Moorings on the Beaulieu River

The Beaulieu River drains much of the central New Forest in Hampshire. It becomes tidal at Beaulieu village and runs south-east past Buckler's Hard to the Solent at Needs Ore, where a lighthouse marks the entrance channel. It is one of the few privately owned tidal rivers in Britain: the river and its bed belong to Lord Montagu of Beaulieu, it forms the south-eastern edge of the Beaulieu Estate, and the harbour master's office is at Buckler's Hard.

Below Beaulieu village the river is navigable by small craft. The bar at the entrance has about 0.9 m over chart datum at low water springs, and a reach of similar depth lies on the approach to Buckler's Hard, so deeper boats should plan their passage on a rising tide. The river has a double high tide, a 5 knot speed limit, and anchoring only between piles 20 and 22. Buckler's Hard was once a naval shipbuilding yard, where Nelson's Agamemnon was built.

Moorings on the Beaulieu River centre on Buckler's Hard Yacht Harbour, with walk-ashore pontoon berths that have water and shore power, and more than 300 swinging moorings laid along the river. There is also a boat park with a slipway, fuel, a chandlery and a boatyard. The mooring year starts on 1 April, and there can be a waiting list for annual berths and moorings depending on boat length.