environment maintained to a high standard.
- Making our visitors welcome, and helping them to enjoy their day.
The visitor experience at Beaulieu comprises five distinct elements:
- Visits to the main destinations.
- Enjoyment of additional attractions.
- Leisure and relaxation in the grounds and gardens.
- Catering.
- Shopping opportunities.
The free-flow arrangement and lack of regimentation enables visitors to select from the mixture on offer, in order to build a visit suited to their own particular needs.
The Main Visitor Attractions
National Motor Museum
The Museum, opened in 1972, covers an area of 70,000 sq. ft. and contains over 250 vehicle exhibits. The vehicles are supported by a variety of thematic displays and audio-visual presentations. The Museum also houses "Wheels", a ride-through display on the theme of the History of Motoring in Britain. Visitors are able to circulate freely, although there are at least two set guided tours each day.
Beaulieu Abbey
The majority of the Abbey buildings were destroyed at the Dissolution in the 16th century.
The Cloisters still retain great beauty and tranquillity. The Monks' Refectory is now the Parish Church, and is usually open to visitors with access from the Cloisters. The other surviving building, the Domus, houses a display on Monastic Life and the History of the Abbey.
Palace House
Originally the Great Gatehouse of the Abbey, Palace House has been the main family home since the 19th century. The main rooms derived from the monastic structure are open to the public, and tours of the Private Apartments in the Victorian portion of the House are sometimes available.
Additional Attractions
These are generally based on the transport theme, and include the Monorail, a large AV Theatre, , radio-controlled cars, and a replica Veteran Bus and the "Driving Experience", a simulator recreating various driving experiences. Access to a limited number of these Features is normally included as part of the overall admission package, and tickets or voucher books are available to give access to the remainder.
Garden and Grounds
At the north of the site, the Grounds are maintained as open parkland between the buildings.
This provides opportunity for games, picnics, and relaxation. The southern Gardens, in the vicinity of the House and Abbey provide a beautiful Walk alongside the Beaulieu Millpond.
There is also a garden designed as a tribute to Victorian gardeners. A recent addition is a riverside walk and Victorian Ornamental Vegetable Garden.
Catering
The long stay-times at Beaulieu generate a need for food and refreshment in the course of the day. For those people who do not wish to bring picnics, the Brabazon building provides a variety of catering opportunities ranging from hot drinks and light snacks, to full meals. A bar is also available. In high season, this single Catering outlet is supplemented by Kiosk sales of sweets and ice creams.
Shopping Opportunities
Shopping is now recognised to be an important part of leisure and recreation. Several shopping opportunities are available within the Beaulieu complex. In the Information Centre, the main Beaulieu shop stocks items related to Beaulieu, the Heritage and motoring. In the south of the Grounds, Palace House shop carries a selected range of similar goods, while within Palace House itself, the Kitchen Shop provides a specialised shopping opportunity.
The variety of activities available ensures that visitors are able to spend a full day within the Beaulieu complex.