From the season’s first River Cruises to a free art exhibition and fun with the Buzztastic Bee-Balancing Blundershow at Family Conservation Awareness Day, here are new reasons to visit Buckler’s Hard this spring and Easter:

1. First River Cruise of the season

Image: Samantha Cook Photography

Looking forward to getting back on the water? Feel the breeze in your hair and explore an unspoilt New Forest haven as the River Cruise starts on Good Friday, for the rest of the season ahead. All of the family will love looking for wildlife and hearing fascinating tales about Buckler’s Hard and the Beaulieu River.

River cruises run daily from March 29 and sail from the jetty at the bottom of Buckler’s Hard High Street from 11am – 4.30pm. Tickets can be bought on board. For details and prices visit https://bucklershard.co.uk/attractions/river-cruise/

2. The Art of Buckler’s Hard exhibition

Image: Beaulieu Enterprises Ltd

A free art exhibition inspired by Sky Arts’ Landscape Artist of the Year semi-finalists’ paintings of Buckler’s Hard, as well as artworks from the Montagu family collection, is now open in the maritime village.

See the semi-finalists’ original paintings as well as watercolours, oil paintings, sketchbooks, textiles and other works of art from the Montagu archives. The Art of Buckler’s Hard can be seen in the Shipyard Office on the High Street from now until November 3.

3. Enter an art competition

If you a budding Picasso, Monet or Rembrandt – or just enjoy capturing the beauty of Buckler’s Hard – this is the competition for you!

To celebrate the opening of The Art of Buckler’s Hard exhibition, amateur and professional artists are being invited to enter their artworks – and chosen entries will be put on display.

Capture the natural charm of picturesque Buckler’s Hard and its maritime past, as the place where ships were built for Nelson’s fleet at Trafalgar. Then enter your drawing, painting, print, sculpture, ceramic or textile under the theme of ‘Sailing by’, ‘Where time flows differently’ or ‘Step back in history’ for a chance to win awards and prizes.

For more details see www.bucklershard.co.uk/artexhibitioncompetition

4. Join the first Easter egg hunt

Image: Samantha Cook Photography

Come for the egg-stra special first Buckler’s Hard Easter egg hunt on Easter Sunday from 11.30am.

We’ll help with clues as you explore the village for large eggs, then collect your prize from Henry’s pub at the Master Builder’s House from our special Easter guest 🐰

Book your free place on the hunt here: What’s on | Master Builder’s (themasterbuilders.co.uk).

Park at Buckler’s Hard car park, head down the village to Henry’s to get your hunt card, then get hunting…!

5. The Great British Dog Walk

Dogs are welcome on a lead at Buckler’s Hard – even inside the museum! So we’re proud to be hosting The Great British Dog Walk on Saturday 13th April.

The charity dog walk is raising money for Hearing Dogs for Deaf People and you can walk the shorter 4km or longer 7.5km route.

Park at Buckler’s Hard car park then register from 10am for the 11am start. For details and tickets, which include a free dog bandana, visit https://www.facebook.com/events/401820618926477/?ref=newsfeed

6. Visit new pub Henry’s

Spring is the perfect time to get out and about and Henry’s is the new pub to visit at the Master Builder’s House. It has been named in honour of the 18th century shipbuilder Henry Adams, who once lived there. Try their new menu for the best local seasonal produce, as well as Sunday roasts and daily specials.

7. Re-opened riverside walk

Now is the ideal time of year for a riverside walk, so choose from two walking loops with stunning views across the Beaulieu River. There is even a bird hide along the way at Keeping Marsh, to spot the wildlife.

To keep nesting birds safe, we just ask that you keep dogs on a lead and there are boxes to borrow a lead at either end of the walk between Buckler’s Hard and Beaulieu. Download the route, then spot landmarks along the way. For more details visit https://bucklershard.co.uk/riverside-walk-reopens/ and see our preview: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rpLd1CesqZ0

8. Family Conservation Awareness Day – with the Buzztastic bee show

Discover how you can help to protect the environment, while you enjoy fun activities and informative displays at Family Conservation Awareness Day on Sunday 12th May from 10am – 3.30pm. Entry is free.

Meet and chat with local conservation groups as experts from the RSPB, New Forest National Park, the Countryside Restoration Trust, Natural England, Forestry England and British Divers Marine Life Rescue gather for the Buckler’s Hard event.

You may have heard of a flea circus but what about a bee circus? The Buzztastic Bee-Balancing Blundershow brings Dr Albinele and his travelling hive to the event. Learn the waggle dance, join in with sticky ball pollination and watch out for the exterminator, while you learn how important bees really are!

Face painting is not just for children, while a sustainability trail leads around Buckler’s Hard Apple Orchard and New Forest Marque members share some of their produce.

Visits to Buckler’s Hard

Entry to Buckler’s Hard is free, with free access to exhibitions The Art of Buckler’s Hard and HMS Agamemnon – Navigating the Legend, as well as the original Shipwright’s Cottage and St Mary’s Chapel. 

With an admission ticket to Buckler’s Hard Museum, discover more about Buckler’s Hard’s maritime past and follow residents’ stories in the exhibition of village life.

Buckler’s Hard is also a great place to meet with family and friends. Drop anchor for brunch, lunch or a delicious cream tea at The Captain’s Table, before exploring the rest of the village.

Get the most of your visits to Buckler’s Hard throughout 2024, with the annual parking pass. For those arriving by car, a small parking charge contributes to the upkeep of the historic village and you can buy the pass from the onsite parking machines or the parking app. For more details click her see Car parking charges – Buckler’s Hard Maritime Museum | New Forest, Hampshire (bucklershard.co.uk).

Buckler’s Hard, in the heart of the New Forest, is accessible by foot, car, motorbike – or boat! For more details see www.bucklershard.co.uk or call 01590 616203

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