The Boat Club Beaulieu

Our berth E14 is ready and waiting for Tiger Lily to arrive. 

It was a great day back in January, which now feels a long time ago, that we secured the last remaining berth at the newly extended Marina at Bucklers Hard on the Beaulieu River. 

This was an exciting day for The Boat Club. We had driven to Lymington to check out our Marina berth at Berthon. It was fine and is in a good location, but we are always striving to achieve different experiences for our members and we yearned for something that was special and unique.

So, Captain Chris, and Stuart who had been searching in vain for a couple of takeaway coffees at Berthon, got back into The Boat Club's super Audi S4 and set off into the New Forest. 

The short drive through the open lanes took us past ponies, ponds and the occasional old English pub. The picturesque journey brought us a smile. Just short of Beaulieu village and the vintage motor museum we took a right turn and entered the famous Beaulieu Estate which owns the Marina.

Bucklers Hard Marina nestles on a bend in the River in a truly magnificent setting being in the midst of the English countryside. The Marina has excellent facilities with car parking, new shower block and a small shop and chandlery. 

The staff were most welcoming and showed us the last berth available. The Marina was due open in March. We snapped up the berth and booked in Tiger Lily as we thought she would be the ideal boat for The Boat Club at Beaulieu. 

Feeling rather chuffed with ourselves, and with Stuart still not given up on the coffee idea, we strolled along the river path and found The Master Builders. 

Steeped in history The Master Builders commanded a stunning view over the River. We could not help but notice the preserved mud berths where many of the ships were built that fought at the Battle of Trafalgar. We were humbled by thoughts of this legendary day which secured Britain as the undisputed ruler of the waves. Admiral Horatio Nelson is hopefully smiling upon us. The coffee tasted good. 

At Beaulieu life is simple. Everything is at hand and the River always beckons. We wanted to cast off, potter down the River, see the famous country estates fronting the Banks, maybe stop at Ginns Farm for a spot of lunch and perhaps break out for a blast into the Solent. 

The thought though of getting back early for a sundowner and a slice of home made pie at The Master Builders may be too hard to resist. 

Our day was complete, we had have found that unique experience for our Boat Club members. Special days at Beaulieu are something to look forward to, and will surely now be more important than ever.