We’ve taken advantage of a pop up campsite at Beaulieu in the New Forest over this August Bank Holiday.
We arrived mid afternoon on Friday and then cycled into Beaulieu village, to stretch our legs & take advantage of the lovely weather.
The village is small and very pretty. It is still a surprise to find the New Forest ponies grazing the verges on the roads, many with foals still at foot. I found it disconcerting to see a couple of the foals with their fluffy tails, spread out, fast asleep on the verge, just inches from the traffic! Wanted to take a photo but the traffic meant I would be causing more chaos stopping safely to get the snap!
We then cycled onto Buckler’s Hard, which was a bit underwhelming, interesting to see the remains of the shipbuilding industry and the cottages reminded me of the cottages on the Green at Groombridge. we arrived late afternoon so too late for a boat trip or entry into the museum, however we thought we could grab a drink at the pub hotel before cycling off-road back to Beaulieu. Fate was against us, we walked back to pick the bikes up from bike park and by the time we had returned the pub had closed to non-residents!
Although we had planned a BBQ for the evening, the news that a wood fired pizza ‘horse box’ was on site changed that. Having food delivered in a box, ready to eat fitted the holiday vibe!
We had tickets for Beaulieu on Saturday. Walking in, we were surprised how quiet it seemed for a bank holiday weekend.
We started at the Top Gear exhibition, which featured different cars from Top Gear challenges over the years. The exhibition looked a little tired to be honest and although we both enjoy Top Gear, you would need to a real super fan to be excited by this exhibition.
Next up was The National Motor Museum, far more interesting with enough to keep both enthusiastic motor fans and the casual visitor entertained.
At one point we did wonder if we could pull off an ‘Ocean’s 11’ type of heist as there were a couple of engines and cars that would be handy to have as backups!
We did find Charlie’s ideal car though!
We spent the rest of our time visiting the gardens, Palace House and the SOE Museum. Beaulieu was used as a training centre for SOE agents during WWII. Men and women were trained in signals, undercover ops, field and survival craft, breaking and entering, explosives, killing and also experienced interrogation in an effort to prepare them if captured. Many now famous SOE agents were trained at Beaulieu. Noor Inayat Khan, Violette Szabo and Odette Sansom.
We returned back to the motorhome to watch the F1 Qualifying and then cycled out to the Forest, where we parked the bikes and walked. It was so peaceful and quiet, only disturbed by bees buzzing on the purple heather and the occasional snort of a contented pony.
In one day we had both found something we would like to take home! Can you guess who wanted what?
After a lazy Sunday morning, we walked into Beaulieu village to get some provisions and have a wander. More ponies by the Mill Pond, where they were being fussed by tourists who had just got off the open top bus. We found Patrick’s Patch, a lovely community garden to have a look round and had an icecream.
By chance, Charlie’s brother Jim and wife Jane had decided to spend a couple of days in the New Forest this Bank Holiday weekend. So mid afternoon they joined at our campsite to watch the F1 Grand Prix, which due to intermittent signal was a frustrating watch for Charlie.
Later that evening we met up again for a lovely meal at The Montagu Arms in the village.
Bank Holiday Monday, we embarked on a whistle stop tour of the New Forest, in Jim’s car. We visited Lymington, Brockenhurst via Sway, out to Rhinefield to drive down the Ornamental Drive, populated by Giant Sequoias & Redwoods. Then we went to Stoney Cross, a former WWII RAF & USAF base where we joined the queue behind the donkeys for an icecream!
Then we stopped in Lyndhurst and then headed off to see if the Ashurst campsite had any space, as we should have headed home today, but we’ve decided to stay another night. Sorry guys, we should be back at work by mid-morning!
Ashurst had space, the campsite is right in the forest, but next to a railway line which is fine as we are only here for a night! There are ponies and cattle wandering through the site and I’m really hoping the ponies stop at ours for a nap.
So disappointed, no ponies stopped by overnight but here’s some I met earlier. Our brief stay in the New Forest is over and we are now heading into work! Every silver lining has a cloud!
RoundandAbout 