So - What is the Attraction with Buckler's Hard?

[upthesolent]

Looking at some recent posts in the Pub, Bar Recommendations Forums, I notice a lot of complaints about the local inn. This, with apparently damned expensive moorings had me thinking why it seems so "popular".

I've never been there and though Google Images shows it as a pretty destination, is it really worth it with the price and poor facilities to boot? Do those that go there really enjoy it?

 

[Babylon]

Nothing wrong with Buckler's Hard.

Problem is the pub: its a monopoly with no competition to keep it keen, has no character (despite the fake portraits of ye olde naval types near the hotel reception), Polish guy behind the bar at 10.00am this morning wasn't able to serve me a coffee, etc.

Still, its a nice return-trip destination if one's got non-sailing friends or family on board for a day sail from the Hamble - less hectic than Cowes and always seems a tad more of a sail to get there.

 

[Poignard]

'So - What is the Attraction with Buckler's Hard?'

I don't know, it always reminds me of Captain Scott's last words:

"Great God - this is an awful place"

 

[Seajet]

It's a very nice place, though a long trog up the river.

It could be absolutely wonderful, and I think that's the most annoying thing.

Let's just say the comments on the pub /restaurant guide were not exaggerating; all it would take is someone to stand up to Montagu and say " we could do this so much better, forget the captive market approach ".

Worth a visit to see the place - I understand at least the truly diabolical harbour staff practices have improved a lot - but take some tranquilisers with you !

I haven't been back for years since a goon stomped into my cockpit in the morning and tried to open my main hatch looking for dues - and he was no youngster - but as I say I'm told that side at least has improved.

 

[BlueSkyNick]

The best thing about Bucklers Hard is the footpath going away from it - very pretty walk through the trees, up the river to Beaulieu itself.

 

[Resolution]

Bucklers Hard

It can be a magic tranquil beautiful spot. We were there ten days ago in a group of four yachts, twenty people. 20 knots out in the west Solent but calm up the river. We berthed on the ferry jetty and had a barbeque on the Green. Sat out on the Green till midnight, chuffing a mellow burgundy, then retired on board for a nightcap. Marina staff were perfecctly civilised throughout, the loos were excellent. Our womenfolk were very happy.
We left fairly early the next morning, before the buses and grockles arrived.

OK, so it is not free, but the £40 berthing fee split between six on my boat is just the same as a round of drinks and far better value.

 

[jhr]

There are lots of things wrong with Bucklers Hard and I've said some of them myself: the pub, in particular, is a hugely wasted opportunity and it's sometimes hard to appreciate the beauty of your surroundings when the village is swarming with visitors in high season.

However, the fact is that for all its faults, Bucklers Hard and the Beaulieu River remain relatively unspoilt and a lot of this is down to Lord Montague, who conserved the unique character of the river in the days before it was fashionable to do so. If he had not done so, it would probably just be another Hamble, crammed full of marinas and over-developed.

If the price of that is expensive mooring fees then I'm happy to pay them - and I do, all year round. The harbourmaster and his staff always seem fine to me and the facilities, whilst not the best in the Solent, are perfectly adequate.

I'm not a huge fan of the boatyard, but that's another story.....

 

[l'escargot]

There is nowhere like it and it doesn't attract the usual Solent hoards. The pub us fine for a drink and we have met some interesting people in there over the years, we always stock up on provisions before going there and eat on board. It is peaceful and long may it remain so, getting a good pub there would probably be the first step towards changing it into just another busy Solent destination with rafted up charter boats - I don't think I have ever seen a Sunsail boat up there.

 

[epervier]

So - What is the Attraction with Buckler's Hard?

Put simply, it's not Hamble, Cowes, Lymington or Yarmouth, crammed full to overflowing,

it's a very scenic, peaceful river worth a visit, even if you don't stop, and it's free, whereas the HM at Hamble wanted £6 from me just to go up the bloody river!

boats that draw 4-5 feet can make it to the Abbey on springs, but local knowledge of the bottom is a must. to add, I've never seen the HM go to the mill to collect dues there's a two hour stand at high water, long enough to go for lunch in the "Mont" or tea up the high street.

No connection other than my s.i.l. is the estates wildlife conservation officer.

 

[chrisedwards]

There are lots of things wrong with Bucklers Hard and I've said some of them myself: the pub, in particular, is a hugely wasted opportunity and it's sometimes hard to appreciate the beauty of your surroundings when the village is swarming with visitors in high season.

However, the fact is that for all its faults, Bucklers Hard and the Beaulieu River remain relatively unspoilt and a lot of this is down to Lord Montague, who conserved the unique character of the river in the days before it was fashionable to do so. If he had not done so, it would probably just be another Hamble, crammed full of marinas and over-developed.

If the price of that is expensive mooring fees then I'm happy to pay them - and I do, all year round. The harbourmaster and his staff always seem fine to me and the facilities, whilst not the best in the Solent, are perfectly adequate.

I'm not a huge fan of the boatyard, but that's another story.....

if only we'd won at Hastings

 

[BlackJacksGaff]

I think Bucklers Hard is great. If you don't like it don't come back.

 

[jhr]

if only we'd won at Hastings

We did.

Yours sincerely,

William of Normandy

 

[Boathook]

As others have said it is the river and not the marina for me. After the bustle of the Solent a gentle sail up the river (wind permitting) is really nice. I suspect that if the pub was better the area would be more crowded or the visitor moorings cost even more.

 

[Tom Price]

No problem with my 3ft draft

Every year the Parker-Seal Association BBQ at Timbrells opposite

There's more water there

But I prefer this concrete slab alongside the Palace Wall

where I can count P-brackets (joke) before dining in Monty's Bistro.

NOW you see why I was so frustrated at missing Chrissie's shindig!

 

[MissIsle]

If you don't like Bucklers hard, ther's plenty of water up at "The Folly", & the Berthing Master could fit the Southampton Boatshow onto my front lawn, & still have a smile on his face!

 

[Topcat47]

If Paris is worth a mass, then the river is worth a visit to the hard. I've always found the harbour wombles polite and helpful and not as over keen to collect as some places I've visited. The pub is DIRE, the food and service awful but as has been said you can always walk along the river to Beaulieu.

 

[Channel Sailor]

The best thing about Bucklers Hard is the footpath going away from it - very pretty walk through the trees, up the river to Beaulieu itself.

But then at Beaulieu there is nothing much. But there is nice ice cream, and a pleasant little cafe. From my last visit the Master Builders food was not cheap, but portions were very large. The Ringwood bitter is easy drinking as well.

 

[Channel Sailor]

As others have said it is the river and not the marina for me. After the bustle of the Solent a gentle sail up the river (wind permitting) is really nice. I suspect that if the pub was better the area would be more crowded or the visitor moorings cost even more.

My preference to avoid the shore connected pontoons at Bucklers. Instead use the very peaceful and cheaper central river pontoon, and have a tender and outboard to get ashore.

 

[Talulah]

From my last visit the Master Builders food was not cheap, but portions were very large.

We didn't eat there Saturday night having glanced at what was being delivered to other tables. One of my crew did place a food order but when he asked to have carrots instead of peas you would have thought he was asking for the World. He cancelled his food order.

 

[Seajet]

If the Ringwood bitter goes down well it must have changed a great deal since I tried it, they've probably been forced to improve by the Geneva Convention and even then it's only if you have a strobe light or Tazer to get served.

I'm mystified by the comments about Beaulieu village though, the pub there is still run by Montagu, with remarkably laid back staff, though like just about anything it is better than the Master Builders.

A decent bus link to Boldre or Lymington would be wonderful, I suspect over-subscribed too !