Beaulieu is a village in Hampshire that I would describe as being quintessentially English. With old cottages, boutique shops and surrounded by the picturesque New Forest National Park, it is a beautiful stop for a day out and home to the newest addition to the Mettricks family.
Beaulieu high street is lined with red brick cottages, with clay tiles, looking charming in the summer sun. Alongside the lovely old houses are small gift shops, an art gallery, cafes and chocolate shops, providing an interesting spot for afternoon musings and grabbing a bite to eat.
You may have seen from my Twitter or Instagram that Mettricks independent coffee and tea houses in Southampton are some of my favourite spots in the city to meet with friends, have a camomile tea and relax, or to write a blog post or two. As you can imagine, I was super excited to hear that Mettricks were opening a new coffee house in Beaulieu – one of my favourite places to visit in the New Forest.
My friend Sarah and I took the opportunity to pay the new Mettricks a visit, as well as enjoying a stroll around the village, spotting the New Forest donkeys and enjoying the last of the summer sun.
The vibe of the Beaulieu Mettricks is somewhat different to those based in the city centre, with cute shabby chic decorations and a cottage farmhouse look. Tourists and locals alike come here to chat to friends and take a break in their day for coffee and cake as well as perusing the range of gifts and coffee equipment on offer.
The atmosphere is warm and welcoming, with friendly staff, bright colours and a great spread of treats to indulge on. The menu is full of an array of options, with coffee and tea lovers alike almost spoilt for choice at the selection of beverages available. There is also a selection of freshly baked goods and a selection of ice cream if that takes your fancy!
Ever a lover of the homemade Mettricks cheese scones, I found myself enjoying my favourite snack whilst trying out the mango mango ice tea – perfectly refreshing for a summer’s day. 
I love the attention to detail at each of the Mettricks, with interesting artwork, objects and furniture providing quirky charm and character to the coffee houses. Mettricks Beaulieu has somewhat of a homely feel, where you can sit back and relax, watching the steady pace of New Forest life pass you by. The food and drink is always great quality, which is one of the reasons I’m sure to return time and time again.
If the weather goes in your favour, you can even sit outside, in the cute country courtyard adorned with gorgeous yellow flowers, matching the teacups!
After our visit to Mettricks we explored the village, stopping in a few of the cute gift shops, admiring the riverside and enjoying wild flower meadows. The New Forest is home to a range of wildlife including ponies and donkeys – frequent visitors in Beaulieu, who wander the streets and woods freely.
At the centre of the village, the Millpond of the tidal river is a great place to sit down for a picnic and bask in the sunshine, appreciating the natural beauty of the New Forest before going on to explore other nearby delights such as Buckler’s hard.
Thank you to Mettricks for opening another stunning gem of a coffee house in one of my favourite local villages! What a perfect sunny day to pay the New Forest a visit!
We even spotted the classic Mettricks yellow in the local wildflowers!
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