For the visiting yachtsman or motorboater, the Beaulieu River can make an interesting change from the wall-to-wall marinas found elsewhere in the Solent area.  Entry is possible for most boats, other than at dead low water springs. 

The River rises in Lyndhurst and makes it's way to the sea via Beaulieu and Bucklers Hard. It is navigable inland for a few miles and forms a very beautiful and unspoiled natural harbour with deepwater available past Bucklers Hard. The whole River and it's seabed are owned by Lord Montagu (of the Motor Museum fame), and under his stewardship there is no hint of overdevelopment. It is his coffers you will be enriching wherever you moor within  this river.

Apart from the numerous moorings and the charges, things probably aren't much different from when wooden walled warships were built for Nelson's fleet at Bucklers Hard.

Anchoring is not really possible deeper into the River, but it is not too difficult to get a mooring, or a berth at Bucklers Hard Marina. Wherever you berth in this River you will pay...the Harbourmaster's staff are afloat to give advice and collect the dues. Having said that this is one little haven where you can avoid the worst excesses of consumer boating, and enjoy things as they were perhaps 40 or 50 years ago (apart from the charges). There are some useful facilities for the boat, but this is not a place for serious provisioning or crew changes as transport is very limited.

The River has a bar with less than 1 m at LWS, and consultations will need to be made with the tide tables when planning entry. ... read more

The approach to Beaulieu River from seawards involves keeping a good offing, and making your final approach on a northerly heading.  There are plenty of shallows and drying areas awaiting the unwary,  so a good check of the charts and consultations with the tide tables will be needed. 

From the West once you have passed the red can West Lepe buoy (Fl.R) a generally north-easterly course will bring you to a position where you can spot the seasonal yellow spherical racing buoy "Raymarine" (Fl.Y.4s). Once spotted make your way towards it on a generally northerly course, and in the closer approach you will be able to identify transits described below. Keeping well to seaward of this yellow buoy will help you avoid shallows. If the buoy is missing (wintertimes) it's charted position is 50°46'.15 N and 001°22'.20 W, and approaching this waypoint on a generally northerly heading will serve equally well. In general just be aware that drying patches and shallow water radiate southwards from Beaulieu Spit, and that approaching the entrance on a northerly heading from a distance off will clear all of this. ... read more

For a visiting small craft mariner,  the mooring opportunities available in the Beaulieu River consist of  swinging moorings,  pile moorings and a small marina at Buckler's Hard.

Anchoring is not allowed in the River as it is too tight with moorings. There is a recognised anchorage in the first reach past the red post number 20, and off Gull Island, just out of the channel (to the north of the island and south of the channel). This is not very protected particularly with easterlies, and a long way from anywhere. A few white visitors mooring buoys are provided in this area. ... read more