Page 98 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - England's South Coast

96  ENGLAND ’ S SOUTH C O AST REGION B Y REGION

E Palace House and
About 8 km (5 miles) north of National Motor Museum
Romsey, Mottisfont Abbey is a Beaulieu. Tel 01590 612345. Open late
historic house with sections that May–Sep: 10am–6pm daily; Oct–late
date from the 13th to the 18th May: 10am–5pm daily. Closed 25 Dec.
century. Inside is a permanent art & 7 0 - = ∑ beaulieu.co.uk
collection with works by Degas,
as well as a room decorated in Environs
the 1930s by artist Rex Whistler. South of Beaulieu, Buckler’s
The house has gorgeous gardens. Hard is a well-preserved village
built by Lord Montagu in the
P Mottisfont Abbey 18th century. It was once a
Near Romsey. Tel 01794 340757. centre for shipbuilding, using
Open House & Gallery: Mar–Oct: timber from the New Forest to
11am–5pm daily; Nov–Feb: 10am– construct hulls for Royal Navy
4pm daily. Gardens: Mar–Oct: 10am– vessels, but fell into decline when
The interior of Romsey Abbey, a fine 5pm daily; Nov–Feb: 10am–dusk sailing ships gave way to steam.
example of British Norman architecture daily. Closed 24 & 25 Dec. & 7 Today, a maritime museum hosts
ø ∑ nationaltrust.org.uk exhibitions on shipwright skills.
7 Romsey Boat cruises are also available.
Hampshire. Map B2. * 18,000. 3 8 Beaulieu P Buckler’s Hard
@ n Church St; 01794 512987. (
Tue, Fri & Sat. ∑ visitromsey.co.uk Hampshire. Map B2. * 850. 3 Beaulieu. Tel 01590 616203. Open
Beaulieu Rd. @ ∑ thenewforest. late Mar–Sep: 10am–5pm daily; Oct–
This charming market town grew co.uk late Mar: 10am–4:30pm daily. Closed
up around Romsey Abbey, built 25 Dec. & 7 limited. 0 - =
around 1130 on the remains of an The Beaulieu estate is one of ∑ bucklershard.co.uk
older Saxon church. The Norman Britain’s most popular aristocratic
church has a nave of simple homes. Palace House, once the
columns and rounded arches. gatehouse of Beaulieu Abbey, 9 Lymington
Nearby, the heritage centre at has been home to the Montagu Hampshire. Map B2. * 6,000.
King John’s House combines a family since 1538. Parts of the 3 Mill Lane. @ ( Sat.
19th-century gun shop with a house were built in the 13th ∑ thenewforest.co.uk
Tudor-era extension built onto century, but it was renovated in
one of the oldest surviving the Victorian era in Neo-Gothic With a Georgian high street,
houses in England, with graffiti style. The vast estate can be cobbled lanes, restaurants and a
left by medieval knights in 1306. toured by monorail and sights busy Saturday market, Lymington
On the edge of Romsey is include an Alice in Wonderland- has plenty of charm. Its location
Broadlands, an elegant 1730s themed topiary garden and an on the Solent facing the Isle of
Palladian mansion set in a park exhibit on monastic life in the Wight, with ferries across, makes
landscaped by “Capability” Brown ruins of the original abbey it a popular sailing harbour, and
(see p25). It was the home of (founded in 1204 by King John there are three marinas. Near the
the Victorian prime minister for Cistercian monks). harbour is the Sea Water Baths,
Lord Palmerston and later of The most famous attraction of an open-air seawater swimming
Earl Mountbatten. Beaulieu is the National Motor pool built in 1833.
Museum. Established by the
R Romsey Abbey current Lord Montagu’s father Sea Water Baths
Church Lane. Tel 01794 513125. in 1952, it is home to one of Bath Rd. Tel 01590 678882. Open
Open 7:30am–6pm Mon–Sat, the world’s finest collections Apr–Jul: 2:30–6pm Mon–Fri, 10am–
9am–6pm Sun. 8 7 5 = of vintage vehicles. A single 6pm Sat & Sun; Jul–Sep: 10am–6pm
∑ romseyabbey.org.uk ticket is valid for all daily. & 7 - ∑ lymington
E King John’s House the attractions. seawaterbaths.org.uk
Church St. Tel 01794 512200. Open
10am–4pm Mon–Sat. & 7 limited.
- = ∑ kingjohnshouse.org.uk
P Broadlands
Broadlands Park. Tel 01794 505080.
Open Jul & Aug: 1–4pm Mon–Fri. &
8 0 - = ∑ broadlands
estates.co.uk
Environs
North of Romsey runs the River
Test, renowned for fly-fishing and
flanked by the Test Way footpath. The Neo-Gothic towers and gables of Palace House, Beaulieu
For hotels and restaurants in this region see pp176–7 and pp186–8

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