Beaulieu Abbey was founded in 1204, when King John made a gift of land to the Cistercian monks, an order founded in 1098 at Citeaux in France by St Robert. Already part of the King's hunting ground, it was the site of a hunting lodge and had the name 'Bellus Locus' Regis', the beautiful place of the King, and the monks who came over from France re-christened it in their own tongue 'Beaulieu,' pronounced Bu-lee as it is today. Visitors can see an exhibition of monastic life at the Abbey. Open all year, except Christmas Day. Tel: (01590) 612345, Fax: (01590) 612624
