A sense of place
“the single largest and densest area of tranquillity in the National Park.” The New Forest National Park Authority
St Leonard's Grange is a historic site located close to Bucklers Hard, a charming village situated on the banks of the Beaulieu River in The New Forest.
The New Forest was created as a royal hunting ground by William the Conqueror in the 11th century. Over time, the forest has been used for timber production, farming, and recreation and now attracts visitors from around the world drawn to its natural beauty and rich history. The forest is a protected area, managed by the Forestry Commission and the National Park Authority.
There are many literary works associated with The New Forest best known among them is William Cobbett's "Rural Rides." Cobbett who travelled through the countryside on horseback, documenting the conditions of rural life in England. In "Rural Rides," he describes the beauty of The New Forest, as well as the struggles of the local farmers.
The house has all the New Forest Manorial rights of “Depasture” (the right to put out ponies, donkey, cattle, pigs etc) associated with the New Forest.
In the 18th century Bucklers Hard was an important ship building village. Bucklers Hard has been in the private ownership of the Montagu family since it was founded in 1724.
Getting About, Sailing, Shopping & Schooling
There are many moorings along the river and the marina has 110 deep-water berths. Within Bucklers Hard there is a hotel, restaurant and bar. The nearby village of Beaulieu provides a range of facilities including a general store, post office, newsagent, cafés, garden centre, hotel and Michelin starred restaurant. The Beaulieu River Sailing Club offers opportunities for sailing enthusiasts, as well as the Royal Southampton Yacht Club in St Leonards.
The nearby Georgian market town of Lymington offers a wider range of boutique shops, supermarkets, restaurants and gastro pubs, as well as two private marinas and the Royal Lymington Yacht Club. The luxury Lime Wood boutique country house hotel, famous for its spa and with a newly opened restaurant Hartnett Holder & Co, is 9 miles away. Its sister 'restaurant with rooms', The Pig, is just 7.5 miles with the award winning Relais & Chateaux Chewton Glen within 16 miles.
The New Forest, with 145 square miles of National Park heathland and woodland, offers not only outstanding natural beauty and wildlife, but also extensive walking and horse riding. There are a number of good schools in the area, including Hordle, Walhampton, Durlston Court and King Edward's in Southampton. Canford and Bryanston are within an hour's drive.
St Leonards Grange enjoys good communications, with the M3 to the north providing fast access to London and the A31/M27 making both Portsmouth and Bournemouth easily accessible. In addition, there is a fast train service which runs from Brockenhurst to London Waterloo taking about 98 minutes, Southampton Airport is within 20 miles, with a direct train service to London Waterloo (from 69 minutes) and Bournemouth Airport is 32 miles.