A beautiful destination on the edge of the  New Forest has been named one of the top “prettiest villages for a cosy winter getaway”. Beaulieu, a “quintessential English village” in Hampshire, was handed the honour by National Rail, which dubbed it an “absolute gem”. Visitors have praised its range of sights to see, including a stunning palace and motor museum, and charming river. 

Beaulieu Palace is one of the ten ‘Treasure Houses’ of the UK, marking it as an “architectural masterpiece surrounded by “beautiful parklands and gardens”. The house, which has been the Montagu family home since 1538, overlooks the Beaulieu River millpond. It is described as a “fine example of a Victorian country house” and is adorned with family treasures, portraits and memorabilia inside. 

One visitor wrote on TripAdvisor: “Fabulous and interesting especially when decorated for Christmas. Plenty to see and do, very worthwhile visit.” Another said: “Really excellent house full of historical memorabilia and family links to the owners and their forbears. Everything well displayed and the staff on hand helped bring things to life.” 

A third posted: “Beaulieu Palace is maintained in splendid condition, with well-informed and costumed staff to explain how the house operated in yesteryear and exhibits from the generations who lived there bringing each room to life.”

At Beaulieu, visitors can buy one ticket which provides access to the Palace as well as the National Motor Museum. The museum states that it has “one of the finest collections of cars, motorcycles and motoring memorabilia in the world”. 

Beaulieu National Motor Museum has a TripAdvisor Travellers’ Choice Award, with one reviewer writing: “What a glorious place! Absolutely brilliant collection of cars in lovely grounds. My children (10-year-old car enthusiast and a 3-year-old) were kept entertained all day.”

Nearby, on the banks of the Beaulieu River, is the 18th century shipbuilding village, Buckler’s Hard, which is known for building warships for Nelson’s Navy.

Visitors can enjoy the museum which tells the stories of the ships and the village’s residents, or take a walk down the high street to watch the boats sailing on the river. 

There is also a scenic, two-mile footpath to follow, and visitors can take a cruise along Beaulieu River. One tourist said: “A smashing place overlooking the river.

Plenty of quaint old cottages from its shipbuilding past to walk around. And we also had a delightful trip on the boat down the river.” Another said it was like “stepping back in time”.