Grounds & Gardens

Explore the Gardens at Beaulieu

Lose yourself in Beaulieu's serene grounds and gardens via the network of footpaths that criss-cross the attraction.

The gardens were originally the grounds of ancient Beaulieu Abbey and later Palace House. They are now carefully managed by Beaulieu's green-fingered team.

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Mill Pond Walk

Step off the central pathway to enjoy views across the tidal Beaulieu River from this meandering route. You'll pass ancient oak trees and thick reed beds, both home to a variety of New Forest bird life. Look out for the Rufus Memorial Cairn - commemorating the death of King William Rufus who was killed whilst hunting near Beaulieu in 1100.

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Wilderness Garden

Dating back to the 1770s, this garden was established by John, 2nd Duke of Montagu, to complement the alterations he was making to Palace House. Visit in March and April to see the bright masses of snowdrops, crocuses, daffodils and bluebells that carpet the garden and Palace House moat.

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Victorian Kitchen Garden

Restored to its 1872 layout, this garden and its century-old vine house still supplies Palace House with seasonal vegetables, fruit and flowers.

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Victorian Flower Garden

Herbaceous borders crammed with colourful flowers and a sweet smelling Rose Garden planted with old garden roses.

ALICE'S ADVENTURES IN WONDERLAND TOPIARY

See all your favourite characters from the much-loved classic, sitting around their 'thyme for tea' herb planted table in the Alice's Adventures in Wonderland topiary display. Hop on the Monorail for a bird's-eye view!

Love-lock tree

Visitors to Beaulieu can lock their love away on this unique sculpture in the beautiful and historic part of the New Forest. Find out how.

Tree Carvings

Come face-to-face with a giant Green Man tree carving on the Mill Pond Walk. See the many-headed Hydra stretching out into the river and take a ride on the Monorail for the best view of the magnificent Griffin.

A selection of Beaulieu's flora throughout the seasons

Seasonal Guide

Plan your trip to Beaulieu's grounds and gardens with our handy seasonal guide. From carpets of daffodils in the spring to plump pumpkins in the autumn, there's always something interesting to see at Beaulieu!

Read Seasonal Guide

Wisteria and statue in the Beaulieu gardens

ITINERARIES: PLAN YOUR DAY OUT

To help you make the most of your visit, we've put together some suggested itineraries with hints and tips to help you plan your day out at Beaulieu.

Day out itineraries

Can I bring a picnic?

Yes, there are many places to picnic within Beaulieu’s picturesque parkland. Picnic tables are provided as well as an undercover area for all-weather dining.

Can I bring my dog?

Dogs are welcomed at Beaulieu and are permitted within the grounds, but for the benefit of other visitors we do require that they be kept on a lead and under control at all times. Owners are also asked to ensure that no mess is left within the grounds where it will be offensive to others. We provide scoops for disposal of mess free of charge. These are available from Visitor Reception.

We regret that we do not allow dogs inside the National Motor Museum, Palace House, Abbey, Brabazon Restaurant, World of Top Gear, On Screen Cars, the Secret Army Exhibition, or on any of the rides. Please note that there is a special area available beneath the Motor Museum entrance where your dog may be left whilst you visit the Motor Museum. Please note this is not a supervised area and owners leave their dogs at their own risk.

We wish to respectfully remind visitors that the RSPCA advise against leaving dogs and other animals in cars. However, if you consider that weather conditions permit you to do so, please ensure that there is adequate ventilation at all times, while still maintaining your vehicle's security. Pass-outs are available from Visitor Reception allowing you to check, at any time during your visit, that your dog is not in any distress.