History of dining at The Montagu Arms – blending the old and the new

Our history is a big part of what makes our Beaulieu hotel so special. It’s been part of the community, with an Inn on the site since the 16th Century. Back then it was known as The Ship – a bustling coaching inn, it was a popular meeting place for local parish officers and farmers. The Ship then became ‘The George’, and then in 1742, The Montagu Arms.

The Montagu Arms was at the heart of village life; playing host to annual Beaulieu Fairs and weekly markets from 1607; serving the community as a centre for timber auctions and even an annual cattle market up to around 1809.

In 1887, the original coach house building was raised down and re-built. Designed by the skilled local architect, W. H Mitchell, the building embraced arts and crafts style architecture, which is centred around craftmanship, simple, functional form and the use of natural materials.

Then, in 1926, architects Bizan and Fletcher added the new northeast wing, which is the form we recognise today. It was then that there was a shift; the hotel began offering more formal dining rooms for visitors as well as locals.

Over the years the hotel has welcomed a host of esteemed clientele, from writers, Sir H. Rider Haggard and Sir Arthur Conan Doyle to British actor Henry Irving and former French president General Charles de Gaulle. Pioneer of the automobile, Henry Ford, was also known to have dined at The Montagu Arms.

With such a history and reputation established, today we hope to continue to build upon what came before us, supporting our New Forest community whilst also offering a luxury hotel for guests from far and wide wishing to get a taste of what makes our village, and the National Park so special.

In the dining room of The Terrace the original features sing of our heritage; oak flooring, panelling, and aged brick fireplaces, whilst Monty’s offers the cosy feel of a classic village pub, welcoming muddy paws and wellies to find a comfortable spot and sit down to hearty dishes in great company.

Today we celebrate the spirit of the community and the delight that is, sharing great food and conversation, hoping it lives on in The Terrace and Monty’s for generations to come.

On your next New Forest hotel break plan your time around our upcoming event calendar, that we hope draws locals as well as hotel guests to join in; from Monty’s Pie & Pint Night to Live Music and a pub favourite - Quiz Night!

It’s through inspiring, seasonal cuisine that our chefs honour our heritage whilst never losing their creativity. And it’s through our team’s respect and love of our history, paired with exceptional service and attention to detail that we can continue to welcome guests, new and old.

We know that for many of our guests, whether they’re history lovers, couples or families, our hotel is a home from home. A comforting place from which they can explore, discover and create wonderful memories that we hope will last a lifetime.

So, with the sharing of great food and time together in mind, what’s on at The Montagu Arms this season?

Monty's Pie & Pint Night
Join us every Wednesday for Monty's Pie of the day served with a pint for just £25 - pre booking strongly recommended. (Small glass of wine of soft drink can be substituted for the pint)

Live Music in Monty's - 27th March 2026 | FROM 20:00
Join us for an evening of live music with John Burke on Friday 27th March at 8pm. Enjoy great music in the relaxed atmosphere of Monty's while you dine and unwind. (Tables for dining are strongly recommended.)

Monty's Quiz Night - 9th April 2026 | FROM 19:00
Test your trivia knowledge at Monty's Inn Quiz Night. Held every second Thursday of the month. The quiz kicks off promptly at 7pm with entry just £2 per person (cash only). Gather your team of up to 6 players and compete for the chance to win a two-course dinner for two – plus the winning team takes home the entry pot! (Food and drink are available to order at the bar throughout the evening.)