Prepare to step back into the turbulent 17th century as history comes alive in spectacular fashion! On Saturday 11 – Sunday 12 July 2026, the stunning parklands of the Beaulieu Estate (SO42 7ZN) play host to A Royal Hunt: History Re-enactment Weekend. Running daily from 10:00 AM until 17:00 (5:00 PM BST), this highly immersive, family-friendly event sees the renowned Marquess of Winchester’s Regiment transform the grounds into a living Civil War arena. Visitors will be swept up in a high-stakes historical narrative: the New Model Army is hunting for King Charles in the New Forest—could the escaping monarch be hiding right inside the Beaulieu Estate?
History Re-enactment Weekend Timetable of Features
The Civil War encampments remain open for exploration all day. However, standard tactical maneuvers, artillery bombardments, and specialized arena events follow a strict daily schedule across both Saturday and Sunday:
- 10:00 AM: Living History Stations Open — The historical arena officially unlocks. Visitors can interact with 17th-century civilian artisans, browse the apothecary, or witness the Regiment’s initial troop muster and morning drills.
- 11:00 AM: Horse Drill Display (Parkland Arena) — New for 2026! Experience authentic Civil War cavalry demonstrations presented by Sir Richard Grenvile’s Regiment of Horse. Please note: This display features thunderous musket fire and three loud cannon firings.
- 11:30 AM: Infantry Drill Display (Parkland Arena) — Watch the regiment’s pikemen and musketeers assemble for tactical battlefield movements and formation drilling.
- 12:00 PM: Kids Drill (Military Living History Station) — A highly interactive session allowing younger history enthusiasts to step forward and learn fundamental 17th-century soldiering formations.
- 01:00 PM: Dinner & Feeding of the Troops — The military mess tents spring into action, showcasing how raw rations were prepared and distributed to soldiers and civilians under wartime constraints.
- 01:30 PM: Officers Dining Segment — Witness a fascinating living history recreation showcasing the high-status dining etiquette, menu choices, and social customs of the Regiment’s high-ranking Colonels.
- 01:45 PM: Falconry Display (Palace House Lawns) — Observe the ancient art of falconry as Lord Montagu’s dedicated falconer exercises magnificent birds of prey across the manicured estate gardens.
- 02:15 PM: Massed ‘Drum Jam’ Performance — Gather at the Civilian Living History Station for an energetic performance featuring traditional Civil War drumming cadences and period-accurate musical pieces.
- 03:00 PM: The Main Skirmish (Parkland Arena) — The weekend’s flagship event! The New Model Army and Royalist forces clash in a dramatic battlefield re-enactment. Expect heavy musket salvos and explosive artillery volleys.
- 03:45 PM: Second Falconry Display & Kids Drill — A final afternoon opportunity to join the Abbey lawn falconry showcase or let children take part in the secondary military drill sequence.
- 05:00 PM: Encampments & Archery Range Close — The living history stations shut down for the evening, concluding the day’s event schedule.
Tickets & Gate Price Packages
Booking tickets in advance online grants significant discounts compared to standard walk-up pricing tiers at the visitor reception desk:
| Ticket Category | Advance Online Price | On the Day Gate Price |
|---|---|---|
| Adult Entry | £24.81 | £27.56 |
| Child (Ages 4-16) | £14.57 | £16.19 |
| Family Group Bundle | £55.12 | £61.27 |
| Adult with Disability | £17.72 | £19.69 |
| Child with Disability | £11.03 | £12.25 |
| Registered Carer | FREE | FREE |
- Child Policy: Children under the age of 4 enter completely free of charge but still require a digital ticket, which can be claimed online during the standard booking process.
- Family Group Configurations: The base family bundle is calculated for 1 Adult and 3 Children. However, a family ticket can accommodate a maximum layout of 2 Adults and up to 6 Children.
- All-Inclusive Ticket Perks: Your event entry tickets aren’t just limited to the re-enactment arenas! Admission automatically grants full access to the standard Beaulieu attractions, including the National Motor Museum, World of Top Gear, Palace House, and the Secret Army Exhibition.
Local Tip: Traditional archery sessions hosted by New Forest Activities run continuously from 10:30 AM to 5:00 PM (briefly pausing for a lunch break at 1:00 PM). Because these shooting lanes operate on a first-come, first-served basis with no pre-booking, lines peak heavily directly after the 11:30 AM infantry drills. Head to the archery range right at 10:30 AM or during the 1:30 PM officers’ lunch window to completely bypass the longest queues!
The Beaulieu Estate sits deep within the protected landscape of the New Forest National Park. Drivers must pay close attention to rural traffic conditions:
- B3056 & B3054 Narrow Lanes: Expect slow-moving traffic around Lyndhurst, Brockenhurst, and the immediate approaches to Beaulieu village. Keep a sharp eye out for free-roaming New Forest ponies, cattle, and donkeys positioned right along the unfenced roadside verges.
How to Get to the Beaulieu Estate (SO42 7ZN)
The estate visitor entrance is situated just outside the historic village of Beaulieu:
- By Car: Navigate using the postcode SO42 7ZN. From Southampton, take Junction 2 of the M27 motorway and follow the clear brown and white tourist signs guiding traffic straight to the main visitor car parks.
- By Train & Bus: Take a direct South Western Railway service from Southampton Central to Brockenhurst Station. From there, you can board the seasonal open-top New Forest Tour Bus (Green Route), which operates daily throughout July and drops passengers directly at the Beaulieu entrance gates. Alternatively, local Morebus route 112 connects Hythe to Beaulieu.
- By Bicycle: The estate is highly accessible via the comprehensive New Forest cycle network paths, featuring dedicated cycle parking racks near the primary Visitor Reception area.
Where to Park at the Beaulieu Estate
With large crowds anticipated for the event weekend, parking is managed across extensive on-site arrays:
- Main Visitor Car Parks: Beaulieu features massive open-air visitor lots located directly in front of the National Motor Museum capable of holding up to 1,000 vehicles. Parking is completely free of charge.
- Accessible Parking: A dedicated car park reserved exclusively for Blue Badge holders is situated immediately adjacent to the main Visitor Reception building for flat, easy access.
- Motorhomes & Oversized Vehicles: Visitors arriving in motorhomes or towing caravans are directed to park in the designated coach bays. There are no height restrictions entering or exiting the property layout.
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Frequently Asked Questions
- What date and time is A Royal Hunt: History Re-enactment Weekend?
- The event takes place over the weekend of Saturday 11 and Sunday 12 July 2026. Living history stations and encampments open daily at 10:00 AM and close promptly at 5:00 PM BST.
- Where exactly does the re-enactment weekend take place?
- The entire event is hosted inside the grounds of the Beaulieu Estate, located in the New Forest, Hampshire, using the navigation postcode SO42 7ZN.
- Are the battlefield displays loud or scary for young children?
- The horse drill at 11:00 AM and the main skirmish at 3:00 PM feature highly realistic musket salvos and multiple loud cannon firings. Ear defenders are strongly recommended for younger children, toddlers, or individuals sensitive to sudden loud noises.
- Is there an extra charge to participate in archery or falconry?
- No, both the archery sessions hosted by New Forest Activities and the formal falconry displays on the Palace House lawns are completely free and included in your standard entry ticket price.
- Does my ticket grant access to the rest of the Beaulieu attractions?
- Yes! All event tickets are completely all-inclusive, giving you full standard admission to the National Motor Museum, Palace House, Beaulieu Abbey, World of Top Gear, and the extensive parklands.