VHF Channel 68

'Beaulieu River Radio'
01590 616200

FAQs

Beaulieu River > FAQs

We’ve answered some of your most frequently asked questions to help you plan your visit to the Beaulieu River.

If you can’t find the answer to your query here, please contact the team and we’ll be happy to help.

We recommend pre-booking for overnight stays.  We no longer take bookings for short stays, they are on a first come, first served basis.

Please see our Visiting page for more details.

Anchorage is available, but to protect the sensitive habitats of the river, anchoring is only permitted between piles 20 and 22. Please see our Visiting page for more details.

Yes, please tune into VHF Channel 68 and call us on Beaulieu River Radio (office) or Beaulieu River Patrol.

Yes, visitor moorings are marked with yellow ‘V’ label.

If you are unable to locate a free visitor mooring, you can pick up an empty mooring and then contact the Harbour Office. If we know the owner's movements, you are welcome to stay and leave the vessel to come ashore. However, if you pick up a mooring and the owner returns, you would be expected to vacate the mooring if requested. There will be river staff afloat during the summer who will also carry a list of suitable moorings.

There is a bar at the entrance of the river which is approximately 0.9m above chart datum at dead low water springs. If you pass this bar on a flooding tide, you will reach the marina without problem.

Please also note that there is a shallow reach as you approach Buckler’s Hard (by the white cottage with a white gangway). This is the same depth as at the entrance, so if you are entering the river on a falling tide, this should be considered.

Watch our navigation video featuring author Tom Cunliffe for advice on how to enter the river and make your way up to the marina.  

Please call the Harbour Office if you would like further information. Tide times are available here.

For live tidal height data please visit Weather & Tide Times | Buckler’s Hard Yacht Harbour | Beaulieu RiverBeaulieu River.

The village is 2 ¼ miles from Buckler’s Hard, and can be reached via a gravelled footpath which passes through the heart of the Beaulieu Estate. Please note that in wet weather, this can become muddy in places so suitable footwear is recommended. This path is also suitable for cycles if you would prefer to avoid the road.

We may have a limited number of berths and swinging moorings available, depending on the size of your vessel. You can find more details here.

There may be, depending on the length of your vessel. Our mooring year commences on 1st April, so we are most likely to be able to offer you a suitable berth/mooring at the beginning of the calendar year. There is no cost to be added to the waiting list, and you can request to be removed at any time. Please contact us to add your details to our waiting list.

All of our walk ashore pontoons have access to fresh water, shore power, as well as services locally at Buckler’s Hard:

Yes, we offer free WiFi to both permanent and visiting customers. Please connect to BeaulieuRiverVisitors on your device for internet access. This is now a splash page, so no need for a password.  However, it needs to be refreshed after 24 hours. The WiFi covers the marina, chandlery and boatyard.

Bottled gas, ice, groceries and household items are available from the chandlery at the boatyard.

Whether you want a peaceful stay with a glass of wine in the evening, or something a little more active – there’s lots to do from the Beaulieu River. (Distances provided are from the Yacht Harbour).

Buckler's Hard (0 miles)

Beaulieu (2.25 miles)

  • Beaulieu visitor attraction. Including the National Motor Museum, World of Top Gear, Palace House and Beaulieu Abbey.
  • Beaulieu Village. A variety of shops including art gallery, tea rooms and garden centre.
  • New Forest Activities. Offer bike hire, canoeing tours, kayaking and archery tasters 

New Forest National Park

Explore the National Park, famous for its native ponies, wildlife and landscapes.

Visit our Things To Do section for more ideas.

No fishing is allowed on the Beaulieu river. 

Permits are available from the Beaulieu Estate Office to fish at Park Shore. Please see our fishing section for more information and to download a copy of the rules and regulations.

You can also join the fishing charter boat Lazy Daze, which operates out of the Beaulieu River. Please contact them directly for more information.

There is a slipway and parking available at Buckler’s Hard.  We have introduced an online booking system that allows you to book your launch slots by date and 2 hours blocks. If you want to check the tidal conditions before you arrive, please see our tide times section. It should be noted that the slipway does dry out at low water – please do not use 2 hours either side of low water, as it drops off steeply.

Please note that Buckler’s Hard is the only place you are permitted to launch/recover on the river (despite what external websites may imply). This is due to the protected status of the banks surrounding the river.

See our slipways & launch fees page.

Yes, you can find out more about holding a rally on the Beaulieu River in our rally section.

Yes, we are able to lift and launch vessels at Buckler’s Hard Yacht Harbour. Wash down and boat storage services are also available, please see our Boatyard page for more information.

We have a boat park for annual storage of smaller boats on trailers, up to a maximum length of 26’. Launching and recovery is included in the annual rate. Please contact us for further information, including prices and availability.

We value all customer feedback and aim to resolve any issues quickly and efficiently. If you have any concerns, please speak to our team and they'll be happy to help.

If you aren't entirely happy with the response you receive, you can see our complaints procedure here.

The flying of drones is not permitted at Buckler's Hard Yacht Harbour and over the Beaulieu River which are part of the Beaulieu Estate within the New Forest National Park.  The flying of drones without permission is prohibited on the Beaulieu Estate, in accordance with the New Forest National Park's guidance, available here https://www.newforestnpa.gov.uk/visiting/visitor-information/flying-drones-in-the-new-forest-national-park/