The Master Builders pub.
Britain’s maritime history has fascinating links with Buckler’s Hard, on the tidal river three miles downstream from Beaulieu. The hamlet consists mainly of two terraces of houses set widely apart and separated not only by the road down to the river but also by a wide turfed forecourt, on which New Forest ponies occasionally come for a graze.
Yet this tranquil place was once large and noisy with sounds of shipbuilding. The first ships were built there in Henry V’s time and upstream, at Bailey’s Hard, Beaulieu river produced its first naval vessel in 1698. But by the end of the 18th century Buckler’s Hard (a firm causeway built over soft ground) was employing four thousand men, building England’s “wooden walls” from the plentiful oak trees of the New Forest.
Many famous men-of-war were built from 1749 until well into the next century by Henry Adams, the Master Builder, followed by his two sons. Four of them, Agamemnon, Illustrious, Swiftsure and Euryalus fought at Trafalgar. Although at that famous battle Lord Nelson flew his flag in Victory, his favourite ship was Agamemnon. Nelson was given command of Agamemnon (launched in 1781) when the French Revolutionary Wars threatened Britain in 1793. It was when commanding her off Corsica that he lost his right eye.
Between 1745 and 1822 no fewer than fifty-five warships, fifteen merchantmen and two fire-ships were launched at the Hard. But the war of 1939-45 also gave this spot a chance to play a part in history.
Part of “Mulberry Harbour” for the Normandy landings was made nearby and from the old shipyard itself came anti-submarine patrol vessels and craft for air-sea rescue work.
 Family Food & Drink Festival Master Builder’s Hotel Local Pondhead Farm fantastic sausages
30th June – 1st July
Stall selling west country
The Cherry Tree Story
Since 1997 we have been selling our range of pickles, chutneys, jams and marmalades at local markets, prestigious shows and outdoor events across the country.
