Untouched village ‘that’s like stepping back to the 1700s’ where top TV shows are filmed – & you can even stay the night
THERE’S a “magical” village in the UK where holidaymakers are transported back in time, that appears untouched by the passage of time.’
The picturesque village is home to quaint brick buildings, a sloping footpath, and several tourist attractions.
Set on the Beaulieu River in the heart of the New Forest, Buckler’s Hard has been welcoming holidaymakers since the mid-1900s.
The village was first built as a free trade port, but it became famous as a shipbuilding yard during the 18th Century.
Royal Navy ships were constructed in the village, including three that fought at the Battle of Trafalgar.
Its naval history extended into the Second World War when the village was used to build motor torpedo boats.
Tourists returned to the village after the war ended, with many enjoying boat trips and excursions along the river.
Buckler’s Hard has been described as a “living” village where visitors can explore the village grounds and paths for free.
Several historical brick buildings in the village are open to the public, including Shipwright’s Cottage, Shipwright Workshop, and St Mary’s Chapel.
Beyond the buildings, there are other tourist attractions too, including Buckler’s Hard Maritime Museum, which first opened in 1963.
Inside the museum, guests will find out more about the history of the village, and the ships that were built there.
Tickets to the museum cost £5.90 for a full-paying adult, and £4.00 for children aged between five and 17.
Holidaymakers can also book boat trips along the Beaulieu River to explore some of the local wildlife.
The river cruises operate daily between April 1 and October 29, with tickets starting from £7.00 per person.
Visitors have been raving about the village on TripAdvisor too, where it has been given 4/5 stars from nearly 2,000 reviews.
One person wrote: “We took the kids to Buckler’s Hard, and they had a fantastic day including a superb boat trip.”
Another person wrote: “Buckler’s Hard is a step straight back into the 18th Century, as far as a peaceful environment is concerned.
“It offers an idyllic break from the everyday, and the views over the river are stunning – especially in the evening, when the atmosphere is magical.”
A third wrote: “We had a beautifully relaxing time here with a wonderful view from the cottage houses down to the river.”
And it’s not just Brit holidaymakers who’ve been impressed by the riverside village either.
The site has also been used as a filming location for several TV shows, including the BBC adaptation of Charles Dicken’s Great Expectations starring Olivia Coleman.
Buckler’s Hard is a two-hour drive away from London, a 50-minute drive from Portsmouth, and a 30-minute drive from Southampton.
Holidaymakers can also book to stay at the Master Builder’s House in the village, with prices starting from £69.50 per person, based on two people sharing a room.
Sun Travel recently stayed at the Master Builder’s House.
Other nearby attractions include Exbury Gardens & Steam Railway, and the National Motor Museum.
Buckler’s Hard isn’t the only village in the UK where visitors will feel like they’ve stepped back in time.
Clovelly is a privately owned fishing village in Devon where cars are banned and visitors feel like they’ve been transported back hundreds of years.
And the UK is also home to another time-warp tourist “town” that’s like travelling back to the 1920s.
The “living museum” of Beamish in County Durham allows people to see what life would have been like in the UK between the 1820s – 1950s, with replica homes, pubs, shops, businesses and more.
Meanwhile, this UK town has been compared to a dreamy Italian village.