Christmas days out: Christmas at Beaulieu, the New Forest National Park

We are on the verge of winter and December is approaching very quickly, which means the countdown to Christmas is well and truly on!

There is something magical about the festive holiday, no matter how old you are. In the upcoming weeks, there are lots of Christmas events for you and your family to enjoy that’ll promise a magical day out! This blog will tell you all about Christmas at Beaulieu in the New Forest National Park.

Beaulieu – situated in the heart of the New Forest – was voted the best large visitor attraction of 2013 by VisitEngland and is a guaranteed great day out for the whole family! The small village, with its Georgian cottages next to the Beaulieu river, was the “birthplace” of many British naval vessels. You can visit the world famous National Motor Museum, which includes an amazing collection of automobiles, the Beaulieu Palace House, the home of the Montagu family since 1538 and the small village of Beaulieu with its historical sights. During this special time of the year, visitors of Beaulieu can enjoy the Christmas Celebrations! The Christmas celebrations take place from 20 December 2014 to 4 January 2015.

The Palace House overlooks the village and began in 1204 as the gatehouse to Beaulieu Abbey. The Montagu family bought the ancestral home from the crown in 1538 following the Dissolution of the Monasteries by Henry VIII. Since that time the house has been extended two times and is now a member of the Treasure Houses of England. Parts of the house and gardens are open to the public, even though it is the current home to Lord and Lady Montagu. Visitors to the Palace House during the Christmas Celebrations can talk to characters from Victorian times and children can dress up in period costumes! There will be carol singing and learning about life during those times at Christmas. Furthermore, visitors can enjoy the amazing Victorian-styled decorations in and around the house, including a stunning Christmas tree in the Upper Drawing Room and stroll around the grounds to see the large Christmas trees of the New Forest, also seasonally decorated!

In the National Motor Museum, visitors can enjoy one hundred years of motoring history and World of Top Gear. You can also choose to end the day by taking a ride on the monorail or on the Veteran London bus to see all that Beaulieu has to offer. Christmas gifts can be bought in the extensive gift shop, including books, videos, toys and stocking fillers!

Tickets to the Christmas Celebration includes entry to the National Motor Museum, Palace House & Gardens, Beaulieu Abbey, and World of Top Gear. Click here to buy your tickets in advance and receive a 10% discount!

Click here for more information about Christmas at Beaulieu.

Make the most out of your Christmas getaway by staying at a nearby hotel, such as The Montagu Arms Hotel. The picturesque village of Beaulieu nestles quietly in the depths of the New Forest, yet it would be hard to find a more convenient base for exploring the local area than the Montagu Arms. Dining at The Michelin Starred Terrace Restaurant is what makes a stay at the Montagu Arms a truly memorable experience. For a less formal dining experience, Monty’s Brasserie and Bar offers a laid back and cosy atmosphere. For extra pampering, guests at The Montagu Arms have preferential rates at the state of the art Thai Sen Spa, located just six miles across the beautiful New Forest at sister hotel Careys Manor.

Alternatively, you can stay at Careys Manor Hotel & SenSpa, situated on the edge of the mellow village of Brockenhurst in the heart of the New Forest. The red-brick Victorian facade of Careys Manor offers an unpretentious welcome to this wonderfully comfortable spa hotel. Guests are free to explore the extensive health club facilities centring on a magnificent ozone swimming pool, complete with poolside Jacuzzi, sauna and steam rooms. The award-winning Manor Restaurant, the informal Blaireaus French bistro and the Thai Zen Garden Restaurant offer more variety of quality cooking than anyone could ask for. The New Forest is waiting on your doorstep and is remarkably easy to explore ‘car-free’. Ask for the complimentary shuttle service from the local train station when you book. The New Forest Tour Bus offers a ‘hop on- hop off’ service to help you explore the area and you can also rent bicycles from the hotel (or bring your own)!

Have an amazing Christmas day out at Beaulieu!

Horse at Beaulieu by Martin Hesketh