The River Beaulieu is one of the prettiest destinations in the area and makes an excellent and lunch stop or well sheltered overnight stay.

Least depth on the bar is just under 1m LAT so it is often possible to enter the river even at low water, given settled weather and an appropriate degree of care. On the other hand at springs or with an onshore wind against the ebb the entry should not be underestimated.

The mouth of the river is found just west of Stone Point, where the West Solent narrows at its eastern end, and is marked by a three legged dolphin. This should be approached on a bearing of about 339º from at least a couple of cables out, a good starting point being the round yellow racing buoy which is moored here in season.

Close in, line up the first port hand beacon beyond the dolphin with the eastern end of Lepe House, the large obvious building with a red roof, to find the best water. Once over the bar the channel is well marked and will lead you WSW parallel to the Solent past Gull Island for some way before turning inland again through attractive meadow land dotted with woods.

Away from the Solent there are moorings most of the way up the river which, where free, may be utilised by visitors subject to the usual willingness to relinquish them promptly should the regular tenant return. There is also a visitors’ pontoon in mid-stream or, further up, the marina at Buckler’s Hard which features basic provisions, a pub serving food and a maritime museum telling the story of shipbuilding here in Nelson’s time. From Buckler’s Hard there are also lovely riverside walks all the way to Beaulieu starting from just behind the Agamemnon Boatyard.

Wherever you stay there will be a charge collected by the harbour staff.

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