Beaulieu Abbey

This thirteenth century Cistercian abbey forms part of the Montagu estate at Beaulieu. Despite much of it being destroyed during the dissolution of the monasteries, there is still much to see.

It was founded by King John and housed 30 monks from the abbey of Cîteaux, the mother house of the Cistercian order, in France. Monks from Beaulieu founded four other abbeys, including the one at Netley.

After the dissolution, Thomas Wriothesley, 1st Earl of Southampton, gained ownership. He converted the great gatehouse into Palace House and gave the monks refectory to the people of Beaulieu village as their parish church. Beaulieu remains in the ownership of the descendants of Wriothesley to this day.

Beaulieu is reputed to be one of Britain's most haunted places and ghosts have been seen, heard and sensed for over a hundred years.

Lady Montagu has designed and created wall hangings depicting the history of the Abbey and these are on view to the public.

The abbey grounds, Palace House and the National Motor Museum share the grounds of the estate and are open to the public. For more information please visit the Beaulieu Abbey website.