Beaulieu, Bucklers Hard, Exbury, East Boldre & Norleywood Walking Map

Walking in the area around Beaulieu, Buckler’s Hard, Exbury, East Boldre, and Norleywood offers a rich and varied experience that blends natural beauty with deep historical roots. Set within the stunning New Forest National Park, this region is threaded with well-marked footpaths and scenic trails suitable for walkers of all abilities (the New Forest National Park’s numbered waymarkers are shown). Notable routes include the Solent Way, which skirts the coast offering expansive views over the Beaulieu River, and the Beaulieu to Buckler’s Hard walk, a gentle riverside route lined with ancient woodlands and saltmarshes teeming with wildlife. For those seeking more elevation, the nearby rolling hills provide light hill walks with rewarding views over the surrounding countryside. Coastal features like tidal mudflats, creeks, and shingle beaches near the Solent add ecological interest, with opportunities to spot wading birds and other coastal species.

This area is steeped in heritage and history. Walkers can explore historic attractions such as Beaulieu Abbey and Palace House, or the fascinating maritime village of Buckler’s Hard, once a centre for shipbuilding. The Exbury Gardens and Steam Railway offers a charming historic railway line, complete with bridges and viaducts through beautifully landscaped gardens. The region is dotted with remnants of its past, including manor houses, wartime airfields near East Boldre, and castles such as nearby Hurst Castle along the coast. Together, these features make the area not just a walker’s paradise, but also a journey through England’s natural and cultural heritage.