Whether you’re a history buff, a local with a passion for the New Forest’s heritage, or simply someone who enjoys uncovering the hidden stories behind familiar places, our new History Highlight series is for you.
Each month, we’ll explore a different chapter of Buckler’s Hard’s past – from the people who shaped it, to the ships that carried its name across the world, to the everyday life of the shipyard.
The origins of the name are unclear, but it may refer to the Buckle family who appear in the Beaulieu Paris Registers in the late 17th century and may have used the hard as a landing place.
Its deep, sheltered channel allowed large vessels to be built and launched with confidence, while the surrounding New Forest provided one of the most valuable resources of the age: oak, perfect for the frames of wooden warships.
The arrival of Henry Adams, a respected shipwright, marked a defining moment. Under his direction, Buckler’s Hard flourished into a respected centre for naval shipbuilding, producing vessels that would later fight in major conflicts across the world.
The first of these was the 64-gun Vigilant, completed in 1774, with the 74-gun Illustrious following in 1789. Adams’ high reputation and standing with the Admiralty was confirmed when he was given the honour of choosing the name of one of his own ships in 1791; appropriately, he called her Beaulieu.
This introduction marks the start of an exciting new series – and next month, we’ll be exploring another fascinating chapter in Buckler’s Hard’s past.
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